Cape Breton Deaths February 07, 2009 Saturday Kenneth G. Anderson 82, Sydney Mines - It is with broken hearts we the family announce the sudden passing of Kenneth G. Anderson, age 82, a resident of Shore Road, Sydney Mines, on Friday, February 6, 2009 at his home. Kenny was a well known resident of the Northside and for many years was manager of National Sea Products, North Sydney. Visitation will be held 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Monday in the W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant St., North Sydney . Funeral service will be held 2:00 p.m. Tuesday at St. Matthew Wesley United Church, North Sydney, with Rev. David Luker officiating. A complete obituary will be published in Monday's edition of the Cape Breton Post. ___________________________________________________________________________ Ada Balcer, Ottawa Born in Florence, Nova Scotia, Canada, October 1, 1920 - Born October 1, 1920 in Florence, Nova Scotia, Ada Balcer passed away in Ottawa, January 30, 2009. Ada graduated from St. Michael's School of Nursing in Toronto, and excelled within her chosen profession in Montreal, Windsor and Ottawa for over 30 years. Beautiful inside and out, she embraced freedom and responsibility with equal aplomb. After a happy childhood spent on the Atlantic beaches, she enjoyed many family summers at/in Bark Lake, Quebec. Ada was the much loved younger sister of Donald, Anna and Norman MacAskill, and the wife of Robert E. Balcer for over 50 years. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Jeannette Balcer (Yvan Roy) of Victoriaville, Que. She leaves heartbroken her daughter, Anne (Gavin Macrae-Gibson) and grandsons, Rory and Malcolm Macrae-Gibson of New York City; son, Robert (Fern) of Singapore and devoted caregiver, Roselin Liban. Following her wishes, a simple celebration of her life will be held at the Denbury, 2951 Riverside Dr., Ottawa at 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8 2009. ___________________________________________________________________________ Peter Capstick, Sydney Mines Born in Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia, Canada, August 5, 1928 - Peter Thomas Capstick 80, Sydney Mines Peter Thomas Capstick died peacefully on February 6, 2009 at Miners Memorial Manor, where he had resided for the past eight years. Born in Sydney Mines on August 5, 1928, he was the son of the late Peter & Rachael (Donovan) Capstick. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Parish, Sydney Mines. He is survived by his brother Murdoch; his sisters Nina Thomas, Helen Serroul, Mary MacLennan and Katherine Gillis and several nieces and nephews. Peter will be lovingly remembered by his extended family at the Manor. He was predeceased by his sisters Peggy, Janie and Delvina and his brothers Patrick and Michael. There will be no visitation. Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Tuesday at 10 a.m. in Immaculate Conception Church with Father J.J. MacDoanld officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Francis Funeral Home, Sydney Mines. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to d.francis@ns.sympatico.ca ___________________________________________________________________________ Mary Halleran, Kingston Born in Whitney Pier, Nova Scotia, Canada, December 18, 1940 - It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Mary Halleran on February 3, 2009 in Kingston, Ont., surrounded by her loving family, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born and raised in Whitney Pier, she was the daughter of the late Leo and Emmaline (Piercy) St. John. She is survived by her husband and soul mate, Dan Halleran, who was her rock all through her illness; son, Bill (Donna); daughters, Rose Casey, Mary (Wayne) Cross, Rebecca (Art) Mansfield, all of Kingston; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Also surviving are her brothers, Joe, Pat (Marg), Alex (Vicky), all of Sydney and Dan (Brenda) of Bible Hill and her sister, Sharon (James) Nimchuk of Howie Centre. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her brother, Gregory. Mary lived life to the fullest. Always a great wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She was always there to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it. Her happiest times were spent in her garden and with the daily walks taken with her husband, Dan. Mary was a fantastic cook and homemaker (second to none). She enjoyed sitting on her deck, talking with her family and friends with a good pot of tea at hand. She was a wonderful, caring person who will be dearly missed by all who knew her. Cremation has taken place in Kingston, Ont. under the direction of James Reid Funeral Home. A memorial mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 9, 2009 at Holy Redeemer Church, Whitney Pier, with Fr. Errol MacDonald officiating. Online condolences may be sent to www.jamesreidfuneralhome.com Donations may be made to the charity of your choice. ___________________________________________________________________________ Anne MacNeil, North Sydney Born in Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia, Canada, Anne 'Nan' MacNeil 85, North Sydney - It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, sister and aunt, Anne 'Nan' MacNeil, a former resident of MacInnis Drive, North Sydney on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009 at the Northside Community Guest Home where she resided. Born in Sydney Mines, she was the daughter of the late Daniel and Christina (MacIntosh) MacInnis. She was a member of Immaculate Conception Church in Sydney Mines. Nan enjoyed listening to Celtic music and being part of the social functions at the Guest Home. For many years Nan was a devoted care giver to her mother and father and then later to her sister Jeromina. She is survived by her son Blaise (Colleen) MacNeil, Yarmouth, and her three grandchildren Kelly Anne, Emily and Nicole; her four sisters Theresa Parsons, Rita (Bill) Penny, both of North Sydney, Christina MacInnis, Sydney and Margaret Lynch, Connecticut, U.S.A. and two brothers Gregory (Viva) MacInnis, Sydney Mines and Bernard (Jenny) MacInnis, B.C., and she will be dearly missed by her many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Peter MacNeil; her brothers Larry and John 'Jack' MacInnis; her sisters Jeromina MacInnis, Barbara Morgan and a brother and sister in infancy. Visitation for Nan will be held 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Sunday in the W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant St., North Sydney. Funeral mass to be held 2:30 p.m. Monday at Immaculate Conception Church, Sydney Mines with Rev. J.J. MacDonald officiating. Burial in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Sydney. Family flowers only. Memorial donations may be made to a charity of choice. Online condolences may be sent to info@wjdooley.com. ___________________________________________________________________________ Rose Macneill, Sydney Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, - Rose Ellen Macneill, of Sydney River, passed away peacefully Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009 at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney. Born in Halifax, she was the daughter of the late Francis and Catherine (MacDonald) Sullivan. She was a longtime member of Our Lady of Fatima parish, Sydney River and an active member of the parish C.W.L. She studied and graduated from Mount St. Vincent University, Dalhousie University, the Maritime Conservatory of Music, Halifax and the Juliard School of Music, New York. An educator at heart, Rose taught at a variety of schools in Halifax, Weymouth and Coxheath, retiring from Riverview High School in 1980. Rose volunteered her gift of music for school and church functions everywhere she lived. Rose brought joy to many with her painting, needlework and a variety of other artistic endeavors. She is survived by two daughters Judy (Keith) Lockett, Ottawa; Janet (Francis) Vosman, Halifax; two sons David (Donna) Macneill, Sydney River; Dan Macneill, Lower Sackville; five grandchildren, Kimberly (Robin) Hart Macneill, Kevin Lockett, Graham Lockett, Joshua Vosman, Catherine Vosman; a sister, Dorothy Ramsland, Bridgewater and a brother, Frank Sullivan, Surrey, B.C. and by numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, David in 2007; brothers, Edward 'Bill', Ralph and two sisters, Margaret Sullivan and Muriel Cassidy. Visitation for the late Rose Macneill will take place Sunday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at T.W. Curry Parkview Chapel. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Monday at 2 p.m. at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Sydney River. Interment in Resurrection Cemetery, Sydney Forks. Donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or to Our Lady of Fatima Parish. Online condolences may be sent to twcurryparkviewchapel@ns.sympatico.ca or www.mem.com. ___________________________________________________________________________ Freda Nesbitt - Nesbitt, Freda On February 5th, 2009. Freda, loving and devoted wife of the Late Henry. Beloved mother of Heather Hanna, Michael Nesbitt and Yvonne Friedl. Cherished Grandmother of Jennifer, Bradley, Kristi, Tyler, Scott, Cody and Elysia. Great Grandmother of Cohen. Friends will be received at the Accettone Funeral Home 384 Finley Ave., Ajax (905-428-9090) on Sunday February 8th, 2009 from 6-9 pm and Monday February 9th, 2009 from 10 am until the time of service in the chapel at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated. ___________________________________________________________________________ Matthew Ryan, North Sydney Born in North Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada, June 11, 1946 - It is with heartfelt sadness we announce Matt's peaceful passing at home on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009 surrounded by the love of his family. Born in North Sydney, he was the son of Mary (MacSween) Ryan of North Sydney and the late Capt. David Ryan. Memories of Matt will be forever cherished by his wife Elaine (MacCormack), his four children, of whom he was so very proud, Matthew, Ottawa, Christopher, Dartmouth, Michael, Ottawa, and Colleen, Toronto. He is also survived by sisters and brothers, Mary (John) McCullough, Toronto, David (Brenda) Ryan, Sally Ryan, both of North Sydney and Jimmy Ryan, Mississauga; his aunts, Nora Tobin, Kal Ryan and uncle, Rick (Mabel) Ryan, North Sydney and aunt, Pauline MacSween, California. Also left to mourn are his mother-in-law, Margaret MacCormack, Dartmouth and her family, Betty MacMillan, Barrie Ont., Mary (Al) MacPhee, Dartmouth, Joan (Dan) Regimbal, Bridgewater, Paul (Linda) MacCormack, Scotsburn, and also by many nieces, nephews and cousins. Matt attended school in North Sydney and Monastery, N.S. He graduated from St. Francis Xavier University in 1969 and Dalhousie Law School in 1972. After practicing law for a short time in the Halifax area, he returned to North Sydney and began practicing law with his uncle Murray (Rick) and brother David at the law firm of Ryan & Ryan where he remained until he became ill in August 2006. Matt was a gentle, unassuming man, and will always be remembered for his quick wit and sense of humour. Integrity, loyalty to friends and devotion to family were paramount in Matt's life. He was a long time member of the Nova Scotia and Cape Breton Barrister's Societies, a Past President North Sydney Rotary Club and a member of the Seaview Golf & Country Club. When golf season was over, Matt could be found at Centre 200 supporting the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles. Matt was for many years involved with minor hockey and soccer, and was a constant fatherly presence at school activities, sporting events, dance and music recitals. Nothing gave Matt greater pleasure than having his friends and family gathered around the pool on warm summer days. Matt's favourite time of year was Christmas when family and friends were certain to be together. Matt was a devoted member of St. Joseph parish, North Sydney. His faith was always the cornerstone in Matt's life. Matt wished to express his most sincere and humble thanks to the many anonymous blood donors. Because of their selfless donations, Matt was able to spend precious time with his family, whom he loved dearly. In Matt's memory, the greatest gift one could give is to donate blood. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Canadian Blood Services (Cape Breton Unit), the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Palliative Care or Cancer Units, or the Victoria Order of Nurses. Sincere thanks and gratitude to family and so many friends who were "always there" and constantly enriched Matt's life, especially over the past few years. Visitation for Matt will be held 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Sunday in the W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant St., North Sydney. Funeral mass to be held 11 a.m. Monday at St. Joseph Church with Rev. Jim Attwood officiating. Burial will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Sydney at a later date. Online condolences may be sent to info@wjdooley.com. "O Lord, support us all the day long until the shades lengthen and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then, Lord, in Your mercy, grant us a safe lodging, a holy rest, and lasting peace. Complete Your work, O Lord, and as You have loved me from the beginning so may I love You unto the end." ******************************************************************************* Cape Breton Deaths courtesy of CBGHA http://www.cbgha.org