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 03, 2016 Thursday There were 5 obituaries published today Alexander James “Alex” Calder - 70 yrs Gene Shirley Wilneff - 89 yrs Mary C. McCabe - Florence King - 79 yrs Shirley Mae Smith - 81 yrs Alexander James Calder Born In: Glace Bay Born: September 8th, 1945 Passed in: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada Passed on: March 1st, 2016 We, the family, regret to announce the passing of Alexander 'Alex' James Calder on March 1, 2016, at the Halifax Infirmary. He died peacefully with family by his side. Alex was born on Sept. 8, 1945, in Glace Bay. The son of the late Alexander and Margaret (MacDonald) Calder, Alex leaves behind his loving wife and best friend of 43 years, Bonita (Wall). He is also survived by his three children, Stacey Galloway (Keith Hawco), Charles Calder (Amanda MacDonald) and John (Heather) Calder; brothers, Peter (Judy), Stewart (Janet) and Carl (Patricia); sisters, Catherine Ravanello, Jean Calder and Debbie Calder (John Haughn); as well as his grandchildren, Caitlyn, Jasmine, Nicholas, Carter, Dylan, Matthew, Evan and Dalton. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his younger brother Bruce. Alex loved spending time with his family and friends and was especially close with his grandchildren. He enjoyed the small pleasures with them — helping to make sure their latest toys “worked properly”, sneaking an extra scoop of ice cream after dessert was over, and anything else that would create smiles and leave a mess behind. He managed to have a positive outlook on everything and was a great support to all who knew him well. His sense of humour and enthusiasm were contagious. He also loved nothing more than to stir the pot and start a lively debate over just about anything. Especially politics, he loved his politics. No matter the subject matter he had an uncanny ability to switch sides midway through conversation, ensuring he always finished on the winning side of the discussion. Alex worked many jobs in his lifetime, including with the Bank of Nova Scotia, from where he retired. A man of strong work ethic, he couldn’t sit still in retirement and quickly went to work with his lifelong best friend, Pat Maglario, at Olympic Pools and Spas. He was also fortunate to enjoy travel in retirement, having visited Scotland, Hawaii and other locations throughout North America. He lived his life well and always to the fullest. If there’s a legacy he most wanted to leave behind it was his constant reminders not to take life too seriously and enjoy each of the moments we have with one another. Our special moments with him will never be forgotten. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 4th from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at T.W. Curry’s Funeral Home. A funeral mass will be held at St. Theresa’s Parish (Whitney Avenue) on Saturday at 10 a.m. A reception for family and friends will follow at St. Theresa’s Hall, St. Peter’s Road. Donations can be made to the Renal Dialysis Unit at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital. Gene Shirley Wilneff Born In: Little Tancook Lynenburg Co. We regret to announce the passing of our mother, Gene Shirley Wilneff, age 89 on Tuesday, March 1, 2016 at her home. Gene was born on Little Tancook Island, Lunenburg County. She was the daughter of the late Rogers and Alice (Mossman) Levy and the youngest of nine children. Gene was busy being a mother of nine children. However when her family were grown and left the nest she enjoyed many diverse activities. These activities included oil painting, bowling and travelling extensively with family and friends. Gene will be sadly missed by her children, Carol (Grant MacLean), Gary (Pauline), Sandra (Willie Koza), Gregory (Marilyn), Margo, Wendy (late Gary Gardiner), Jimmie (Charlene), Tanya (Steward Cathcart), daughter-in-law, Sandra (late Miles Wilneff) and her sister, Helen. Gene is survived by her 13 grandchildren, Gennifer, Allan, Suzanne, Rodney, Gregory, C.J., J.J., Scott, Christopher, Jimmie, Michelle, Joseph, Willie and four great-grandchildren, Robert, Ian, Spencer and Findlay. Gene was predeceased by her husband of 60 years, Joseph Wilneff; her son, Miles; five brothers and two sisters. As per her wishes, there will be no visitation or funeral service. Cremation has taken place under the direction of V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, Glace Bay. Interment will be held at a later date in Forest Haven Memorial Gardens, Sydney. The family wish to extend a special thank you to Dr. Michael Gallivan for his wonderful care and concern for our mother. Online condolences to the family can be expressed at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca <http://www.vjmcgillivray.ca/>. Mary C. McCabe Born In: Sydney Passed on: February 25th, 2016 It is with broken hearts that we, the family, announce the passing of our dear daughter, sister and mother, Mary McCabe on Thursday, Feb, 25, 2016. Born in Sydney, she was the daughter of Mrs. Greta (Fidgen) McCabe and the late William McCabe. She was employed with Children’s Aid for many years. She loved reading, spending time with her dogs, and dabbled in numerous artistic crafts. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Besides her mother, Greta, she is survived by her pride and joy, Dr. Sean Peter Mackinnon (Kelly Barrie), Halifax; sister, Kathleen (Jay) Fowler, New Jersey; brother, Sean McCabe (Joanne Frost), Bridgetown; nieces, Noel Hedges, Heather Murray, Megan Duvall, Jenn Kudrle, and Leah Costello, as well as many great friends. She was predeceased by her father, Bill McCabe; her ex-husband, Peter Mackinnon, and her sister, Maggie Costello. Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held from 1-2 p.m. Saturday, March 12, 2016 at the SW Chant & Son Funeral Home, 564 Alexandra St., Sydney. A memorial service to follow at 2 p.m. in the chapel with Rev. Sheldon Chant officiating. Reception to follow. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of … Florence King Born In: Bridgeport Passed in: Glace Bay Passed on: March 1st, 2016 It is with sadness we announce the passing of Florence King, 79, of New Waterford on March 1, 2016 at the Maple Hill Manor. Born in Bridgeport, she was a daughter of the late Richard and Catherine (Kennedy) King. Florence attended business college in Sydney and upon graduation worked at St. Martin's Convent in New Victoria. She later went on to work at St. Pius Glebe House in Sydney Mines for many years. Florence was a member of St. Joseph's Church, New Victoria, and was a woman of strong faith. She made many trips to Sainte Anne De Beaupre and enjoyed going on bus tours throughout Newfoundland and the Maritimes. Surviving are her brother, Richard King, New Victoria; sisters, Ann (Gordon) McIsaac, New Victoria, Sandra (Eddie) Quinn, New Waterford, Rose King, Sydney. Besides her parents, Florence was predeceased by a brother, Paddy King. Visitation will be held today (Mar. 3, 2016) from 7-9 p.m. in V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 380 Smith St., New Waterford. A funeral mass of celebration will take place Friday, Mar. 4 at 10 a.m. in the Parish Church of St. Leonard, Mount Carmel Avenue, with Fr. Ray Huntley officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, New Victoria, with a luncheon to follow at the Knights of Columbus Hall, Plummer Avenue, New Waterford. Donations in her memory may be made to the Maple Hill Manor, New Waterford. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca <http://www.vjmcgillivray.ca/>. Shirley Mae Smith Born: August 14th, 1934 Passed on: February 29th, 2016 It is with great sadness that we, the family, announce the passing of Shirley Mae Smith on Monday, Feb. 29, 2016 surrounded by her loving family. Born on Aug. 14, 1934, Shirley was the daughter of the late Peter and Annie (MacDonald) Smith. She was raised on 4th Street, New Aberdeen and later moved to Phalen’s Road, Glace Bay. Shirley was a kind and generous lady who took great joy in doing for others. Shirley was an amazing baker and loved to share her goodies with family, friends and neighbours. A holiday or party was not complete without her shortbread or tea biscuits. Shirley loved watching her “stories” including Coronation Street and hockey. Shirley had a love of animals and showed great kindness to many pets over the years; her little buddy Max will miss her. Shirley is survived by her sister Carol and the late Alex MacMillan with whom she resided. She will be greatly missed by her niece Karen (Kexing) Liu, Ottawa and nephew, Sandy (Janice) at home and children, Taylor, Selena and Jordan. Also left to mourn are her brother, Willie (Dorothy) Smith and their children, Janis, Bradley (Kelly), Dave (Melva) and Kevin (Hazel) and their families. Shirley took great joy in hearing about the adventures of Janis’ girls, Andrea, Jennifer and Shannon. Visitation will be held Friday, March 4, 2016 from 12–2 p.m. at Patten Funeral Home, 71 Union St., Glace Bay. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. in the chapel with Reverend Duncan Roach officiating. Burial in Black Brook Cemetery will take place at a later date. Donations in Shirley’s memory may be made to the Hospice Palliative Care Society of Cape Breton or your charity of choice. A special thanks to Dr. Trevor Guy and his staff for their kindness to Shirley over the years. The family would also like to thank the staff at the Glace Bay Emergency Department, Cape Breton Regional Hospital, the VON and New Waterford Homecare Service Society for their kind and compassionate care. Words of comfort can be sent to the family at web site:www.pattenfuneral.com.