Cape Breton Deaths courtesy of CAPE BRETON GENEALOGY & HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION VISIT OUR WEBSITE - <http://www.cbgen.org/ <http://www.cbgen.org/>>www.cbgen.org <http://www.cbgen.org/> NEW MEMBERS WELCOME Cape Breton Deaths June 25, 2016 Saturday There were 9 obituaries published today Robert Pickrem - 48 yrs Shirley May (Kozera) Syms - 71 yrs Florence Parrott - Memorial Service Theresa Della Vella - 98 yrs Leonard Currie - 76 yrs Marie Fudge - Graveside Committal Service Ruth Sarah Salter - 105 yrs John Clement MacNeil - Beverly C. Gaigneur - 78 yrs Robert Pickrem Born In: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada Born: March 19th, 1968 Passed in: Sydney It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Robert Scott Pickrem, age 48 of Sydney, N.S. Robert was born in Halifax, N.S. on March 19, 1968. Robert was a former Residential Care Worker for many years in Halifax, a career which he spoke of very proudly. Robert is survived by many family and friends including his daughter who he frequently spoke of with great pride. Robert spent his last weekend enjoying gardening, treats and sunshine with his many friends at Breton Ability Centre. Robert’s humour and smile will be greatly missed by staff and residents. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Chants Funeral Home. Shirley May (Kozera) Syms Born In: Sydney Passed in: Sydney Passed on: June 23rd, 2016 It is with broken hearts that we, the family, regrettably announce the sudden passing of Shirley Syms, 71, on Thursday, June 23, 2016 at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Sydney, Shirley was the daughter of the late Peter and Loretta Kozera. Left to mourn is Shirley’s loving husband, Adrian Syms; stepson, Francis (Monica); stepdaughter, Corina (Billy); grandchildren, Rory, Carter, Auvney and Connor; brothers, Walter and Bernie (Judy) Kozera; as well as many loving nieces and nephews with special thanks to Dolly and Wendy for caring and compassion during her illness. Besides her parents, Shirley was predeceased by her sister, Betty Ann and brothers, Donald and Frank Kozera. Shirley Worked at MacLeod’s Bookstore for most of her working career, where she made many lasting friends. Shirley was fun loving compassionate woman who will be sadly missed by all. Visitation and memorial service to celebrate the life of Shirley May Syms will be held at Pier Community Funeral Home, 1092 Victoria Rd. (entrance on Church Street) on Monday, June 27, 2016. Please refrain from wearing perfumes for the celebration will be scent free. A gathering of family and friends will take place from 10 - 11 a.m. with service to follow at 11 a.m. in the All Faith Chapel with Archdeacon Brenda Drake officiating. Light refreshments will be served in the reception area following the service. Shirley will be laid to rest in Resurrection Cemetery, Sydney Forks. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Shirley may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. The family gives a special thank you to the caring staff on floor 3A and the ICU unit of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Pier Community Funeral Home. Online condolences may be forwarded to the family at www.pierfuneralhome.com. You are gone from us now but your memory will remain in Our Hearts Forever. Florence Parrott A memorial service will be held at Curry’s Funeral Home, Main Street, Glace Bay for Florence Parrott at 2 p.m. on June 30th. There will be a family presentation at 1:30 p.m Theresa Della Vella Passed in: Dundas ON Passed on: June 21st, 2016 On Tuesday June 21, 2016, our Mom, Theresa Della Vella, a resident of St. Joseph’s Villa in Dundas, Ont. passed away at the age of 98. She was born in Sydney (Whitney Pier), where she and her husband Norman raised their family-Richard, Joan and Martin. Eventually she moved to Hamilton to spend her remaining days with her daughter Joan. Prior to her move to Hamilton, she was predeceased by her husband, Norman and her eldest son, Martin. She was born on Feb. 11, 1918 and is survived by her remaining family, Joan and Richard, her brother, Frank as well as six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews, who will all miss her dearly. Special thanks to the nursing staff of the Maple Grove wing at St. Joseph’s Villa for the kindness, patience and care they provided to our Mom during her stay at the Villa Leonard Currie Passed on: June 22nd, 2016 It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother, brother-in-law and friend. Leonard Currie, 76 years of age, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, June 22, 2016. Leonard is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 50 years, Betty (Crosby) Currie; two adoring daughters, Francine and Meggie, along with his sons-in-law, Sean Burke and Glenn MacIntosh. Leonard is also survived by his pride and joy, his grandchildren, Liam Burke and Cate Burke, who fondly referred to him as “Pip.” Leonard was the youngest child of the late Malcolm and Margaret Currie. He is survived by his sisters, Thelma Mackie, Margaret Treige and Donna Currie. He is also survived by sisters-in-law, Theresa Currie and Peggy Currie. Leonard was also a beloved member of the Crosby family including Agnes and Bernie Hayes, Mary Crosby, Ronald Crosby and Norma Steele along with Frankie and John Darragh. He is also survived and admired by many nieces, nephews and friends. In addition to his parents, Leonard was predeceased by his sister, Nora MacNamara, Patsy Roach, Anglorm Currie, Anna Currie and brothers, Neil, John, Ambrose, Gerald, Joseph and Allister. Leonard began his career in the car business at the age of 17 as an autobody technician with Steele City Sales, Sydney. Following a workplace injury, Leonard sold cars at Steele City Sales, MacIntyre Chev Olds and Scotia Crystler. It is a career he remained in until his retirement, at the age of 67, from Highlands Chevrolet in Glace Bay. Throughout his career, Leonard enjoyed making a good deal, meeting a good friend and telling a good story with many customers and friends that lasted a lifetime. Leonard was a loving man who enjoyed spending time with his family. He loved family vacations, trips to the hockey rink, soccer field and baseball field, where he was always Liam and Cate’s biggest fan. Leonard had a passion for antique cars and miniature horses, hobbies that kept him busy and close to home. In keeping with Leonard’s wishes, cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held at Curry’s Funeral Home, Glace Bay on Sunday, June 26th from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. A funeral will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, June 27th at St. Joseph’s Church, Reserve Mines. Donations in Leonard’s memory can be made to the St. Joseph’s Cemetery Fund, the Cape Breton Cancer Centre or Palliative Care Cape Breton. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.currysfuneralhome.com. Marie Fudge Born In: Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia, Canada Passed in: North Sydney A graveside committal service for the late Marie Fudge who passed away Jan. 12, 2016, will be held Monday, June 27th at 1 p.m. at Lakeside Cemetery in North Sydney with Rev. Julio Martin officiating. Arrangements under the care and direction of W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, North Sydney. Ruth Sarah Salter Born In: Sydney Mines Passed in: Blondeau ON We regret to announce the passing of Ruth Sarah Salter at Carillon Manor, Chute a Blondeau, Ont., where she had resided for the past five years. Born in Sydney Mines, N.S., she was the daughter of the late Jack and Sarah MacLeod. Ruth was105 when she passed away. Born into the world of horse and wagon she lived through two World Wars, a Depression and many incredible changes in our way of life. Through it all she was always positive, never worried and had great faith that all would be well. She was a lovely, kind lady. In early married life she was involved as a member of the St. Matthew United Church and various community organizations. She was an avid bridge player with a special group of friends. She loved to travel and was always ready for a new adventure. But her family was her pride and joy and she took great pleasure in cooking for them and hearing about their lives. She will be greatly missed by her daughter, Joan (Jonathan) Kirton, Rigaud, Que. And her son, Joseph (Sharon) Salter, Sydney Mines, N.S.; four special grandchildren and beloved great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Lois Laporte, Florida and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Roy Salter; three brothers, Lloyd, Ernest and Gordon MacLeod and two sisters, Florence Grandy and Ethel Mercier. Interment will be at Lakeside Cemetery at a later date. John Clement MacNeil Born In: Benacadie Pond Passed in: Sydney Passed on: June 22nd, 2016 It is with great sadness that we, the family, announce the passing of our brother, John Clement MacNeil on June 22, 2016, at Harbourstone Enhanced Care Center. Born in Benecadie Pond, he was the son of the late Malcolm J. and Christie (MacKenzie) MacNeil. John is survived by his sisters, Adeline (Duncan), Ann, Florence (Leo), and Helen (George), sister-in-law, Peggy. He is also survived by nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his brothers, Malkie, Mickey, Jimmie and Bernie. Cremation has taken place. A graveside committal will be held on Tuesday, June 28, 2016 at 2 p.m. in St. Barra’s Cemetery, Christmas Island with Fr. Joe Ambrose MacNeil officiating. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.chantfuneralhome.ca. Beverly C. Gaigneur Born In: Glace Bay Passed in: Ottawa, Canada Passed on: June 22nd, 2016 Peacefully at West End Villa on Wednesday, June 22, 2016 at the age of 78 years. Born in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia she was the daughter of the late George and late Laura Higgins. She is survived by her daughter Clare, her son in law Don, her sister Donna Walford of Kingston, her brother Eddie Higgins of Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, her nephew Stephen and her niece Laureen. She was also predeceased by her nephew B.J. Higgins. The family will receive friends at McEvoy-Shields Funeral Home, 1411 Hunt Club Road (at Albion Road), on Monday, June 27, 2016 from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, June 28, 2016 in the Chapel at 11 am, followed by cremation. Interment of ashes will be at Notre-Dame Cemetery. In memoriam donations to the Heart & Stroke Foundation would be appreciated.