Owen John Combden
February 2, 1945 to November 3, 2024
Obituary
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Owen John Combden, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle, who left us on November 2, 2024. He was a man of great strength and determination, known for his remarkable foresight and unwavering dedication to his family.
Owen was born in Little Harbour on February 2nd, 1945, to Eliol and Rosie Combden. He was a man of many accomplishments. Owen started his early life in the small community of Little Harbour, Fogo Island, where his family were employed in the inshore fishery. After obtaining his high school diploma he attended college in St. John’s and obtained a Power Engineering diploma in 1963, eventually culminating in a 2nd Class Power Engineering designation. After several years working at Corner Brook Pulp and Paper and Wabush Mines, he moved back to Fogo Island to pursue his dream of starting a retail building supply operation. Opening in 1973, Fogo Island Home Hardware and Building Supplies would be his passion for the remainder of his life. He thoroughly enjoyed supporting and interacting with thousands of customers, and dozens of employees. Over the years he continued to expand his operations to include residential and commercial contracting, as well as the founding of OAR Cablevision, the first residential cable company to operate on Fogo Island. Through hard work, determination, and vision, he would ensure that Fogo Island Building Supplies and its supporting companies would go on to serve the people of Fogo Island for over fifty years.
Above all, he cherished his family. He was a devoted husband and father and loving grandfather, finding immense joy in spending time with all of us. He loved hunting, fishing, tending to his garden and plants, playing darts, and cards with his family. He was a skilled pool player, always ready for a game and was rarely met with defeat! Later in life, his focus was on his grandchildren, he welcomed any opportunity to spend time with them and took great joy in introducing them to new things and was continually proud of their early accomplishments.
Owen is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Mabel, their three sons Owen Jr. (Shianne), Andrew (Simone), Richard (Bita) and their six grandchildren; Maria, Kitchener, Daria, Claire, Gabriel, and Brayden. His siblings Gerald (Grace), Winston, Lorne, Matilda (Frank), Anne (Bob), Molly (Frank), and Derek (Bonnie) as well as a large circle of nieces and nephews. Owen is predeceased by his parents Eliol and Rosie and sibling Donald.
We would like to express a sincere thank you to nurses Jamie and Jessica and the wonderful team at the Coronary Care Unit in the Health Science Centre. Dad was provided with exemplary care in his final hours, and we are grateful for the support provided to us at that heartbreaking time.
Dad will be remembered not only for his achievements but also for the love he shared with all who knew him. His legacy will live on in the hearts of his family and we will forever carry his love and wisdom with us for all of our days.
A private funeral service will be held at Carnell’s Funeral Home in St. John’s, NL at 11am on Thursday November 7th, 2024. Interment to follow at the Anglican Cemetery on Forest Road.
Schedule
funeral
11:00am, Thursday November 7th
The Carnell Memorial Chapel
329 Freshwater Road
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Sincerest condolences to Mabel and family on owen’s passing. I well remembers when Wilbert and I lived in fogo how he and Owen would enjoy a game of pool on lots of occasions. Take comfort in all your good memories.
Hilda sheppard
So very sorry to hear of Owen’s passing. Sending condolences to his family.
Molly,Frank and family,
So sorry to hear of the passing of your brother.,Thinking of you at this time,
Barbara Barbour
To Molly and Frank, sorry to hear about your brother’s passing. Please accept my condolences.
Mable and family,Ford and I are shocked and deeply saddened to hear of Owens passing. Sending you all our deepest condolences,keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.Owen will be remembered with gladness.
To Mabel and all family:
It is with sad and heavy hearts that Donna and I express our condolences to you and your family. It was hardly ever Home Hardware that we went to. It was always “up to Owens”. As a family relative of Owen’s and long time friends we extend sincere condolences to you and your family.
Please accept our sincere condolences on the passing of such a vital family member. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
To Mabel and family: we are saddened to hear of cousin Owen’s passing,, and extend heartfelt condolences. God bless, Eric and Ruth Witcher
Dear Mabel and family. I am deeply saddened to hear of Owen’s passing. He was a wonderful man and while I haven’t seen him in a few years, I have lovely memories of our chats and his kindness and respect. May your joyful memories give you peace and comfort during this very sad time. He will be missed. Rest in Peace, Owen. God bless.
Mabel & family :: So shocked to hear about the sudden passing of Owen !!! We would like to share our sincere sympathy & condolences to all your family at this very difficult time . Owen displayed great leadership & commitment to his business & community over the years leaving behind a great legacy ! He always made time to have a friendly chat whenever the time allowed .
He will be sadly missed !! RIP. Owen
To Mabel and family.
Saddened and shocked to hear of Owen’s passing.
Whenever we crossed paths there was always lots of chatting.
My mom often told me of her visits to your Mom’s house( Mrs Bridge) and often times you and Owen would be there.
I’m sure there were lots of laughs during those visits.
Another memory from Tilting was of all the trips to “ OWEN COMBDEN’S” for building supplies.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this very sad time. God Bless. Bridget , Jerome and family. Gander.
Dear Mabel,
I write on behalf of the Osprey Condominium Corporation. As neighbours and friends we extend our heartfelt condolences to you,, Owen Jr, Andrew, Richard and families. From his obituary we see that Owen was a very successful business man. It was a pleasure to have chats with him over the past year. But due to his illness we have not seen much of him this past few months.We regret that we were not able to get to know Owen better since his retirement. We can, however, offer you any assistance you may need in the future. Do not hesitate to reach out if you need anything. With sincere regards, Roseanne Veitch on behalf of Osprey Condominium Corp
Dear Mabel, your children and the Combden and Burke families,
Bill and I were sorry to hear of Owen’s passing. He was a force in all he did in his life. What a beautiful tribute in his obituary ! He was always glad to see us when visiting Fogo
May God bless you in your days to come and keep his memories in your hearts always
Korona and Bill Brophy
Dear Manle and family,
Mable and family, Joe and I are so sorry to hear of Owen’s passing.Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this sad time.
Dear Mabel and Family:
Our sincere condolences on Owen’s passing. I always enjoyed my visits to Fogo Island Home Hardware Building Centre and the time spent with Owen. He was a pleasure to work with and he loved the Hardware and Building Supply business and more importantly, he loved his family. He would always talk proudly about his family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. God Bless
Mabel and family, my deepest condolences to you and your family on the death of your dear Husband and Father. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Owen, Shinanne & Family,
My condolences to you and your family on the loss of your dad. Your wonderful memories, of him and times you spent together, will help you through the times ahead.
Take care,
Cynthia & Jamie
My condolences to you Mable,Owen jr.,Andrew,Richard,spouses and grandchildren. I am sure Owen will be well missed. A well respected businessman. God Bless and take care Jim McKenna and family.
Mabel my sincere condolences to you and your family.
You are in my thoughts and prayers..
Shirley
Andrew, Simone, Maria and Claire
So sorry to hear of your dads passing. We want to send our deepest condolences to you and your family during this sad and difficult time. Nothing can ever prepare you for these moments. We hope you can take comfort in the great memories you all shared with your dad and in time these memories may help ease the pain. His legacy will live on through you and there is no doubt he could not be prouder. May he rest easy.
Greg, Melanie, Jack and Ava
Andrew, Simone, Maria and Claire, so sorry to hear your sad news on the passing of your love one.No matter the age, you feel life is unfair, no one is ever ready to say good bye . . I hope when you are having a rough day, a wonderful memory comes to you, and brings a smile to your face. . Cherish your memories, thinking of you all in during this difficult time.. Noel and Patricia
Condolences to his family
Mabel and family.
Max and I are thinking of you in this difficult time
May his memories comfort you.
We will always remember the long chats we had with him at Home Hardware
Owen fly with the angels. RIP
On behalf of my sisters Mary, Olive, Beckie ,and Phyllis we sent condolences and sympathy to Owen’s family at this time. Growing up on Combden’s Point in Little Harbour we have many fond memories of a very important time in our lives.. Where we came from was a very important factor of whom we became.
May my cousin Owen rest in peace and his memory be a blessing for all of us who knew him.
George Combden
Ann my condolences to you and all your family.I met Owen once when I was with you.he was so friendly.RIP Owen.
Mabel and family
We are sorry to hear of Owen’s passing. Sending our deepest sympathies to you and your family.
Bill Walker and Kim Petley
To Mable &Family ,&.Owen’s Siblings
Sorry for the passing of Owen
Always.had a.great chat with.him when I visited his store
Thinking of you all as you travel the rest of Life ‘s journey without him
God Bless
Ethel Anthony