Cape Breton Deaths October 13, 2010 Wednesday There are 6 obituaries published for today. Carl 'Gerald' Ryan Michael 'Mickey' MacNeil Muriel Lauretta Boyd Caroline (Griffiths) Spurvey Robert Russell DeMarco Mary Ellen (Hood) Christiansen ******************************************************************************************************* Carl 'Gerald' Ryan Born in: Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada Passed away in: Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada Passed away on: 11/10/2010 Carl Gerald Ryan, 81 of Sydney, passed away peacefully on Monday, Oct. 11, 2010 at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney. Born in Sydney, he was the son of the late Carl D. and Mildred (Cox) Ryan, Sydney. He worked in the insurance business starting with his father at C.D. Ryan and Son Insurance in 1950. Gerald continued in the business along with several other ventures, eventually retiring in the early 1990s. Gerald loved to hunt and fish and his times on the Mira and in Florida were very special to him. He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, the former Catherine MacMullen; son, Greg of Sydney, with whom he resided; daughter, Debbie (Ken Conrod), Dartmouth; brother, Bernard (Susan), Seattle and by several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law and nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother Donald (Helen) of Thunder Bay. Visitation for the late Mr. Ryan will take place on Thursday, Oct. 14, 2010 from 7-9 p.m. at T.W. Curry Parkview Chapel. Funeral service will take place on Friday at 11 a.m. at T.W. Curry Parkview Chapel. Interment in Hardwood Hill Cemetery, Sydney. Donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society, SPCA or charity of choice. Special thanks to Dr. J. MacKillop, nurses and staff of 4A, Cape Breton Regional Hospital. Online condolences to www.twcurry.com. ************************************** Michael 'Mickey' MacNeil Born in: Rear Big Beach, Nova Scotia, Canada Born on: 19/10/1924 Passed away in: Leitches Creek, Nova Scotia, Canada Passed away on: 11/10/2010 It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Michael Joseph 'Mickey' MacNeil, 85, of Leitches Creek, formerly of Rear Big Beach, on Monday, Oct. 11, 2010. Mickey was a resident at Taigh Na Mara in his final year of life, and passed away at the Glace Bay General Hospital. Born on Oct. 19, 1924, Mickey was the son of the late John Roderick and Elizabeth (MacInnis) MacNeil. Mickey was a life-long military man, originally joining the Cape Breton Highlanders at the age of 15 to serve his country in the Second World War, and was well decorated for his service. Following the war, Mickey continued to serve in the Canadian army, overseas and domestically, a mechanic by trade. He eventually settled back home in Leitches Creek following the death of his first wife, Sheena to take care of his only child, Heather. He was an avid gardener throughout his life, with a general affinity for the outdoors. He also loved Scottish fiddle music. He was a member of St. Columba United Church in Leitches Creek for many years. Mickey was a very humorous person, with a dry wit and a story for every occasion. He was definitely loved by those whose lives he touched over his 85 years of life. He is survived by his daughter, Heather (MacNeil) MacSween, Leitches Creek; his two grandchildren, Lindsay MacSween, Leitches Creek and Michael (Jamie Crane) MacSween, Leitches Creek and Halifax; his stepchildren, Nelson (Rose) Martell, Glace Bay, Thelaine (Dan) Boudreau, Florida; his step-grandchildren, Monica (Edwin) Boudreau-Townsend and Shawn Martell; his step-great-grandchildren, Miles and Alka Virick, Leitches Creek, Brittany and Danielle Palmer, Halifax; his sister, Kay (Bernie) Brown, Sydney; sisters-in-law, Annie T. MacNeil, Big Beach, Mary MacNeil, Shenacadie; Nellie (Fred) Gallop, Leitches Creek, and numerous nieces and nephews. Finally, he is also survived by his good friend, Margaret Shaw. Besides his parents, Mickey was predeceased by his first wife, Sheena (MacKenzie) MacNeil in 1969 in Scotland, and his second wife, Thelma (Beaton) MacNeil in 2004. He was also predeceased by his brothers, John Murdock and John Alex, sisters, Florence and Lucy, and finally, his son-in-law, Sandy MacSween, who passed away in 2004. The family would like to sincerely thank the caring staff of Taigh Na Mara where Mickey was well taken care of and the third floor of the Glace Bay General where there was no lack of effort on their part to take care of Mickey in his last days, which comforted him and his family. In honouring Mickey's wishes, cremation has taken place, and there will be no visitation. A funeral service to be held at St. Columba United Church in Leitches Creek on Thursday, October 14, at 3 p.m., with Rev. Thomas Whent officiating. At his request, Mickey's ashes will be spread at his family property in Rear Big Beach at a later date. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.sydneymemorialchapel.ca. ************************************* Muriel Lauretta Boyd Born in: New Port Station, Hants Co., Nova Scotia, Canada Passed away in: Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada Passed away on: 11/10/2010 It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of Muriel Boyd on Monday, Oct. 11, 2010, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney. Born in New Port Station, Hants County, she was the daughter of the late Earl and Daisy (Rhodnizer) Fletcher. Muriel was a member of United Baptist Church of Sydney. She was a member of the Steelworkers and Sydney Pensioners Club as well as several darts leagues and she was an avid tarabish player. She will be sadly missed by all who knew her. Muriel is survived by her companion and friend, Greg Chiasson; her two sons, Terry (Debbie) Boyd, Iqaluit, John (Pam) Boyd, Dartmouth; her six grandchildren, Chris, Matthew, Josh, Andrea, Karla, and Olivia; her one precious great-granddaughter, Brianna. Muriel is also survived by her sisters, Esther Fownes, Moncton, Georgie (Jack) Walsh, Berwick, Audrey (Lloyd) Lyttle, Ellershouse, Daisy Taylor, Hillsborough; brother, Elroy (Kathy) Fletcher, Amherst; sister-in-law, Kaye Boyd; as well as many nieces and nephews. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, James Boyd, one sister, Margie; two brothers, Earl and Laurie. Visitation will take place Thursday, Oct. 14, 2010, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the S.W. Chant & Son Funeral Home, 564 Alexandra St., Sydney. Funeral service will be held Friday, Oct. 15, 2010, in the funeral home chapel, with Rev. Bob Hussey officiating. Reception to follow. Interment at a later date. Donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation and Canadian Cancer Society. Online condolences may be sent to our webpage at www.chantfuneralhome.com. ************************************ Caroline (Griffiths) Spurvey Born in: Grand Falls, Newfoundland, Canada Born on: 16/02/1926 Passed away in: Nova Scotia, Canada Passed away on: 11/10/2010 It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our dear mother, Caroline Spurvey at York Manor, on Monday, Oct. 11, 2010. Born in Grand Falls, N.L., she was the daughter of the late Michael and Theresa Griffiths. The family moved to Sydney when she was a small child. She lived there until 1994 when she relocated to Fredericton, N.B. to live with her daughter. Caroline was a homemaker raising eight children. She loved to travel and enjoyed listening to country music. Caroline is survived by her eight children, Rita Henry (Ron), Fredericton, N.B., Angela Taylor (Bernie), Guelph, Ont., Lillian Warren (Ken), Sydney, N.S., Carol Grice (Tim), Niagara Falls, Ont., Deborah Pearse (Michael), Burlington, Ont., James (Grace), Fredericton, N.B., Garry (Wanda), North Sydney, N.S., Dennis (Donna), Sydney, N.S.; 20 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Caroline was predeceased by her loving husband, Matthew, son, Donnie, sister, Genevieve, brothers, Michael and Thomas. Visitation will take place Thursday, Oct. 14 at the S.W. Chant & Son Funeral Home, 564 Alexandra St., Sydney from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 15 in the funeral home chapel with Fr. Conrad Edwards officiating. Interment to follow in Resurrection Cemetery, Sydney Forks. Online condolences may be sent to our webpage at www.chantfuneralhome.com. ********************************* Robert Russell DeMarco Born in: Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia, Canada Born on: 19/05/1956 Passed away in: River Bennett/Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia, Canada Passed away on: 11/10/2010 It is with great sadness and broken hearts that we announce the sudden passing of Robert Russell DeMarco, of Sydney Mines, on Oct. 11, 2010, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Sydney Mines on May 19, 1956, he was the son of Carmen and Ethel (Slade) DeMarco of Sydney Mines. Russell made many friends over the years when he worked for Devco, at the Prince Mines and also as a pipefitter in Alberta. He is survived by his loving wife and best friend, Vera Brown. He will be sadly missed by his six children, Shane (Angela), Belinda (Richard), Tammy (Bobby), Bradley, Lee and Garrett; and his grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Brandon, Samantha, Emma and Keenan. Russell is also survived by three sisters and three brothers, Carmelita (Brian) MacLeod, Marie (Bernie) McCuish, Brenda (Lou) Marinelli, Greg ( Roberta), Ray (Valerie) and John; and many brothers and sisters-in-law; along with many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his two brothers, George and Stan. Russell will especially be missed by his special friends, Arnold and Angela MacDonald, and Brad Lynk. Visitation for Russell DeMarco will be held in the J.M. Jobes Funeral Home, 635 Main St., Sydney Mines, on Thursday, Oct. 14 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. A private family service will take place at a later time. Donations in Russell's memory may be made to the Indian Brook Volunteer Fire Department or to a charity of one's choice. Words of comfort may be sent to the family at jmjobesfuneralhome@ns.aliantzinc.ca. ************************************ Mary Ellen (Hood) Christiansen Born in: Bras d'Or West, Nova Scotia, Canada Born on: 06/03/1913 Passed away in: Exeter, Ontario, Canada Passed away on: 24/09/2010 Mary Ellen Christiansen (Hood), 97, passed away Friday, Sept. 24, 2010, at South Huron Hospital, Exeter, Ont. Born March 6, 1913, in Bras d'Or West, C.B., N.S., she was the daughter of the late Wilson and Maria (Ross) Hood. Mary graduated from the Grace Maternity Hospital and worked in Halifax, Truro and Toronto. Upon retirement Mary and her husband Pete moved to Grand Bend, Ont. where she resided until December of 2009 and was then a resident of Exeter Villa Nursing Home. Mary enjoyed playing cards and entertaining friends and had a great love for animals especially for her dog Jodi who lived to be 17 years old. Mary is survived by sister, Aerise MacMillan (Hood); brother, Mullins Hood; four nieces and five nephews. Mary was predeceased by her husband, Peter Christiansen, sister, Adeline Sturmy (Hood), brothers, John, Joseph, Robert and William Hood. Keeping with Mary's wishes, cremation has taken place with no visitation or church service. A graveside service will be held at Pinery Cemetery, Grand Bend, Thursday, Oct. 14 at 2 p.m. with Rev. Dave Dutiegani officiating. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of T. Harry Hoffman Funeral Home, Dashwood, Ont. Donations can be made to Exeter Villa Nursing Home or charity of one's choice. ******************************************************************************************************* Cape Breton Deaths courtesy of CBGHA http://www.cbgha.org