Cape Breton Deaths October 07, 2010 Thursday There are 3 obituaries published for today. Agnes Jessome Mary (Markadonis) Vihos Michael Freeman Fitzgerald ******************************************************************************************************* Agnes Jessome Born in: Bras d'Or, Nova Scotia, Canada Passed away in: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada Passed away on: 04/10/2010 Agnes died peacefully at the Palliative Care Unit in Halifax on Monday, Oct. 4, 2010. Born in Bras d'Or, Cape Breton, Agnes was the daughter of the late Edward and Cassie (MacDougall) Jessome. Agnes leaves behind a special family she loved dearly, brother-in-law, Daniel Merlin; nieces, Lynn (Barrie) Romkey, Turks & Caicos, Maryann (Bob) MacMillan, Ottawa; nephews, Brian (Shirley) Merlin, Dartmouth, Dale Merlin, Ottawa, Paul (Yannerys) Merlin, Halifax and a very special nephew, David (Holly) Merlin, her godson, for his wonderful, gentle care, compassion and dedication. Agnes is also survived by her sisters, Millie Brown, Lynn (Jim) Hines, Pat Harrietha and brothers, Lonnie, Barry (Deloris) and Don (Sheila). Agnes was predeceased by her sisters, Peggy Taylor, Josephine Merlin, Claire Jessome and her brothers, Dan, Sandy and Gus. Agnes also leaves behind many loving nieces and nephews as well as many great and great great nieces and nephews who thought the world of her. Agnes settled in Halifax and first worked at the dockyard. She later became a buyer in the scarf and glove department at Simpsons and then later the Bay until her retirement. Agnes was a devote Catholic and a pillar at both St. Agnes parish and St. Mary's Cathedral Basilica. Agnes enjoyed traveling the world but her greatest joy was visiting her beloved home stead of Mill Creek. The family would like to express their sincere thanks and appreciation to Dr. Shauna Archibald, Dr. Rebecca DeCoste, The VON, Northwood continuous care and the palliative care unit, for their unbelievable professional and compassionate care. To help celebrate her life, a memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, Oct. 8, 2010 at St. Agnes Church (6903 Mumford Road, Halifax). This will be followed by a reception at the parish hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Agnes' memory to the Palliative Care Unit or any charity of your choice. "God has called her to paradise where she will be taken care of for all time." Online condolences may be sent to: www.jasnowfuneralhome.com. ***************************************** Mary (Markadonis) Vihos Born in: Greece Born on: 17/05/1911 Passed away in: Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada Passed away on: 16/09/2010 The time has come to say good-bye to the matriarch of the pioneer Markadonis family, Mary Vihos, who at 99 recently passed away to join her beloved husband of 72 years, Nick Vihos. In their long married life they were parted only for a short time by illness but reunited in a nursing home for their special care needs. Being with him again was her greatest fulfilling happiness in their togetherness in the last two years. Uncle Nick passed away in April at 101 years. Aunt Mary for the last six months found it more unbearable to be without him than to make it to her centurion status as his partner. She joined him willingly when he came to "check in on her" in her "dreams" this past month. Aunt Mary was the last of her immediate family. She came to Canada with her mother and siblings in 1917 to join her father and oldest brother, Steve, who arrived in Canada in 1914. She was educated in Glace Bay, learning the language and played an active part in the family businesses, as well as home life, prospering as well in every cultural and social opportunity that the mining community of Glace Bay had to offer. She studied music, played piano and violin and could teach both. Both she and her sister, Jennie loved their music in their home and social environment. Aunt Mary and Uncle Nick were married in 1938. She at that time lost her Canadian citizenship because Nick was in the Merchant Navy of Greece and she had to reapply for hers and his citizenships to be again in Canada as Canadians. They celebrated their life together in both Canada and Greece and they had the best of both worlds - but no children. In their union they baptized, help guide and inspire all their relatives children, throughout the years. Aunt Mary knitted for every baby born in their community on both sides of the Atlantic and kept entertaining all their nieces, nephews and godchildren, on both sides of the family, by word, action and example, to be the best they could be. In her immediate family she was predeceased by her brother, Emmanuel at sea (1917), while travelling to their new country of Canada; her father, George in 1947; mother, Helen in 1958; brother, Nick in 1987; brothers, John, Anthony and Steven, between '88 - '89; Jennie, her only sister, born in Canada, died in 2008. Mary's nieces and nephews surviving her are Helen Xidos (Steve's daughter), Eleni Chronis Wade (Jennie's daughter); Billy Chronis (Jennie's son), Von, George and Nick Markadonis (John's sons), Argena and George (Tony's children) and so very close to her also were Nick's nieces and nephews, Katherine Farmakoulas and Emmanuel Xidos, Laodiki (Vicky Xidos) Lutwick, Socrates, Manuel and Loulouthe Kambouris, Catherine Kambouris, Loulis Vihos, Teena Vihos, Lakis Vihos. Mary's godchildren are Jeremy Chronis, Dino Sophocleous and Steven Vihos, here in Canada and many others in Greece. All were so very close to Aunt Mary and Uncle Nick, their numerous visits, calls throughout the years reflected the love and devotion they shared for them which was unending - as theirs was to them! For all of us, Aunt Mary and Uncle Nick were the fibrous backbone of our community and they were the perpetual force of its sustainability. We miss you so much Aunt Mary and Uncle Nick - but we know because of you all was well for us who loved you here on earth - as it is with you both now in Heaven. We can't thank enough the wonderful and continuous care giving by Dr. David Ley and his staff and the wonderful caregivers who made life at their home so enjoyable for the devoted couple. And to the staff of Seaview Manor - for successfully managing to continue "their togetherness" at the end of their lives together. They were an exceptional couple and managed to embrace love and caring wherever they were - thank you all so very much for caring and sharing. To all the early pioneer families and their present offspring - Aunt Mary and Uncle Nick would like to say a sincere thank you for making their lives of work and care together such a wonderful experience; and Cape Bretoners a wonderful part of their lives. Thank you and Good-bye! Visitation Friday, Oct. 8, 2010 at Curry's Funeral Home, Main Street, Glace Bay. Funeral will be Saturday, Oct. 9, 2010 at 2 p.m. at St. Anargyree Church, Marconi Street, Glace Bay. Interment at Forest Haven. Flowers optional or donations to a charity of your choice. *********************************** Michael Freeman Fitzgerald Born in: Dingwall, Nova Scotia, Canada Born on: 19/04/1922 Passed away in: Dingwall, Nova Scotia, Canada Passed away on: 06/10/2010 Mike died peacefully surrounded by family in Buchanan Memorial Hospital on Oct. 6, 2010. Surviving is his wife of 64 years, Jessie (MacEachern) Fitzgerald, Dingwall; sons, Charlie (Marie), Cape North, Wayne (Dodie), Sugar Loaf, Richard (Cindy), Dingwall; daughters, Diane Burpee, Alberta, Claire (Rick) Hatcher, Neils Harbour, Kaye (Gary) Fitzgerald, Smelt Brook; 14 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, cousins, sisters and brothers-in-law; halfsister, Effie Courtney, Cape North; and special sister-in-law, Pauline Chubbs, Dingwall. He was predeceased by parents, Caleb and Sarah (Duggan) Fitzgerald. Mike was the youngest and last member of the Fitzgerald family. He was also predeceased by brothers, John, Murray, Emery, Alex, Freeman and Pat, sisters, Abbie, Sadie, Margaret, Freda and Eliza. Mike left school at an early age to help at home. He was a member of the Royal Canadian Army during the Second World War and served in Canada. Returning home he worked at many jobs including the Gypsum Quarry in Dingwall, mechanic for the local garage, fished with his nephew Kelly Fitzgerald and his last job was with his brother-in-law, Austin Dowling, Dowling Construction in Dingwall, where he worked as a truck driver and heavy equipment operator. He retired from this job at the age of 67. Dad was a quiet man and loved having his family close by. He loved dogs, especially his poodles. We will miss his stories from the past and seeing him out tinkering around the yard. We love you dad, grampy, Mike. Visitation will be held 7-9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 8, with funeral service 2 p.m. Saturday both in St. Joseph's Church, Dingwall. Fr. Dan MacDonald will officiate. Online condolences may be made at fillmoreandwhitman.com. ******************************************************************************************************* Cape Breton Deaths courtesy of CBGHA http://www.cbgha.org