Cape Breton Deaths March 29, 2011 Tuesday There are 8 obituaries published for today. John Joseph Walker Margaret Jean 'Peggy' Dunlap Anne Marie MacKinnon Mary Doucette Carol Kerr Wayne Merner Christine (Ramey) Wornell Michael Gerard Almond ******************************************************************************************************* John Joseph Walker Born In: Frenchvale, Nova Scotia, Canada Born On: 31/03/1933 Passed Away In: Frenchvale, Nova Scotia, Canada Passed Away On: 27/03/2011 Daddy's greatest joy in life was spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. It is with great sadness that a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend passed away early Sunday morning at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital. He was born in his family dwelling in Frenchvale, which was built by his parents, Donald and Mary 'Minnie' Walker. John will be dearly missed by his wife, Gabrielle; nine children, Johnny (Kathy), Louise (Lorne), Debbie, Danny (Darlene), Hughie, Darlene (Kenny), Wanda (Donnie), Denise, James (Staci) and Tracy McAllister (who was like a daughter to Da). He was also adored by his 18 grandchildren, Ryan, Tara, Danielle, Mandy, Gerard, Loree, Clayton, Tiffany, Caitlin, Stephen, Colin, Cassaundra, Kenneth, Amy, Laura, Gabrielle, Vanessa, Seamus; his three great-grandchildren, Kali, Patrick and Neil; as well as his three sisters, Mary Jeannette, Rhodena (Michael), Christina (Victor); his brother, Dougie (Andrea) and his dog and pal, Charlie. Besides his parents, John was predeceased by his brother, 'Little Danny', and his sister, Katie. John will be remembered by his family for his jigging along to his favourite fiddle tunes and telling his funny stories. His idea of a vacation was driving his tractor in the woods of Frenchvale. He was also fortunate to fulfill his lifelong dream of travelling to Scotland with Gabrielle this past June. John, known as Johnny by the men he worked with, was a millwright by trade who was able to repair almost anything. As well as being a very well respected worker, he was a devoted member of St. Mary's parish and a volunteer at the Frenchvale Volunteer Fire Department. We simply could not ask for a more loving father than Da. Visitation will be held Tuesday, March 29 at the S.W. Chant & Son Funeral Home, 564 Alexandra St., Sydney, from 5-9 p.m. Funeral mass will take place 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 30 at St. Mary's Church, Frenchvale, with Fr. Paul Abbass officiating. Cremation to follow. Online condolences may be sent to our web page at www.chantfuneralhome.com. ********************************* Margaret Jean 'Peggy' Dunlap Born In: Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia, Canada Born On: 04/04/1951 Passed Away In: Leitches Creek, Nova Scotia, Canada Passed Away On: 28/03/2011 It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Margaret Jean 'Peggy' Dunlap a resident of Leitches Creek, on Monday, March 28, 2011, at the An Cala palliative care unit of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney. A devoted wife, loving mother and nanny, sister and friend. Born in Sydney Mines, April 4, 1951, she was the daughter of Ellen Greta Brown and the late Norman Brown of Englishtown. Peggy was a graduate of Sydney City Hospital Nursing School and worked at both Harbour View and Northside General hospitals along with private duty nursing. Peggy was an avid gardener, loved nature, and was a true friend. She was a member of the St. Columba Ladies Auxiliary, and was known for playing Easter Bunny to her local friends in the community, for hosting tea parties and her compassion for the elderly. Besides her mother, Ellen, she will be sadly missed by her loving husband, James; and her daughter, Kim (Sean), Georges River; and son, Jamie (Mary), Fort McMurray; her three grandchildren, Emilly, Andrew and Molly, her "Sunbeans." Also surviving are her sisters, Norma Oster (John), Beverley, Vera; brothers, Bill (Diane), Bobby, Paul (Helen); many nieces and nephews; and her sister-in-law, Carla (Peter) Traynor. She will be missed and remembered by her best friend, Carol Anne Critchley, many friends at St. Columba United Church and the Cape Breastoners Dragon Boat Crew. As per Peg's wishes there will be no visitation or funeral service. Cremation has taken place. Arrangements are entrusted to the W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant St., North Sydney. Memorial donations may be made to the Cape Breton Cancer Center Patient Fund (Tom MacNeil). Online condolences may be sent to www.wjdooley.com. ********************************* Anne Marie MacKinnon Born In: Tientsin North, China Passed Away In: Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada Passed Away On: 27/03/2011 It is with great sadness that we the family announce the passing of Anne Marie MacKinnon on Sunday, March 27, 2011, at the An Cala Unit, Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney. Born in a Belgium Concession in Tientsin North China, where her father was employed as an engineer for the Belgium government. She was the daughter of the late Elie and Juliette (DeFooz) Martheleur. She was a member of Our Lady of Fatima Church. Anne Marie was a loving and kind person, who will be missed by all who knew her. She enjoyed volunteering with the Red Cross and the Canadian Cancer Society. Anne Marie is survived by her daughter, Julie (Barry) Banfield, New Brunswick; grandson, Robert Banfield, New Brunswick; brother, Ray (Barbara) Martheleur, Sydney, as well as three nieces and three nephews. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Donald, two sisters, Andree (Roald) Buckley, Sydney, Simone (Norman) Flahiff, Toronto. Cremation has taken place. There will be no visitation by request. A memorial mass will be held 2 p.m. Thursday, March 31 at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Sydney River. Interment to follow in Resurrection Cemetery, Sydney Forks. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Palliative Care, or the An Cala Unit. Online condolences may be sent to our web page at www.chantfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of ... ********************************* Mary Doucette Passed Away In: Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada Passed Away On: 27/03/2011 It is with broken hearts that we announce the passing of our sister and aunt. Mary Doucette, 60, formerly of Bridgeport and a resident of Glace Bay passed away Sunday, March 27, 2011, at the Glace Bay Hospital. Born in Glace Bay, Mary was the daughter of the late Victor and Thelma (Bresson) Doucette. She was a former member of Immaculate Conception Church, Bridgeport. Mary will be sadly missed by her sister and longtime caregiver, Theresa, Glace Bay; brothers, Tony (Gail), Bridgeport, Gerard (Brenda), Dominion, Paddy (Maggi), New York. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews. Mary's family would like to thank Dr. Stephanie Ellerker and the nursing staff of 3rd South at the Glace Bay Hospital for the care and professionalism shown to Mary over the past 13 months. Cremation has taken place. Visitation for Mary will be held 4-9 p.m. Tuesday, April 19 at V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 16 Reserve St., Glace Bay. A funeral mass will be celebrated 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 20 at Immaculate Conception Church, Bridgeport with Fr. Daniel Boudreau officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery. A luncheon will follow in the church hall, all are welcome. Online condolence to the Doucette family are available through www.vjmcgillivray.ca. "Those we love don't go away, They walk beside us everyday, Unseen, unheard, But always near." ********************************* Carol Kerr Born In: Whitney Pier, Nova Scotia, Canada Passed Away In: Howie Centre, Nova Scotia, Canada Passed Away On: 27/03/2011 With heartfelt sorrow, we announce the sudden passing of Carol Anne (Postlethwaite) Kerr on Sunday, March 27, 2011, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney. Born in Whitney Pier, she was the daughter of the late James and Bessie (Coleman) Postlethwaite. She was owner/operator of Merrill Kerr Construction since the death of her husband, Merrill in 1998. Carol is survived by her four children, Kristen (Bernie Eagles), Paul (Heather), Kyle (Callie) and Danyelle (Ray) and her grandchildren, Laura, Jonathan, Haley, Brody, Chloe, Karlie and Lia. She is also survived by her sisters, Marjorie Gill and Nora LeJeune (Lindsay); brothers, Jim (Norma), Tom and Bobby (Elaine); father-in-law, John Kerr. Besides her husband, Carol was predeceased by her brothers, Eddy, John Wallace and John Wayne; sisters, Marie Ratchford and Rosalie MacKinnon. In honouring Carol's wishes, there will be no visitation. A memorial service will be held at St. Albans Anglican Church, Whitney Pier, on Thursday 11 a.m., with Rev. Brenda Drake officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation. "Forever in Our Hearts" Condolences may be sent to the family at www.sydneymemorialchapel.ca. ********************************** Wayne Merner Passed Away In: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada Passed Away On: 24/03/2011 Wayne Francis Merner, 51, of Dartmouth, passed away suddenly Thursday, March 24, 2011 in Dartmouth. Leaving to mourn with fond and loving memories are his mother, Anne; sons, Wayne (Rhea), Adam (Samantha), Jason, Max and their mother, Jenny; Joseph and his mother, Nina; grandson, Bailey; brothers, Edward, Larry (Brenda), Garry (Lucy); sisters, Beverly (Darryl), Sharon (Greg), Sheila; several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father, Patrick; brother, Dennis; sister, Annie; sister-in-law, Carol. Cremation has taken place under the direction of the White Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Kentville and there will be no visitation, flowers or service, by request. Donations in memory may be to a charity of your choice. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Kentville. Online inquiries may be directed to www.whitefamilyfuneralhome.com. ********************************* Christine (Ramey) Wornell Born In: Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada Born On: 17/11/1924 Passed Away In: Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada Passed Away On: 24/03/2011 Christine A. (Ramey) Wornell, wife of the late Douglas M. Wornell, passed away Thursday, March 24, 2011, at the Cove Guest Home. Christine was born at Wolfville, N.S., on Nov. 17, 1924, daughter of the late William and Lulu (Bailey) Ramey. Christine came from a musical family and participated in musical theatre and radio in Sydney and was a member of the First United Church choir. She was a member of the IODE, UCW at First United Church and volunteered at the Cove Guest Home and Cape Breton Regional Hospital. Surviving are her stepchildren, Stuart Wornell, Chester and Linda Cooper (Robert), Oakville, Ont.; grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held at Sydney Memorial Chapel on Friday, April 1, 2011 from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. followed by a funeral service in the chapel at 2 p.m. Interment will take place in Forest Haven Memorial Gardens. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.sydneymemorialchapel.ca. ************************************ Michael Gerard Almond May 29, 1934 - March 26, 2011 It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Michael 'Mike' Almond, 76, an amazing husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. Mike passed away at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital in Sydney on Saturday, March 26, 2011. Born in Sydney, he was the son of the late Strickland and Julia (Whalen) Almon. A true gentleman, Mike's kindness extended to everyone around him. It began at an early age when he took in and cared for his mother and that kindness continued throughout his entire life. He was a role model to his entire family and extensive circle of friends always demonstrating the true meaning of respect and compassion. Handyman, painter, gardener, practical joker and pilot - just a few of the words used to describe Mike over the years. He had the same variety in his working career which spanned from Sydney to Boston and from a barber to the Sydney Steel Plant. He was blessed to have captured the heart of his true love, Alice, more than 50 years ago. Together they made a remarkable couple and complemented each other in every way. They lived life to its fullest especially enjoying their Saturday night dances, events with the gang and their jaunts to the casino where Mike always said the bells and whistles made his steps feel lighter. Mike's children were his greatest joy. He turned what was supposed to be his retirement home for two into a mini hotel to make sure his children and their families were comfortable when they came to visit. Christmas holidays, birthdays and summer vacations provided Mike with an opportunity to spend much loved time with his family and to impart words of wisdom to each. He will be remembered for his frank (and often unfiltered) advice but it was part of his charm that his children enjoyed not unlike the random newspaper clippings each would receive containing subtle hints on topics from health to home improvement after he read through a variety of newspapers each day. Mike was never - ever - without a notebook and was meticulously organized. He loved his role as Papa to his grandchildren and provided them with whatever they needed at the time - a funny face, an ice cream float or a hug. In recent years Mike expanded his family to include Bella, his trusted dog, who never left his side from morning to midnight. Hockey and skating were a big part of Mike's life. He was an avid Montreal Canadians fan and looked forward to his many hockey chats with his son Michael. He was a beautiful skater and cherished his time with the skating gang who he counted amongst his many friends. It was there he met his dearest friend Milton. Mike's grace on the ice carried through to the dance floor where he was a joy to watch. Mike is survived by his loving family including Alice his wife and dance partner for the past 50 years and five children: Charlene MacKinnon (Kevin), Halifax; Natalie Paris (James), Sydney; Deanna Gallaway (Dave), Halifax; Allison Donovan (Blair), Halifax and Michael Almond (Krista) Halifax. He was also proud Papa to his nine grandchildren - Sara, Clara, Destiney, Jarrod, Lauren, Matthew, Taylor, Brad and Julianne. He is also survived by one sister Genevieve (Walter MacKinnon). Michael was predeceased by his brother Daniel Almon and sisters Theresa MacDonald and Evelyn MacDonald. Visitation for Michael will be at T.W. Curry Parkview Chapel on Tuesday, March 29 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. with a funeral mass on Wednesday, March 30 at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Sydney River. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Parkinson Society Maritime Region or the Cape Breton Cancer Treatment Centre. The family extends its sincerest thanks to Dr. Paul Murphy, Dr. Yassar Chakfe and the nurses on the 4th Floor of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital who provided exceptional care to Mike during his most recent stay at the hospital and tremendous kindness and compassion to his family. On line condolences to www.twcurry.com ******************************************************************************************************* Cape Breton Deaths courtesy of CBGHA http://www.cbgen.org