Cape Breton Deaths April 20, 2011 Wednesday There are 7 obituaries published for today. Sara 'Rita' (Heron) Galliott Traynor Joseph Donovan Kenneth Robert Bruce Simpson Ralph Albert Lewis William Stefura Ruth Babcock Theresa Gillis ******************************************************************************************************* Sara 'Rita' (Heron) Galliott Born In: Harbour le Cou, Newfoundland, Canada Passed Away In: Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada Passed Away On: 17/04/2011 Rita passed into the loving arms of God and was reunited with her beloved husband, Gerald (Bud) Galliott, on April 17, 2011. Uncle Bud entered heaven on April 16, 1958. Rita was the daughter of the late Albert and Selina Heron of Newfoundland. She was a member of St. Mary's Anglican Church. Aunt Rita moved to Glace Bay from Harbour le Cou, N.L., at a young age and became a loving wife, friend and neighbour to all who knew her. Aunt Rita resided on Cameron Street for most of her adult life where she kept the hands and feet of children, mail and paper carriers warm with her knitted socks and mittens. Aunt Rita leaves behind her sister, Lydia Francis, Newfoundland; and her sister-in-law, Vera Atkinson, Glace Bay; as well as several nieces and nephews, Visitation will be held for Rita Galliott in Patten Funeral Home on Wednesday, April 20, 2011, from 1 p.m. until service at 2 p.m. in Patten Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Vernon Reid officiating. Burial in Forest Haven Memorial Gardens. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.pattenfuneral.co ********************************* Traynor Joseph Donovan Born In: Ingonish, Nova Scotia, Canada Passed Away In: Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada Passed Away On: 18/04/2011 It is with broken hearts that we announce the sudden passing of Traynor Joseph Donovan at his home in Glace Bay on Monday, April 18, 2011. Born in Ingonish, Traynor was the son of the late Florence Beatrice Doyle and Thomas James Donovan. Traynor's mother passed away when he was only five years of age. Traynor and his siblings were then cared for by his grandparents, Joseph Doyle and Margaret (Young) Doyle who he was very close to. Later to prevent the children from going to foster homes, Traynor's half brother, Duncan Donovan and Traynor's aunt, Frances Cooke, who lived in Sydney, where Duncan was a fulltime employee of the Sydney Steel Plant, moved back to Ingonish to raise the children and keep the family unit together. Traynor became particularly close to his half brother and aunt, Frances. Left to mourn are his sons, Traynor (Valerie), Oromocto, Donnie (Janice), Glace Bay; daughters, Anne (Simon), Glace Bay, Mary (Clifford) Desveaux, Glace Bay. Also surviving are his treasured grandchildren, Kyle, Connor, Emily, Evan, Robbie, Brandon, Patrick, T.J., Brian and Wayne; great-grandchildren, Kaitlin, T.J., Owen, Charlotte and Tyson; and many nieces and nephews. Traynor was predeceased by the love of his life, wife, Anne (Keylor), who he adored, and a son, Thomas. Traynor was also predeceased by brothers, Earl, Isadore and sisters, Irene and Theresa. Traynor left Ingonish at the age of 14. He arrived in Sydney working odd jobs. As he grew older, he worked as a crane operator at the Sydney Steel Plant. In the mid 1950s, he became manager of Scotts Hardware in Ashby where he met his longtime best friend, Joe Waye. Together they started the country and western band, the T.R. Ranch Boys that ruled the radio and TV airways for 10 years in the 1950s & 60s. Traynor was hired by CJCB TV in 1966 which later became ATV & CTV until he retired after 25 years of service in 1991. One of Traynor's biggest thrills was meeting and becoming friends for over 40 years with his boyhood music idol, Hank Snow. Traynor was often referred to as Cape Breton's own version of Hank Snow and was widely known as a pioneer in music in Cape Breton. In 1996 the T.R. Ranch Boys won an ECMA for pioneers in country music. However, the most important part of Traynor's life was that of a family man. He always put family first, especially his beloved wife of 53 years, Anne, who he adored. Traynor was a man of deep faith and although he loved and lived life to the fullest his strongest love was to be one day be reunited with his beloved wife, Anne. He will be sadly missed by family and friends and as Traynor would always quote a Hank Snow song, "I'm movin on". Visitation for Traynor Donovan will be held 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Saturday, April 23 and Sunday, 5-9 p.m. in V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 16 Reserve St., Glace Bay. A funeral mass will be celebrated 10 a.m. Monday, April 25 at St. Anne's Church, Glace Bay, with Fr. Bill Rankin officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery. A luncheon will take place in the church foyer, all are welcome. Family flowers only please. Donations in Traynor's memory may be made to a charity of choice. Online condolences to the Donovan family are available through www.vjmcgillivray.ca ********************************* Kenneth Robert Bruce Simpson Born In: Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada Born On: 26/12/1959 Passed Away In: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada Passed Away On: 17/04/2011 Kenneth Robert Bruce Simpson passed away peacefully in the Palliative Care Unit of the V.G. in Halifax on April 17, 2011. He was surrounded by those he loved, and those who loved him. He was born in Sydney, N.S., Dec. 26, 1959, to Dr. Gordon and Betty (Nunn) Simpson. Kenny is survived by his sweetheart and wife of nearly 29 years, Diane (Gibbons); and his adored sons, Alex and Adam. He leaves behind many who will miss him dearly, his parents Dr. Gordon and Betty Simpson; in-laws, Art and Ruth Gibbons; sisters, Barb MacKillop (Dr. Jim) and children Ian, Craig and Laura, and Debbie Martin and children Brent, Kirk and Jilliane; and brothers Lorne (Janet) and children Chris and Shawn, and Barry (Wendy and her children Max and Jessie). Kenny was a special nephew to Vera Simpson of Hunter River, P.E.I. He graduated from Sydney Academy in 1978, and went on to The University of King's College to earn a BA with honours in Political Science (1981 &1982). In 1984 he received his Masters in Public Administration from Dalhousie University. He began his career at the Maritime Municipal Training and Development Board, and spent the last 20 years as executive director of the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities. Always a joy to be around, Kenny was always up for a glass of red wine, a good Hanukkah party, a walk on the beach or a family gathering. His awesome sense of humour is something the entire family has always enjoyed. Even during his illness, he brought many laughs to family and friends. No visitation by request. Funeral Mass will be at Saint Thomas Aquinas Church, 1725 Oxford St., Halifax on April 26 at 10 a.m. Family flowers only. Donations to either the Canadian Cancer Society or an animal charity of your choice would be greatly appreciated. ************************************ Ralph Albert Lewis Born In: Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada Passed Away In: Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada Passed Away On: 18/04/2011 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Ralph Lewis our loving husband, father, grandfather and brother. Ralph died suddenly at his home in Sydney on Monday, April 18, 2011, at the age of 61. Born in Sydney, the son of the late Warren and Theresa (Power) Lewis, he was the eldest of eight children. In his teenage years he worked side by side with his father for Chappell's Construction. Then, at the age of 19, he joined the Air Force, where he served for 21 years before retiring due to injury at the age of 40. Determined to not submit to his injuries, Ralph kept busy puttering in his garage and yard or helping friends and family with their latest projects. Ralph could turn his hand to any task, and in the eyes of his grandchildren "Poppy could fix anything". His greatest source of joy was his family. Whether it was a shoulder to cry on or a helping hand he was always there for those who needed his help. Ralph was faithful member of St. Joseph's parish and will be missed by many. He is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Deborah (Martell); and their two children, Stacey (Chris) Boutilier, Sydney, and Todd, Grande Prairie, Alta.; as well his grandchildren, Rhys and Caleb Boutilier, and stepgrandchildren, Adam and Caitlin Boutilier. He is also survived by his stepmother, Rose (Gillis) Lewis; and his five sisters, Anne Philpot (Les Dancsecs), Margaret (Danny) Roach, Mary (Steve) Ash, Warna (David) MacNeil and Grace Patterson (Dave MacDonald); two brothers, Joe (Carol) Lewis and Eddie Lewis (Shelly Lockhart); and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by brother-in-law, Fred (Carol) Martell; sisters-in-law, Judy Martell, Marie (John) Drohan, Eunice (Clarence) Stang, Marie Nugent and Sally (late Leo) Martell. Visitation will be held at T.W. Curry Parkview Chapel on Monday, April 25 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral mass to be celebrated at St Joseph's Church on Tuesday April 26 at 11 a.m. followed by reception in the foyer. Memorial donations may be made to The Cape Breton Regional Hospice Society, The Cape Breton Cancer Clinic or charity of choice. Online condolences to www.twcurry.com. "Heavenly Father hear my prayer, Guide our father with tender care, Dear Shepherd don't leave him alone, Love him in heaven as we do at home." ************************************** William Stefura Passed Away In: Gardiner Mines, Nova Scotia, Canada Passed Away On: 18/04/2011 With much sadness, the family of William Stefura announce his peaceful passing on Monday, April 18, 2011, at the Glace Bay Hospital. A full obituary will be published in Thursday's edition of this newspaper. Arrangements are under the direction of Curry's Funeral Home, Glace Bay. ************************************************* Ruth Babcock Born In: Black River, Nova Scotia, Canada Passed Away In: New Minas, Nova Scotia, Canada Passed Away On: 17/04/2011 Ruth Althea Babcock, 87, of New Minas, passed away Sunday, April 17, 2011 at home. Born in Black River, Kings County, she was a daughter of the late David and Jennie (Nowlin) Long. She was employed as a bookkeeper in the Halifax area for several years and was then employed with Fit-Rite Clothiers. She was a former member of the Sydney United Baptist Church. She is survived by a sister, Madge (Garnet) McPhail-Melanson; two brothers, David and Jim (Lois), both of Black River; a sister-in-law, Doris MacKnight, Fredericton, N.B.; several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Harold; a sister, Grace Allen. There will be no visitation, by request. The funeral service, followed by a reception, will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 23, 2011 in the White Family Funeral Home, Kentville, Rev. Mark Shaw officiating. Burial will take place in the Black River Cemetery. Donations in memory may be made to the Black River Community Centre or the 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. ****************************** Theresa Gillis - 80 yrs, Sydney - Mary Theresa Gillis was the daughter of the late Daniel and Sarah A. (MacDonald) Gillis. ******************************************************************************************************* Cape Breton Deaths courtesy of CBGHA http://www.cbgen.org