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 March 19, 2016 Saturday There were 8 obituaries published today Jean Frances McNeill - 52 yrs John Levi “Jack” Touchings - 77 yrs Thomas Joseph Leadbeater - 83 yrs Lawrence “Lark” Mercer - 69 yrs Joseph Alan (Achhum) “Joe” Francis - 58 yrs Janice Bernadette (McDonald) McPhee - 51 yrs Mary Elizabeth (Poirier) Parsons - 76 yrs Alfred George Maher - 96 yrs Jean Frances McNeill Passed in: Sydney Forks Passed on: March 16th, 2016 Jean Frances McNeill, daughter of Eileen (MacDonald) and the late Clifford McNeill, passed away at the age of 52 at the family home in Sydney Forks on March 16, 2016, surrounded by loved ones. She had a love for the city of Calgary, Alta., where she lived for the past 30 years with many close friends she considered to be a second family and a successful career in nursing. She was curious and open minded about the world with a wanderlust to travel and experience different cultures and ways of life. She had a great passion for leading a healthy lifestyle and achieved many marathons. Jean was cheerful and full of life. Her smile could light up a room and she had a laugh that was infectious. She made everyone around her happy; whether it was a funny joke, her positive attitude or her big smile, she was a delight to be around. She was a "Rockstar" with many fans. She will be deeply missed by all her family and friends, who loved her dearly. A Celebration of Life will be held in her honour at later date. "Be happy and enjoy every day." John 'Jack' Touchings Born In: Glace Bay Born: February 10th, 1938 Passed in: Georges River Passed on: March 17th, 2016 It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of John 'Jack' Levi Touchings on Thursday, March 17, 2016 at his home. Born in Glace Bay, on Feb. 10, 1938, he was the only son of the late Cecil and Lilly (Zilbert) Touchings. John had been involved in the fishing industry for many years. Along with his father, he owned and operated a fish plant and supplies store in Glace Bay for many years until his retirement. John had a keen interest in Genealogy and was a well known, local contact for many families looking for information about their family history. He was a member of St. John the Baptist Anglican Church in North Sydney. Jack is survived by his loving wife Lorraine (Cox) Touchings, his brothers-in-law Phil (Agnes) Cox, Moncton and Tom Courage, Lower Sackville, his sisters-in-law Vera Murray, Burlington, Jane Henneberry, Hamilton and Margaret Courage, North Sydney, many nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews, close friends, relatives and neighbors. Besides his parents John was predeceased by his brothers-in-law Hector Standing, Fred Courage, John Murray and sisters-in-law Marsha Courage and Betty Vardy. Visitation for Jack will be held from 2- 4 and 7-9 p.m. on Monday in the W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant St., North Sydney. A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. on Tuesday at St. John the Baptist Anglican Church with Rev. Julio Martin officiating. Burial will take place in Forest Haven Memorial Gardens in Sydney. Online condolences may be sent to www.wjdooley.com. Thomas Joseph Leadbeater Born In: New Waterford Passed in: New Waterford Passed on: March 16th, 2016 It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Tom Leadbeater, 83, of New Waterford on March 16, 2016, at home. Born in New Waterford, he was the son of the late Tom and Mary (Dauphinee) Leadbeater. He was employed with Devco for 39 years, working in No.12, 16, and Lingan. Tom is survived by Georgie, his wife of 64 years; their daughter, Cathy (Dave); sons, Ron (Colleen) and Tom (Paula); his sister, Shirley and grandchildren, TJ, Aaron and Michael, as well as three great-grandchildren, Lexie, Michael, and Georgia. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by brothers John, Benny, and Earl. His family meant everything to him, and he will always be remembered for his loving ways and the kindness he had towards everyone he met. In keeping with his wishes, he will be cremated and there will be no visitation or service. Online condolences may be sent to our webpage at www.chantfuneralhome.ca. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of ... Lawrence 'Lark' Mercer Born In: Sydney Born: January 27th, 1947 Passed on: March 13th, 2016 It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Lawrence Martin Mercer on March 13, 2016. Born Jan. 27, 1947, originally from Sydney, N.S. (Cape Breton Island) Lawrence travelled extensively across Canada and the U.S.A. He loved to travel and experience new things. He was predeceased by his mother, Greta and father, Ernest, both born in Sydney, N.S. Lawrence leaves behind his wife, Beverly; his children, Leah Mercer and Marcus Mercer; his grandchildren, Rebecca, Danisha & Maybella; his brother, Roy and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and extensive friends. Everyone who knew Lawrence 'Lark' will miss him greatly and he will be remembered for living life to the fullest. There will be no formal service and he is going to be cremated and will go home to Gillis Lake, where he spent every summer with his family and friends. Gillis Lake is a very special place for him and he spent most of his life there. The family would like to thank the Grace Hospital for all their efforts to help him. Joseph Alan (Achum) Francis Born In: Caribou Maine Passed in: Sydney Passed on: March 16th, 2016 It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our father, Joe Alan Francis, at the age of 58. Joseph passed away peacefully on March 16, 2016 in the palliative care unit at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Caribou, Maine, he was the son of the late Stephen Peter and Annie Claire (Paul) Francis. Joseph was a man of many trades including basket making, auto repair and carpentry. He worked many years with 1st Nation Construction in Eskasoni as well as having his own business recycling bottles. Joseph enjoyed fishing every day, spending time outdoors and playing horseshoes and darts. He especially enjoyed spending time with his grandkids, family and friends and participating in all community events such as the winter carnival parade, scavenger hunts and bed races. He is survived by his children, Joseph ‘Baby Joe’ (Damaris), Stephen (Taylor), Johanna (Terrence), Charinda, Jonnigan, Caroline of Maine, Josephine, Rodrick, Daniel, David and Alex (Mary), all of Eskasoni. Also surviving are grandchildren, Malik, Maris, Laya, Faith, Tayson and Anjelikah; numerous godchildren, nieces and nephews and good friends, Leon, Spencer, Gerard, Thomas, Bobby Jr. and Norman. He was predeceased by his wife, Dorothy (Simon); siblings, Rose Marie, Norman, Catherine, Ryan, Marion Claire, Angus and Jonas and good friends Bob Sr. and Peter Johnson. Visitation for Mr. Francis will begin after 7 p.m. on Monday, March 21 at the home of his niece, Elena Cabot at 58 Mickeys Lane, Eskasoni. Funeral mass will be celebrated on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Martin MacDougall officiating. Interment in the parish cemetery. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.twcurry.com. Janice Bernadette (McDonald) McPhee Born In: New Aberdeen Glace Bay Passed on: March 17th, 2016 It is with deep sadness that we announce the sudden passing of my wife, our mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin, and friend; Janice Bernadette McPhee of Glace Bay after a courageous battle with lupus on Thursday, March 17, 2016 at age 51. Born in New Aberdeen, Glace Bay, Janice was the daughter of the late James ‘Chickie’ and Florence (Rowe) McDonald. After her marriage, Janice moved to MacKay’s corner and raised her family. She was a former member of St. John’s parish. She is survived by her loving husband of 30 years, Gerard; one son, Devon, Grand Prairie, Alta.; two daughters, Lacey (Kevin Hewer), Whitney Pier and Marcie (Alex Lee Jr.), Glace Bay, and a special nephew, better described as a second son, Logan Routledge; two beautiful grandchildren, Nathan and Mya Hewer (who were the love of her life). Janice is also survived by two brothers, Donnie (Ellen), Halifax, Bobby, Glace Bay; three sisters, Carol Anne, twin sister, Joyce, both of Glace Bay and Michelle (Bill Hardy) of Sydney. As well, Janice is survived by many in-laws including, Marilyn and Bob Johnston, Sandra Novak, Kay and Garry Cox, Mary Hanrahan, Jim and Marilyn McPhee, Kevin and Lynn McPhee, Leo McPhee (Martha), Cameron McPhee (Paulette), Brian and Wendy McPhee; godmother, Cecelia Kelly, along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles and friends. She will be sadly missed by special nephews, Noah Hardy, Adam Sampson, Brent O’Connell and special nieces, Jasea Hardy and Kelsey Sampson. A special mention to two of Janice’s closest friends, Laura-Lee Saccary and Mary Seither. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her mother and father-in-law, Annie and James McPhee; brother-in-law, David Hanrahan; sisters-in-law, Donna McPhee, Sharon Rideout (McDonald) and godfather, Wish Kelly. She was a wonderful wife, mother, sister, aunt, and friend. Janice especially enjoyed her role as grandmother to her beautiful grandchildren who loves their ‘Nana’. Janice spent her leisure time playing bingo, going for long drives with her husband, spending her summer days on her swing with her family and her time on her computer. Above all she dedicated her life to loving and spending precious time with her family. Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be on Monday, March 21 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. in V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 16 Reserve St., Glace Bay. A funeral mass celebrating her life will be held on Tuesday, March 22 at 11 a.m. in Holy Cross Church on Seaview Street in Glace Bay with the Rev. Norman MacPhee officiating. A luncheon will be held in the parish hall after the funeral mass. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Lupus Foundation or a charity of your choice. Condolences may be sent to the family at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca. "Those we love don’t go away They walk beside us everyday, Unseen, Unheard, But always near". Mary Elizabeth (Poirier) Parsons Born In: Cheticamp Born: July 19th, 1939 Passed in: Sydney Passed on: March 17th, 2016 It is with great sorrow that we announce the sudden passing of Mary Elizabeth (Poirier) Parsons on Thursday, March 17, 2016, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney. Born in Cheticamp on July 19, 1939, Mary was the daughter of the late Philip and Mary Louise Poirier. She loved to spend summers camping at Lake O’Law with family and friends, as well as making crafts. Mary is survived by her husband of 58 years, Ralph; their chosen daughter, Darlene (Kevin) Stevenson; brothers, Charles, Bernard and Gordon; sister, Mary Evelyn. She was predeceased by her sister, Mary Elda Chavari and brothers, Paul, Bernard and Gerald. Visitation will take place at Sydney Memorial Chapel on Sunday from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. Memorial service will be held in the chapel on Monday 11 a.m., with Archdeacon Brenda Drake officiating. Interment in New Calvary Cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. Alban’s Anglican Church. Words of comfort can be sent to the family at www.sydneymemorialchapel.ca or email sydneymemorialchapel@ns.sympatico.ca. Alfred George Maher Born In: Sydney Born: November 27th, 1919 Passed in: Sydney Passed on: March 14th, 2016 We, the family of the late Alfred George Maher, regret to announce his unexpected passing on March 14, 2016 at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney. Alfred was born on Nov. 27, 1919 and raised in Sydney. He and his wife Lucy moved to Mira Road in the 1950s where they raised their young family of eight children. He was the son of the late George Alfred and Alice (Byrne) Maher. Alfred was raised by the late Thomas and Bridget (Murphy) Whiffen. Alfred is survived by his daughters, Margaret LeMoine, Anne Marie (Keith) Libbey, Donna (Dave) Macneill; sons, Raymond (Leona) Maher, Alfie (Elaine) Maher, Michael (Maureen) Mahar and Keith (Lynn) Maher; daughters-in-law, Antje Maher and Assunta Mahar; stepchildren, Fred (Bev) Maye, Reg (Marie) Maye, Tim (Colleen) Maye, Jackie Maye, Gwen (John) St. Louis; 16 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Also survived by, Marg (Whiffen) O’Dea, Thomas Whiffen, Mary Frances, Eileen (Bill) MacKinnon; nieces, Dianne Cahill and Joan Fennelly Richards. Alfred was predeceased by his first wife, Lucy (Griffin) Maher, mother to his children and Anne (Maye) Maher, his second wife. Also predeceased by his son, George Maher; son-in-law, Fred LeMoine; stepson, David Maye; brothers, James (Maher) Cahill, Andrew (Maher) Fennelly and Molly Maher, Mary Maher, Gerald Whiffen, Vince Whiffen, Raymond Whiffen, Pat Whiffen and Frank Whiffen. He was a decorated war veteran, having served overseas with the Royal Canadian Navy during the Second World War. Alfred was employed with Sydney Steel Corporation from his teen years until his retirement 45 years later as senior management of the Blast Furnace. He was an accomplished outdoorsman and enjoyed those activities well into his senior years. In recent years he spent his afternoons at the casino, enjoying the friends he made there. He has been a resident of the Williston House, Sydney for the last two years. There was never a dull moment in his presence. He was always the center of attention with his quick wit and sense of humour. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Murdock Smith for his years of devoted care and friendship. Thank-you to the physicians, nurses and staff of the emergency department of the CBRH, Sydney, for your care. Also, thank you to the staff and residents of the Williston House for making his last years enjoyable and comfortable. A funeral service will take place on Monday, March 21 at 1:30 p.m. at T.W.Curry Parkview Chapel. It is requested by the family that donations be made in memory to a charity of choice. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.twcurry.com.