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 07, 2016 Tuesday There were 11 obituaries published today William Craig “Bill” Finney - 71 yrs Gerard Cameron MacDonald - 63 yrs Loretta Beaton - 75 yrs Gloria Janet Ferguson - 86 yrs Ronald Patrick “Ronnie” LeBlanc - 64 yrs Mary “Louise” MacDonnell - Heather Elaine Turner - 57 yrs Mary Cassidy - 90 yrs Margaret Roberta Sexton - William Kevin “Billy” Faulkner - 40 yrs Elizabeth “Betty” (Hill) Greene - 72 yrs William 'Bill' Finney Born In: Sydney Mines Born: July 18th, 1944 Passed in: North Sydney Passed on: June 5th, 2016 It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of William ‘Bill’ Craig Finney on June 5, 2016 at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital in Sydney, after a lengthy duel with cancer. Bill was born in Sydney Mines, July 18, 1944, he was a son of the late George and Sarah (Fisher) Finney. He was a skilled oil burner mechanic, gardener, woodcraftsman, painter and pianist. Bill was always ready to lift the spirits of those in need by lending a hand, offering advice, or telling a great story about his adventurous younger years. His wit and work ethic were matched by his warm heart and deep perspective. Having faced cancer three times, Bill cherished each day and took each step forward with a smile of determination, especially on trips to Home Hardware and the garden centre as he planned his next project. On the rare occasion he rested, Bill loved long drives through the country and could often be found getting lost in the pages penned by his favourite authors, surrounded by his favourite sweet treats. Bill is survived by his best friend and loving wife Catherine (Hillier) Finney; sons Craig (Karen) and Gordon (Kim); daughters Tracy and Lindsay (Glen) Cross; his grandchildren Aaron, Kristen, Grayson, Jeffrey, Jason (Krista) and Christina; countless nieces and nephews who he loved dearly and his favourite four-legged friends, Jersey and Sailor. Besides his parents George and Sarah Finney, he was predeceased by brothers Alfred and James Finney and sister Beatrice Mulley. Deepest thanks are extended to long time family doctor, Dr. John Kirkpatrick whose encouragement, humour and care will never be forgotten. To the many doctors, nurses and staff at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital and the Victoria General Cancer Clinic in Halifax who provided exceptional care with kindness and compassion and to the many family members, friends and neighbours who have been there for our family through this difficult time. Visitation will be held 7-9 p.m. Wednesday in the W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant St., North Sydney. A celebration of his life will be held 3 p.m. Thursday at St. John the Baptist Anglican Church with Rev. Julio Martin officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society and the Northside Community Guest Home Foundation. Online condolences may be sent to www.wjdooley.com <http://www.wjdooley.com/>. “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” Gerard Cameron MacDonald Born In: New Victoria Born: October 31st, 1952 Passed in: New Victoria Passed on: June 5th, 2016 On June 5, 2016, surrounded by his loving family, Gerard passed away peacefully. Born Oct. 31, 1952 in New Victoria, he was the son of the late Charlie R. and Margaret (Cameron) MacDonald. In January of 1974 Gerard went on to join the RCMP, posted for training in Regina, then on to postings in NFLD, PEI, and Nova Scotia. In 2009, he retired to Cape Breton with the love of his life, Debbie. There, he enjoyed playing hockey three times per week, watching his Montreal Canadiens in the winter, travelling to southern destinations, and in summer spent his time in South Cove at the cottage with family, friends, and grandchildren. Gerard is survived by his loving wife, Debbie (Crowe) MacDonald of New Victoria; daughter, Kelly (Todd) Bannister; son, Ryan (Johanne) MacDonald; grandchildren, Piper and Jordyn; brothers, Ron (Lois) MacDonald of South Cove, Gerald (Valerie) MacDonald of Moncton; sister, Terry (Les) LeDrew of Gander Bay, N.L.; brothers-in-law, Wayne (Barb) Crowe of New Waterford, Shaun (Bill Wilson) Crowe of Sydney and David (Michelle) Crowe of New Waterford; many nieces and nephews near and far who Gerard loved dearly. He was privileged to have many of them by his side to support, love, laugh and cry with him through his final days, as well as receiving loving messages from those afar, who were not able to be here. He was preceded in death by parents Charlie R. and Margaret MacDonald; brother Charlie MacDonald and sister-in-law, Claudia (Sweeney) MacDonald; parents-in-law Douglas and Eileen Crowe. Gerard will be fondly remembered for his dedication to family, his love for hockey and his Montreal Canadiens. Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held on Wednesday evening from 5-9 p.m. in V.J.McGillivray Funeral Home, 380 Smith St., New Waterford. A funeral mass to celebrate Gerard’s life will take place on Thursday, June 9, at 10 a. m. in the Parish Church of St. Leonard, formerly Mount Carmel Church, Mount Carmel Avenue, with Fr. Ray Huntley officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, New Victoria with a luncheon to follow at the KOC Hall, Plummer Avenue, New Waterford. Memorials in Gerard’s memory would be gratefully accepted by the Canadian Cancer Society, An Calla Palliative Care, or charity of one's choice. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.vjmcgillivray.ca <http://www.vjmcgillivray.ca/>. Go Habs Go! Loretta Beaton Born In: New Waterford Passed in: Brantford Ontario Passed on: May 27th, 2016 Loretta Beaton, 75, died peacefully in Brantford, Ont. on May 27, 2016, with her two children, Kevin and Leslie Ann present. She was the daughter of the late John and Beatrice of New Waterford. Surviving siblings are Mable, Irene, Isabel and Alban. Donations in her memory may be made to the Glaucoma Research Society of Canada, 1929 Bayview, Toronto, Ont., M4G 3E8. Gloria Janet Ferguson Born In: Sydney Born: February 11th, 1930 Passed in: Caribou Marsh Passed on: June 5th, 2016 We, the family of Gloria Janet Ferguson, a resident of Seaview Manor, Glace Bay, formerly of Caribou Marsh Road, regret to announce her passing on Sunday, June 5, 2016, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney. Born Feb. 11, 1930, in Sydney, she was a daughter of the late Frank and Mildred (Purves) Burt. Gloria is survived by her daughter, Pauline (Richard) MacQueen, Front Lake Road; sons, Roy, Caribou Marsh, David (Helen), Sydney and Sandy (Wanda), Edwardsville; sister, Pauline (Jack) Benjamin, Kitchener, Ont.; grandchildren, Erin, Audrey, Lance, Karla, Lee, Sasha, Kayla and Krista; eight great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, Alexander and brothers, Cecil, Murray and Owen. Visitation will take place at Sydney Memorial Chapel on Wednesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. A graveside service will be held at Oakfield Cemetery on Thursday 1 p.m., with Rev. Robert Lyle officiating. Memorials may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society. Words of comfort can be sent to the family at www.sydneymemorialchapel.ca <http://www.sydneymemorialchapel.ca/> or e-mail sydneymemorialchapel@ns.sympatico.ca <mailto:sydneymemorialchapel@ns.sympatico.ca>. Ronald Patrick 'Ronnie' LeBlanc Born In: Sydney Mines Born: March 11th, 1951 Passed in: Sydney Mines Passed on: June 6th, 2016 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear father and husband, Ronald Patrick LeBlanc, on Monday, June 6, 2016, at his home. Born in Sydney Mines on March 11, 1951, Ronnie was the son of the late Leander and Violet (Tremblett) LeBlanc. Ronnie will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He was a well-known fisherman. He started fishing with his father Leander at a very young age. He fished off the shore of Ocean Street, and eventually bought the boat he always wanted, known as ‘Rockin Ronnie.’ He also fished out of the Ballast Grounds in North Sydney. Ronnie and Betty were together since they were teenagers, and married for 45 years. They raised three beautiful children, and are a very close family. Ronnie was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend. He leaves behind to mourn his loving wife Elizabeth ‘Betty’ (Forrest) LeBlanc, and his children Shane (Juanita Gracie), Ron (Patricia Squarey) and Cindy (Chris Eyking). Also surviving are his grandchildren Josh, Mason and Tyler LeBlanc, brother William LeBlanc, sisters Philomena Gaudet and Hilda (Hector) MacKinnon, a special niece that was like his sister, Marlene Brogan, and special sister-in-law Sarah (Lally) Forrest. Besides his parents, Ronnie was predeceased by his brother Isiah ‘Sie’ LeBlanc, and sister Annie Mae Steffens. Visitation for Ronnie LeBlanc will be held on Wednesday, June 8, 2016, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. in J.M. Jobes Funeral Home, 635 Main St., Sydney Mines. There will be no funeral service. Donations in Ronnie’s memory may be made to palliative care. Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at www.jmjobesfuneralhome.com <http://www.jmjobesfuneralhome.com/>. Mary 'Louise' MacDonnell Born In: Glace Bay Passed in: Dartmouth Passed on: June 2nd, 2016 It is with great sadness that on Thursday, June 2, 2016 Mary Louise MacDonnell (nee Budden) passed away. She was the oldest daughter of the late Leonard and Lillian Budden. Born in Glace Bay, Cape Breton, she is survived by her loving common-law spouse of 46 years, Ronald Wadden; her three children, Michelle (Rufus) MacDonnell, Michael MacDonnell and Rhonda (Dianna) Wadden; two grandchildren, Shannon (Adam) Rasmussen and Kelsey (Chris) Giles; two great-grandchildren, Khloe and Zeppelin; and sister, Mildred Shepard of Glace Bay. Louise worked at the Glace Bay General Hospital and the St. Joseph’s Hospital in Glace Bay in CSR Department. She moved to Halifax where she worked in CSR at the IWK Children’s Hospital and the Grace Maternity. Louise relocated with her family to Calgary, Alberta, where she worked at the Calgary General also in CSR Dept. Later she began working as a PCW at Northwood Centre in Halifax where she worked until she retired. Louise had a love of family, friends and animals. She loved get-togethers and many laughs, especially card games with friends and family. She was always willing to give anyone who came a hot meal. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Feed Nova Scotia. A special thanks to all of the staff on 4 East of the Dartmouth General Hospital for their upmost kindness and compassion. A celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, June 8 from 6-8 p.m. in J.A. Snow Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Dr., Halifax. Online condolences can be made at www.jasnowfuneralhome.com <http://www.jasnowfuneralhome.com/>. Heather Elaine Turner Born In: Glace Bay Passed in: Glace Bay Passed on: June 4th, 2016 It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Heather Elaine (O'Keefe) Turner, age 57, on Saturday, June 4, 2016 at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney. Heather was born and raised in Glace Bay, where she remained working and raising her family. For eight years she was employed by the Savoy Theatre before her employment at Clearwater Highland Fisheries where she worked for over 30 years. She was an active member of the Caledonia Mixed Dart League. Heather was a devoted grandmother to her 'darling' grandchildren who often helped her prepare Sunday dinners. She enjoyed dancing and participating in many social activities with her family. Heather will be greatly missed by all who knew her. She is survived by her loving husband, Stanley; sons, Jason (Carrie), Steven (Jolene); daughter, Colleen Brown (Murray); her dear grandchildren, Daniel, Carter, Brody; brothers, Arthur O'Keefe Jr. (Darlene), Bruce O'Keefe (Dorothy), Billy O'Keefe; sisters, Cathy MacDonald (Rick), Sharon Ford (David), Patricia Pace (David), Mary Shaw (Mark). Heather is also survived by many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Arthur and Mary O'Keefe and stepbrother, Joey Ferguson. There will be no visitation, family viewing only. In honoring Heather wishes, cremation will take place under the care and direction of V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 16 Reserve St., Glace Bay. A funeral mass will be held in Holy Cross Church, Glace Bay, at 10 a.m., Thursday, June 9 2016, with Fr. Norman MacPhee officiating. A luncheon will follow in the church hall. Online condolences to the family can be expressed at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca <http://www.vjmcgillivray.ca/>.