Cape Breton Deaths January 10, 2009 Saturday Robert Charles Rutledge Robert Charles Rutledge passed away suddenly at his home on Jan. 6, 2009, at the age of 82 years. Born and raised in Sydney, N.S., Bob served proudly in the Armed Forces from April 1945-September 1945, then again from December 1953-May 1977. After retiring from the Armed Forces in 1977, he moved his family across the country, to Fraser Lake, B.C., where he was employed as a machinist at Endako Mines. At the age of 65, in 1991, he and Kay moved to Penticton, where they have resided since. Bob enjoyed many of his leisure hours curling and playing crib. He also treasured time with his family and friends. Bob will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his wife, Catherine (Kay) of what would have been 50 years of marriage in April; two sons, Charles, Vanderhoof, B.C., Robert (Janice), Fraser Lake; grandson, Brent (Ashley), Ashcroft, B.C.; two brothers, Paul (Peggy), New Waterford, N.S., and Lewis (Mary), Terrace, B.C.; as well as three nieces and four nephews. Bob was predeceased by his parents, Robert and Lillian Pearl, one sister, Margaret (Peggy) Betuik. A private family viewing was held Jan. 8, 2009, and at Bob's request no memorial service will be held. His ashes will be returned to Cape Breton this summer. If friends so desire, donations in Bob's memory may be made to the British Columbia Lung Association. "A father is strong in his example, gentle in his love. Remembered lovingly and always missed." Condolences may be directed to the family through Providence Funeral Homes, pfchapel@vip.net. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ John Sorhaitz 79, Sydney - We, the family of John Sorhaitz, are saddened to announce his passing at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney, Friday, Jan. 9, 2009. Born in Sydney, he was the eldest son of the late John and Alfreda (Huett) Sorhaitz. For 41 years, John worked for Sydney Steel. He was an active member of the Canadian Council for the Blind and various bowling leagues. John is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Theresa M. (MacDonald); daughter, Joni (Joe) Bates, Sydney; grandchildren, Melissa and Brandon Bates; sister, Anne Doyle, Sydney; brother, Hubert (Helen), St. Johns, Nfld.; brother-in-law, Russ Doyle, London, Ont.; sister-in-law, Regina Sorhaitz, Whitby, Ont.; several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Melvin in 2006. Visitation will take place at Sydney Memorial Chapel, Monday 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. A funeral mass will be held at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2009, at 11 a.m., with Rev. Will MacPherson officiating. Interment in Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or a charity of your choice. Condolences may be sent to the family at sydneymemorialchapel@ns.sympatico.ca. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Thomas 'Tommy' Rogers 85, Glace Bay - We are saddened to announce the passing of Thomas A. Rogers, 85, of Chappel Drive, Glace Bay, which occurred Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney. Born in Glace Bay, he was a son of the late Thomas and Mary (MacInnis) Rogers. Tommy joined the RCAF at the age of 17 and served in the Second World War effort in Newfoundland and Canadian bases. He continued his career in the Armed Forces until retirement at the age of 45. He returned to Glace Bay and worked at St. Joseph's Hospital as a stationary engineer until a second retirement at age 65. He continued to be active in his community serving in many capacities with the John Bernard Croak Branch 3 Royal Canadian Legion, including two terms as president. Tommy was also very active with Council 1953 Knights of Columbus as a Fourth Degree member; and assisted with the operation of the Lingan Golf and Country Club. Tommy enjoyed his golf, much travelling and, of course, singing with the legion choir. He is survived by his son, Charles (Ann), Texas; grandchildren, Michael, Alberta, and Angela (Justin) Phillips, Bend, Ore.; sisters, Mary Penny, Glace Bay, and Priscilla (Walter) Wojcik, Sydney; brother, Angus (Gloria), New Waterford; many nieces, nephews and close friends. Besides his parents, Tommy was predeceased by his wife, Mary (nee Campbell), brothers, Harold and William, sisters, Dorothy MacNeil, Bridget MacGillivary, Carmella MacPherson and Geraldine MacDonald. Visitation Sunday 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. in Curry's Funeral Home, 775 Main St., Glace Bay. KOC members will meet at the funeral home for prayers at 7:30 p.m. Funeral Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated Monday at 10 a.m. in St. Anne's Church. Donations in Tommy's memory may be made to one's charity of choice. E-mail condolences to jmcurry@ns.sympatico.ca. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Donald Campbell Baddeck Inlet/Glenora Falls - It is with great sorrow that we announce the death of our beloved father, Donald Campbell, 74, Baddeck Inlet. Donald passed away at Glace Bay Hospital on Jan. 4, 2009, after a lengthy hospitalization. Born Oct. 23, 1934, in Glenora Falls, Inverness County, he was the son of the late Dan J. and Mary (MacLellan) Campbell. Donald was a member of St. Mary Church, Mabou, and received his early education at Alexander's School, Glenora Falls, and St. Joseph's Convent, Mabou. In later years, he worked on his BA degree in communication arts at the University of Windsor. He was employed by Loblaws and A & P grocery chains in Ontario and later with Ontario Steel. Donald moved back to Cape Breton for a year in 1962, while working at Sobeys in Sydney and Port Hawkesbury. He made several guests appearances with Winston Fitzgerald on CJCB-TV on the Cape Breton Ceilidh program in 1963. He also played with his brother-in-law, John MacLeod on CJCB radio in the 1950s. He returned to Cape Breton each summer and held his own dances at West Bay Road with his band, The Inverness Serenaders. He also played for weekly dances at Whycocomagh, Rainbow Hall, Bucklaw and for various dances and weddings, etc. around Cape Breton. In the 1960s and 1970s, he held his own "Cape Breton Dances" in Windsor and Detroit. Donald was a humble person and enjoyed all types and styles of music. He would even play rock and roll on the fiddle for round dances. He excelled at the old time traditional fiddle tunes and his repertoire includes a vast number of his own compositions that he began composing in his teens. Although he never endeavoured to promote his music, we, his family are proud of his quiet musical legacy. Donald is survived by his wife, Marguerite (MacLeod), Baddeck Inlet; his daughter, Heather (John) Forman, Cambridge, Ont., and son, Dana, Aylmer, Ont. He is also survived by sisters, Mary Campbell, Glenora Falls, Ann Brown, Florida, Margaret Campbell, Brighton, Mass., and Helen (Ian) McLaren, Toronto, Ont.; brothers, Angus, Glenora Falls, Alex, Antigonish, and John, Boston, Mass. He was predeceased by sister, Kay White and brother, Jimmy. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Myrna MacLeod, Baddeck Inlet, and brother-in-law, John MacLeod, Woodstock, Ont.; and many nieces and nephews. Cremation has taken place under the direction of MacAskill Funeral Home, Baddeck. A funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009, at St. Mary's Church, Mabou, N.S. with Fr. Angus Morris officiating. A reception will follow in the Mabou Community Hall. Donations may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Winnifred 'Nana' Gillis - Winnifred 'Nana' Gillis, nee Williams, 84 years old, passed away peacefully on Jan. 8, 2009, at St Michael's Care Centre in Burnaby, B.C. She was born in New Waterford, N.S., where she resided until 1958 after which she moved to Montreal with her late husband Alexander 'Bucky' Gillis. She then moved to Vancouver, B.C. in 1995, where she resided until her passing. 'Nana' is survived by her sisters, Mary Dubois and Catherine Pelletier; her daughter, Irene (Wheeler); her son, Ronnie; son-in-law Gary; grandchildren, Chantal, Glenn and Paul; as well as her great-grandchildren, Brandon and Logan. She was predeceased by her brothers, Duncan, Mike, John and sister, Margaret. Winnifred was an ardent sportswomen, a caring and loving person with a hearty laugh, always ready for a great time. She will be missed by all. Donations on her behalf can be made online to the B.C. Cancer Foundation. Online condolences may be sent to www.remembering.ca. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Cathy (Gwynn) Forsythe Vancouver/Sydney - With broken hearts and deep sadness we announce the passing of our dear mother and sister, Cathy (Gwynn) Forsythe, on Dec. 24, 2008, in Lion's Gate Hospital, Vancouver, following a short illness. Cathy was a daughter of the late Allen and Helen (MacAskill) Gwynn. She is survived by two daughters, Susan and Laura, one son, Alan and by three grandchildren, all of Vancouver. She is also survived by sisters, Grace, Sydney, Ginny Sutherland, Sydney; brothers, John (Eleanor), East Bay, Lloyd, Maple Ridge, B.C., and Donald, Sydney; as well as many nieces and nephews. Cathy was predeceased by two brothers, Wendell and Robert. After working in the general office of the Sydney steel plant for several years, Cathy joined Trans Canada Airlines as a stewardess and made her home in Vancouver, B.C. Cathy enjoyed coming back to Cape Breton each year to her summer home in Aspy Bay. She will be greatly missed by us all. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Aspy Bay United Church. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Pearl Elizabeth Winter Waterloo, Ont. - Now gone but will remain forever in our hearts. Pearl passed away peacefully on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009, at the Westmount Long Term Care Facility in Kitchener, Ont. Beloved wife of Malcolm, who predeceased her July 21, 2008. Loving mother of Kathrine Bright and her husband, Hugh, James Winter and his wife, Lynn. Devoted grandmother to Casey Fawcett and her husband, Ira, Edward Winter, Diana Winter and Lindsey Glover and her husband, Brent. Dear sister of Christina Stevens, Walkerton, Ont., Robert Stevens and his wife, Sherry, Barrie, Ont., Ted Stevens and his wife, Anna, Cambridge, Ont., Lawrence Stevens and his wife, Helen, Cape Breton, John Stuart Stevens and his wife, Lisa, Chicago, Ill. Predeceased by her parents, Lawson and Lillian Stevens and sisters, Marjorie Morrison and her husband, Malcolm, Irene Flood and her husband, Donald, Josephine Ferguson and her husband, Kendall and Kathleen Balsillie and husband, George. Fondly remembered by many nieces and nephews. Cremation has taken place. A memorial visitation celebrating Pearl's life will take place at David MacLeod Funeral Home, 617 King St. N., Waterloo, Ont., Friday, Jan. 16, 2009, from 1-4 p.m. As expressions of sympathy, donations to the Alzheimer Society of Canada or St. Mary's General Hospital would be appreciated by the family and may be arranged by contacting the funeral home. 519-888-7700. A private family interment will take place. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Emily (Cann) Stubbert 76, Sydney Mines - Emily (Cann) Stubbert, 76, of Sydney Mines, passed away Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009, at the Northside General Hospital. Born in Sydney Mines, she was the daughter of the late John and Emily Maude (Baker) Cann. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church of Canada. She is survived by daughters, Carol, Sydney Mines, Glenna, Bedford; sons, Eric, Lawrencetown, Ken (Joy), Sydney Mines; her sister, Margaret 'Margie', Sydney Mines; brothers, Neil (Rhona) Cann, Sydney Mines, John Cann, North Sydney; grandsons, Kyle (Julie), Michael, Ryan and David. Also surviving are brother-in-law, Ben Stubbert and sister-in-law, Kathleen Hannem. She was predeceased by her husband, Earl in 1957, brother, Bill and son-in-law, Aubrey Thebault and sister-in-law, Irene Cann, brother-in-law, James White, nephews, John Cann and Grant Cann. There will be no visitation. A memorial service under the direction of Fillmore and Whitman Funeral Home, will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Parkinsons Foundation of Canada. Online condolences may be e-mailed to the family at fillmoreandwhitman@ns.sympatico.ca. "She helped when she could, was a mother to all, loved and was loved. I will miss her." Eric ------------------------------------------------------------------------ John Weaver Flynn 81, Beaver Cove - John Weaver Flynn, 81, of Beaver Cove, passed away at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney, on Friday, Jan. 9, 2009, surrounded by his family. Born in Sydney, he was the son of the late John 'Jack' and Bernadine (Weaver) Flynn and is survived by his son, Lorne, at home; daughters, Leah (Gerard) MacNeil, Beaver Cove, Lori (Colin) Thomas, Jasper, Alta.; sisters, Helen (Bill) Pickles, Sydney, Judy (Harold) Penny, Sydney/Arizona, Deanne Dennison, Woodbridge, Ont.; brother, Terrance (Lorraine), Beaver Cove; grandchildren, Sharon, Barrie, Ont., Cheryl, Sydney, Shauna, Halifax, Lindsey, Calgary, Michael, Lawrencetown, Peter and Kyle, Jasper; son-in-law, John O'Handley, Sydney. Also survived by a number of nieces and nephews. John was predeceased by his wife, Geraldine 'Gerry', daughter, Linda and brother, Melvin. A member of the Merchant Marines, John served on the troop-ship The Lady Rodney, the Cape Breton Highlanders and finally with the Black Watch. John retired from the coke ovens in 1985 with 38 years of service. A hobby farmer at heart, John was one of the first people to import belted Galloway and Scottish highland cattle into Nova Scotia. John also enjoyed woodworking and carving in which he passed on many pieces to his family and friends. No visitation by request. John's remains have been donated to science through Dalhousie University. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Donations may be made in memory of John to the Heart and Lung Association or a charity of your choice. Online condolences can be e-mailed to landcruiser@ns.sympatico.ca. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Gertrude 'Gertie' MacKinnon 96, Victoria Mines - Gertrude 'Gertie' MacKinnon, 96, of Victoria Mines, passed away Friday, Jan. 9, 2009, at home. Born in Dominion, she was a daughter of the late Peter J. and Mary Ann (MacPherson) MacNeil. Gertie was a member of the Parish of St. Leonard, New Waterford. She loved reading, baking and telling stories to family and friends. Surviving are daughters, Joyce (Peter) Marsh, Diane (Joe) Aucoin, both of Lingan; sons, Fraser (Doreen), Joseph, Bill (Hughena), all of New Waterford; daughter-in-law, Sylvia MacKinnon, Lower Sackville; sister-in-law, Mary Jane MacNeil, Dominion; two very special people, Charlie and Lorette Campbell, Victoria Mines; 10 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren and one great great grandchild. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. Gertie was predeceased by her husband, John Willie, son Dannie, sisters, Annie, Beatie, Francie, Jennie, Evelyn and Nora, brothers Joe, Walter and Fred. There will be no visitation. Cremation has taken place under the direction of V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 380 Smith St., New Waterford. A funeral mass of celebration for Gertie will take place Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2009, at 11 a.m. in the Parish of St. Leonard, St. Michael Church with Fr. Doug MacDonald officiating. Interment will be in Forest Haven Memorial Gardens, Sydney, with a luncheon to follow at the Carmel Centre, New Waterford. Donations in her memory may be made to the Hospice/Palliative Care Society of Cape Breton. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Anne Marie Coakley (Jesty) Florence May 6, 1937-Jan. 9, 2009 - We, the family of Anne Marie Coakley (Jesty) regret to announce her passing on Jan. 9, 2009, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney. Funeral arrangements will be under the care of Francis Funeral Home, Sydney Mines, and will be announced in Monday's Cape Breton Post. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Pauline Finlayson Sydney Mines Memorial Mass - A memorial mass for the late Pauline Finlayson will take place Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2009, at Immaculate Conception Church, Sydney Mines, with Fr. J.J. MacDonald officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Francis Funeral Home. ******************************************************************************* Cape Breton Deaths courtesy of CBGHA http://www.cbgha.org