Longtime harness racing industry participant John William 'JW' Beaton of Sydney, N.S. passed away on July 11, 2024, surrounded by his loving family at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital. He was in his 68th year.

Born in 1956 in Niagara Falls and raised in Port Hood, John William was the oldest of eight children of the late Donald Angus Beaton and Mary Florence (MacIsaac) Beaton. John Willie (JW) was well known throughout the island and touched a much wider circle throughout the horse community.

JW’s lifetime career was working in the construction industry as a masonry labourer and primarily worked for Brimac Masonry, but outside of work his real passion that never waned was for harness racing. Since he was a youngster, JW started attending the races in Inverness with his father. He would then begin going to the racetrack in Port Hood where he would help groom and jog horses and would spend many of his summers at Donmar Farms in Balls Creek under the guidance of Donald Rankin Sr.

After graduating high school, JW travelled to Pompano Park in Florida to work with the racehorses and would later receive his driver's license while working in Saint John, N.B. After working away for some time, JW returned home to Port Hood and started driving in Inverness. Since then, JW raced at all the tracks around the Maritimes, especially at Tartan Downs, Northside Downs, and Inverness Raceway, and has owned and trained Standardbreds with his wife Kim for many years. JW continued to catch drives for various other owners, totaling 993 lifetime wins, until his health issues began the last few years. JW has been inducted into the Cape Breton Horseman's Hall of Fame and has enjoyed his racing passion as it truly was a lifelong experience right up to his passing.

JW is survived by his wife, Kim (Robertson) of 37 years; son, Johnathan (Colleen) Beaton; two granddaughters, Isabel and Abigail Beaton; two brothers, Donald Francis, Port Hood, Anthony (Lisa) Beaton, Waterdown; and five sisters, Caddy (late Harold) Pond, Louise (Greg) MacInnis, Anita (late Danny) Gillis, Judique, Marcella (Brian) Ingraham, Port Hood, and Colina (Paul) Galan, Brampton; as well as his many nieces and nephews.

JW will be remembered for his story telling, humour, fullness of life, and love for the dance floor. JW will be immensely missed by all his family and friends.

The family would like to thank the many staff of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital and VON for their dedicated kindness and care.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to T.J. Tracey Cremation and Burial Specialists, 6 Churchill Drive, Sydney, 902-539-7175. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 17, from 3-6 p.m. at The Port Hood & Area Resting Place, 267 Main Street, Port Hood, and Thursday, July 18, from 3-6 p.m. at T.J. Tracey Funeral Home in Sydney.  Funeral mass will take place on Friday, July 19, 11 a.m., at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Sydney River. Donations in JW’s memory may be made to the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation or a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be sent to family by visiting tjtracey.com.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of John Willie Beaton.