Cape Breton Deaths June 16, 2011 Thursday There are 8 obituaries published for today. Irene MacKinnon Francis Gerard Keagan Edna Lacina Fisher Bernard 'Bernie' Gillis John Stevens Kenina Martin Alice Guy Michael Jabalee ******************************************************************************************************* Irene MacKinnon Born In: Lake Ainsle, Nova Scotia, Canada Passed Away In: Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada Passed Away On: 14/06/2011 It is with heavy hearts that we, the family, announce Irene's peaceful passing on Tuesday, June 14, 2011, at the Cove Guest Home, with her family by her side. Born in Lake Ainslie, Nova Scotia, she was a daughter of the late David and Annie MacKinnon. Irene was a loving wife, mother, nanny and friend to all who knew her. She is survived by son, David MacKinnon; daughter, Kathy (Michael) Peters; grandchildren, Jennifer (Wally) McKinnon, John MacKinnon, Michael (Laurie Don) Peters, Lisa Peters, and six great-grandchildren. She is also survived by sisters, Agnes Meeley, Mary (Bill) Egan and Cindy (Stewart) Munro. Irene was predeceased by beloved husband, Allister MacKinnon and siblings, Edgar MacKinnon, Lauchie MacKinnon, Lena Bermingham and Sheila MacPhail. Irene will be remembered for always putting others before herself and for lighting up a room with her wit and charm. She devoted her life to her family, her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, were the pride of her life and she loved them dearly. She will hold a special spot in all of our hearts and will be remembered always. A special thank you to the wonderful and caring staff at Seaview Manor, Glace Bay, and the Cove Guest Home, Sydney, where Irene had resided over the past year. Visitation for Irene will take place in Sydney Memorial Chapel, 49 Welton St., Sydney, N.S., Friday, June 17, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral service will be celebrated 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 18, at Sydney Memorial Chapel, Rev. Thomas Whent officiating. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.sydneymemorialchapel.ca ******************************************* Francis Gerard Keagan Passed Away In: Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada Passed Away On: 12/06/2011 We the family regret to announce the sudden passing of Francis Gerard Keagan on June 12, 2011, at home. Francis was employed at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital for many years as an LPN, and greatly enjoyed playing and listening to music. He is survived by his mother, Joan (Cobb) Keagan; three children, Amber (Sean), Erin and Jeffery Keagan; brothers, Cecil (Judy), Abbie (Charlotte) and Reg (Karen) Keagan. Francis will also be missed by many nieces and nephews. Francis was predeceased by his father, Lloyd Keagan of North Sydney. Visitation will take place Friday, June 17 from 2-4 p.m. with a memorial service to follow at 4 p.m. in the S.W. Chant & Son Funeral Home Chapel, 564 Alexandra St., Sydney, with Rev. Sheldon Chant officiating. Donations can me made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation in Francis's memory. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.chantfuneralhome.com. ******************************************* Edna Lacina Fisher Born In: Dominion, Nova Scotia, Canada Passed Away In: Dominion, Nova Scotia, Canada Passed Away On: 14/06/2011 With broken hearts and profound sadness, we announce the sudden passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, Edna Lacina (Forbes) Fisher of Dominion. Mom passed away Tuesday, June 14, 2011, at the Glace Bay Hospital, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Dominion, she was the daughter of the late William and Maude (Hicks) Forbes. Mom spent most of her life in Dominion and for a short time resided in Boston, Mass. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. Edna was a member of the Church of the Good Shepherd, Dominion. In her younger years, Mom enjoyed working as a cleaner for local businesses and the elementary school in Dominion. Mom was an active member of the community, playing darts with the Sandbar Ladies Dart League, Dominion Pensioners Dart League and the Shamrock Ladies Dart League. Mom loved to cook and bake for her family; we will always remember her infamous German chocolate cake. Mom was well known throughout the community and on her 65th birthday she was presented with a fireman's hat from the former mayor, Arthur MacDonald. Once illness kept Mom at home, she enjoyed spending time with her family, playing dice, cards and watching the Screaming Eagles, Boston Bruins and the Red Sox. She was very fond of and loved by her pets. Edna is survived by her loving daughters, Leona (Joe Dezagiacomo), Susan (Lawrence Wilson), with whom she resided, Ruth (Joe Campbell), Wanda (Neil Coles), Marilyn (Ernie MacGillivary), Roberta; and Edna's only son, Jamie (Laurie Jury). Mom is also survived by her grandchildren, David (Yvonne) Dezagiacomo, Melanie Smith, Jenna Smith (Kevin Withrow), Terilynn (Dill) Kuruppu, Lauren Wilson (Mike Keylor), Ashley, Steven, Ernie and Crystal MacGillivary, Cheryl and Allan Ward, Scott and Emma Fisher, Rene Jury. Also surviving are her great-grandchildren, Megan Ward, Keaton and Ciara Fisher, Leah Withrow, Dante MacGillivary; as well as many nieces and nephews. Mom was predeceased by her first husband, David Kendall, second husband, James Fisher, brothers, Will, Lloyd, James, Norman, sisters, Edna Cecilia in infancy, Frances Fraser, Mary Alice Messenger and Hannah Fortune. As per Mom's wishes, cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held Friday from 2-4, 7-9 p.m. in the V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 16 Reserve St., Glace Bay. The funeral service, officiated by Rev. Vernon Reid is Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. in the Church of the Good Shepherd, followed by a reception in the church hall. Family flowers only. Memorial donations in memory of Edna may be made to the Church of the Good Shepherd. Online condolences to the family can be expressed at www.vjmcgillivray.ca. Mom was a great friend and will be deeply missed by all who had the pleasure of being in her presence. ***************************************** Bernard 'Bernie' Gillis Born In: Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada Born On: 21/07/1944 Passed Away In: Inverness, Nova Scotia, Canada Passed Away On: 13/06/2011 Bernard Joseph 'Bernie' Gillis, 66, of Inverness, formerly of Gillisdale, passed away in Inverness Consolidated Memorial Hospital, on Monday, June 13, 2011, with family by his side. Born in Sydney on July 21,1944, he was a son of the late Peter and Josephine (Wludyka) Gillis. Bernie is survived by his wife, Geraldine; stepchildren, Angela (Franco) Liberatore, Shamus (Jill) MacDonnell, Sean (Elizabeth) MacIsaac, Patrick (Susanna) MacIsaac; Gail MacKinnon (who was like his daughter); brothers, Peter (Patsy) Gillis, Duncan (Carmen) Gillis, Stanley (Joanne) Gillis; sisters, Cathy (Richard) Barrington, Lorraine (Patrick) Romard; grandchildren, Thomas (John Henry), Lauren, Marcus, Matteo, Molly and Emily; aunt, Stella; several cousins; many nieces and nephews; special friend, Ian Poirier. Cremation has taken place and there will be no visitation by family request. A private family burial will take place at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to Central Inverness Palliative Care Society. Online condolences may be made to www.invernessfuneralhome.com. ******************************************* John Stevens It is with great sadness that we, the family of Johnny Stevens, announce his peaceful passing on Wednesday, June 15, 2011, surrounded by his family at the palliative care unit, Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney, following a brief battle with cancer. Born in Sydney, Johnny is survived by his mother, Helen (Wasik); sisters, Carol MacKinnon (Roland), Brenda McGrath (Gerard), Kathy Robertson (Eddie), Connie Howe (Lonnie). Also surviving are several nieces and nephews and his special friend, Margie. Johnny was predeceased by his father, John and brother, Thomas in infancy. Johnny loved to fish, play darts and tarabish, working on cars. He had a strong love for animals. Johnny had a huge heart and was always willing to lend a helping hand whenever needed. Johnny loved hockey and was a huge Detroit Red Wings fan. There will be no visitation. A memorial service will be held at Sydney Memorial Chapel on Friday, 1 p.m., with Rev. Dr. Albert Maroun officiating. Interment in Resurrection Cemetery. Family flowers only, please. Memorials may be made to the SPCA or a charity of your choice. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.sydneymemorialchapel.ca. "Grieve not, nor speak of me with tears, but laugh and talk of me as if I were beside you there." ****************************************** Kenina Martin Born In: Marble Mountain, Nova Scotia, Canada Born On: 22/12/1922 Passed Away In: Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada Passed Away On: 15/06/2011 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Kenina Alice (MacDougall) Martin, 88, in the Milford Haven Home for Special Care in Guysborough, on June 15, 2011. Born in Marble Mountain, Cape Breton, on Dec. 22, 1922, Ken was a daughter of the late John and Alice MacDougall. Ken spent some of her early life in Washington, D.C., where she honed her secretarial skills. She married her lifelong love, Lyle Martin, in Sydney in 1948. She devoted the rest of her life to her family. She and Lyle moved to Antigonish in 1981 to be near her daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren. Following her husband's death in 2004, she suffered a debilitating stroke the following year and moved to the Milford Haven Home, where she became part of another caring family. Ken is survived by her daughter, Margaret Starzomski and dear son-in-law, Larry, Antigonish and three adored grandsons, Brian (Aimee Pelletier), Victoria, B.C., Kevin (Mandy), Antigonish and Stephen, Halifax; two great-granddaughters, Brenna and Lauren and a great-grandson, Zachary; sister, Ruth (Frank) Munn, Truro; two nieces and a nephew. Besides her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her sister, Margie MacDougall and brother, Hugh. Cremation has take place. By request, there will be no visitation. A private family service will be held in Lime Hill Cemetery, Marble Mountain, at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Milford Haven Home for Special Care or the Antigonish Women's Resource Centre. Ken's family would like to thank all the staff at the Milford Haven Home for their continuing care and compassion for the last years of Ken's life. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the C.L. Curry Funeral Home, Antigonish. Online condolences www.clcurry.com. ******************************************** Alice Guy Born In: North Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada Born On: 11/02/2011 The funeral service for the late Alice Guy, a resident of the Northside Community Guest Home, who passed away Feb. 11, 2011, will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 18, 2011, at St. Matthew Wesley United Church, North Sydney, with Rev. David Luker officiating. Burial will follow in Lakeside Cemetery, North Sydney. Online condolences may be sent to www.wjdooley.com. ********************************************* Michael Jabalee Born In: Ottawa Brook, Nova Scotia, Canada Born On: 28/03/1928 Passed Away In: North Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada Passed Away On: 14/06/2011 It is with great sadness and deepest regret we, the family, announce the sudden passing of our loving and wonderful father at home on Tuesday, June 14, 2011. Born in Ottawa Brook, on March 28, 1928, he was the son of Michael and Anne (nee Deveau) Jabalee. Michael was a loving and caring father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend who will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He was a very loving father who was devoted to his children and family, especially to his special son, Peter. He was a businessman in North Sydney, for almost 60 years, starting off by working with his uncles in a grocery store and clothing store, before starting his own restaurant business, "The Coffee Pot." Later opening up another business, "The Handy Andy," which he operated for almost 35 years, and later on a tire store. Besides Michael being a devoted family man, his other love was harness racing. He traveled the Maritimes with his father since he was a young boy, to various race tracks and his passion for horses and harness racing stayed with him until the end. He was a third degree member of the Knights of Columbus Fr. William Kiely Council 5109, and a member of St. Joseph parish, North Sydney. There weren't too many people around the Northside area that didn't know Michael and his love of telling stories and also the great knowledge and history of North Sydney. Michael is survived by his loving children, Paul (Amanda) Jabalee, with whom he resided in Groves Point, George (Laura) Jabalee, Groves Point, Anne (Richard) Walsh, North Sydney and Peter Jabalee, New Waterford. He is also survived by his two sisters, Mona (nee Jabalee) Siepierski, Sydney Forks and Brenda Colburn, North Sydney; his grandchildren, Kassandra, Christina, Ainsley, Mitchell and Michael. He was predeceased by his parents, Michael and Anne Jabalee; his wife, Gloria (nee Mehanna) and sisters, Shirley Jabalee and Suzanne Serroul. Visitation for Michael will be 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today (Thursday), in the W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant St., North Sydney. A funeral mass will be held 2 p.m. Friday, at St. Joseph Church North Sydney, with Rev. Jake Andrea officiating. Burial will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the N.S. Heart and Stroke Foundation or any charity. Online condolences may be sent to www.wjdooley.com. ******************************************************************************************************* Cape Breton Deaths courtesy of CBGHA http://www.cbgen.org