Cape Breton Deaths February 02, 2009 Monday John Richard Clemens C.D. 1923-2009, Sydney - John (Sarge, Jack, J.R.) a proud father and grandfather, began his new journey on Friday, Jan. 30, 2009. Always happy to offer 'a song, a drink, and a kiss til payday,' Jack will be missed by all. Born in Halifax, he was the son of the late William and Grace Hilda (Rafuse) Clemens. At the young age of 17 he started his career in the Canadian Armed Forces (1940-1974). During these years he served in Canada, United Kingdom, Canadian Mediterranean Force, Northwest Europe and peacekeeping in Egypt. He was decorated with the Canadian Volunteer Medal and Clasp; 1939-1945 Star; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; War Medal and peacekeeping medals, and was a lifetime member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 12. Dad was predeceased by the love of his life, Emily Margaret Theresa, a son, Gordon Gerald, grandsons, Richard Clemens and Jeffrey Hill, brothers, Raymond and Gordon, sister, Marge Saxton, and brother-in-law, Ronald Walker. He will be sadly missed by his children, Patricia (Bob) Bowins, Sydney, John (Jenny) Manitoba, Marilyn Hill (Bob), British Columbia, Diane (Cameron) Paul, Membertou, Raymond (Liz), Sydney, Joan (Kelvin) Johnson, British Columbia, Theresa (Dave Threadgold), Australia, David (Geraldine Carlin), Sydney, Robert (Jean), Sydney, Darlene (Grant) Tuplin, British Columbia, and Sandra (Gary) Sanz, Ontario. 'Grampa Jack' will be fondly remembered and deeply missed by his 18 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Jack is also survived by his sister, Joan Walker, Ontario and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held at Sydney Memorial Chapel on Tuesday 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral service will be held in the chapel on Wednesday at 11 a.m. with Rev. Wade Reppert officiating. Interment in Resurrection Cemetery, Sydney Forks. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Brigadoon Children's Camp Society, Halifax www.brigadoonvillage.org. Condolences may be sent to the family at sydneymemorialchapel@ns.sympatico.ca. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Roy Harris Whetmore 80, Halifax - Roy Whetmore died Jan. 29, 2009, at Northwood Centre, Halifax, N.S. Born in Windsor, N.S., Roy was the son of Blanche and Hoarce Wetmore of Coxheath, C.B. Early in his career, Roy served in the navy onboard ship and later as a hospital administrator holding rank of lieutenant commander at HMCS Cornwallis during the 1950s and 60s and later Stadacona Naval Base in Halifax. Following his retirement from the armed forces, he held executive positions at the 'old' Infirmary and Abbey Lane hospitals in Halifax. During this time his volunteer work included the development board of the original Cobequid Centre in Lower Sackville as well as a similar project later in Kanata, Ont. The move to Ottawa during the 1980s and 90s saw him holding a management position at the Queensway Carleton Hospital and volunteer work with Meals on Wheels. During the latter part of the 1990s he and his wife Mary, spent three years in Dalmeny, Sask., where he was again active volunteering at the local seniors home. Following the death of his wife in Saskatchewan he moved back to Ottawa to be with family and then again to Nova Scotia in the early 2000s where he made his final home at the Berekley Manor in Bedford where he enjoyed a full and active life until the end. Roy is survived by his children, daughters, Kristene Murdock (husband Gavin), Bear River, N.S., Peggy Lynne Lacroix, Dartmouth, N.S., Roxanne (Autumn) Whetmore, Wellington, England; sons, Michael Whetmore (wife Becky), British Columbia, Patrick Whetmore (wife Maisie), Beaver Bank, N.S., MCpl Robert Whetmore CD1 (wife Fletia), Fredericton, N.B., Sgt Richard Whetmore CD1, Whitehorse, YT. Grandchildren include Vanessa Murdock, Scott Murdock, Christopher Lacroix, Nicholas Autumn, Colin Whetmore, Jeremy Whetmore, Travis Whetmore, Tori Whetmore, Roxanne Whetmore and Logan Whetmore. Roy is survived by two sisters, Elizabeth Matheson, Marion Bridge, C.B., and Catherine Smith, Truro, N.S. He was predeceased by his wife, Mary Logan. A funeral service will be held for Mr. Whetmore at Cruikshank's Funeral Home Chapel, 2032 Robie St., Halifax, on Thursday, Feb. 5 at 2 p.m. Online condolences may be placed by visiting http.www.mem.com. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ William 'Bill' Raphael Higgins 1933 - 2009 Reserve Mines - William 'Bill" Higgins, 76, formerly of Reserve Mines, passed away peacefully Saturday, Jan. 31, 2009, at Victoria County Memorial Hospital, Baddeck. Born in Glace Bay, he was the son of the late James and Catherine (Murphy) Higgins. Bill was employed in the coal mines for several years. He also worked for Catholic Charities in Toronto, Winnipeg and London, England. He then joined the army, serving in Korea, after which he returned to Cape Breton and worked a number of years as commissionaire at Glace Bay Hospital. Bill was a resident of Victoria Haven Nursing Home, Glace Bay, then he was transferred to Alderwood Guest Home, Baddeck. Bill was a quiet man who enjoyed a game of cards and bingo. Bill is survived by his son, Alan (Cathy); granddaughter, Sierra, Ontario; sisters, Annabelle Thomson and Isabell, both of Dominion, sister-in-law, Josie, P.E.I.; brothers, Peter and Garvie (Joanne), both of Ontario; a brother-in-law, Harry Sophocleous, Sydney; numerous nieces, nephews, special cousins, John and Barbara McGuire. Besides his parents, Bill was predeceased by brothers, John (Nan), James, Andrew, Patrick, Alex and one in infancy, sisters, Janet (Jack) Carver, Ellen (Ron) Bird, Margaret Sophocleous and sister-in-law, Beth. In honouring Bill's wishes, cremation has taken place under the care and direction of V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 16 Reserve St., Glace Bay. A funeral mass will be celebrated 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 5 at St. Eugene's Church, Dominion, with Fr. Gerald Campbell officiating. Interment will be at St. Joseph's Cemetery, Reserve Mines at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill's memory may be made to St. Eugene's Church Cemetery Fund. Online condolences to the Higgins family are available through www.vjmcgillivray.ca. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Edgar Newell 86, Sydney - It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Edgar Clarence Newell who passed away Friday, Jan.30, 2009, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital. He was born in Bonavista Bay, N.L., the son of the late Joseph and Jane (Stanley) Newell. Edgar retired from Sydney Steel Corp. He was a lifetime member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 128 Whitney Pier, having served overseas during the Second World War. Edgar found great enjoyment in life playing guitar and fishing. Edgar is survived by his wife, Marcella, the love of his life; three sons, James (Catherine), Edgar (Helen) and Joseph, all of Sydney; three grandchildren, Catherine, James and April; three great grandchildren, Catherine, Lyndsay and Emma. He is also survived by a brother, Eric, Sydney. Edgar was predeceased by three brothers, Maxwell, Joseph and Wesley, three sisters, Levina Jacobs, Olive Terrio and Princalina Sheppard. Visitation will be at Sydney Memorial Chapel. Tuesday, Feb. 3 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. A funeral service will be held in the chapel Wednesday, Feb.4 at 2 p.m. with Rev. Brenda Drake officiating. Interment at Forest Haven Memorial Gardens. Condolences may be sent to the family at sydneymemorialchapel@sympatico.ca. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Winnifred Hiscock Jan. 31, 2009 - It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Winnifred Hiscock of Glace Bay at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital with her family by her side, on Jan. 31, 2009, at the age of 92. Born in Grand Bank, N.L., she was the daughter of the late George and Jessie Farthing. Winnifred was employed in her early years for Shore and in later years with Top Supermarket. She was a member of the Rebekah Lodge in Glace Bay and a lifelong member of Epworth Church. Winnifred also liked bowling in the ladies league. Winnifred is survived by her son, David, Glace bay; sister, Nellie Ferguson, Glace Bay; grandchildren, Angie and Heather; great grandchildren, Zachary, Isaiah, Jessica and Jacob. Winnifred is also survived by her close friend, Hilda Shaw. Winnifred was predeceased by her husband, John Graham, one son in infancy, sisters, Violet and Georgina, brother, Albert. Visitation for the late Winnifred Hiscock will be held Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2009, at Patten Funeral Home, 71 Union St., Glace Bay, 849-7520, from 2-3 p.m. Funeral service to follow in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Michael Goodfellow officiating. Interment will be held in Greenwood Cemetery at a later date. Donations in Winnifred's memory can be made to the Palliative Care Society or a charity of one's choice. Online condolences may be emailed to patten@seaside.ns.ca. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Gregor Daniel McKinnon 64, Sept. 30, 1944 - Jan.30, 2009 - It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Gregor McKinnon. Gregor passed away peacefully at home after a courageous battle with cancer. Gregor was born in Glace Bay, N.S. He graduated from St. Michael's High School, Glace Bay, in 1963. He completed his bachelor of commerce at Saint Francis Xavier University in 1966. He enjoyed a successful career of 38 years with the Bank of Montreal, retiring in 2004 from the position of senior credit manager for the Atlantic provinces. Greg was a minor hockey and baseball coach for 10 years, hockey referee for five years, and fastball umpire for five years. He played hockey, baseball, and slow pitch for over six decades. He was an avid golf member at the Links at Montague since inception, and a dedicated fan and season ticket holder of the Halifax Mooseheads hockey club since inception. He leaves behind three children from a past marriage, Scott (Denise), Winnipeg, Stuart, Halifax, Tricia, Dartmouth; and three grandchildren, Kaley, Alex and Braden. He was devoted and proud of all of his three children and grandchildren. He also leaves behind his loving and devoted partner of 14 years, Cheryl Eaton; and her daughter, Andrea (Gerry); his mother, Tina; siblings, Steve (Fran), Marilyn (Jerry) Pembroke, Clem (Linda); and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father Greg McKinnon. Greg will live on in all of us through his wisdom, insight, humour, 'Gregorisms', mentoring, kindness and generosity. We loved Greg dearly, and he will be missed by many. A memorial service will take place, Tuesday, Feb. 3 at 2 p.m., at St. Andrew's Anglican Church located at 2 Circassion Dr., Cole Harbour, N.S. A reception will follow in the church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Kidsport Nova Scotia, online at www.kidsportcanada.ca or by phoning 425-5450 ext 350. Condolences can be sent by e-mail to baseball@accesscable.net. Gregorism: "If you have one or two great shots in your golf game, that's a good game." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Leo Joseph O'Connell 77, Sydney - It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father Leo Joseph O'Connell, on Friday, Jan. 30, 2009. Born in Sydney, he was the son of the late Richard and Mary (Ryan) O'Connell. He worked for 39 years for Cape Breton Dairy, later Scotsburn Dairy. He once served as the Exalted Ruler of the Elks Lodge, Sydney. Leo is survived by his four daughters, Paula (Edward) McDonald, Leona (Brian) Spencer, Joan (Barry) Rowe, Karen (Evan) MacNeil; and one son, Andrew (Cheryl) O'Connell. He is also survived by one sister, Helen (Earl) Lockhart, Toronto; one brother, Richard (Carol), Sackville, N.S.; foster sister, Peggy MacIntyre; as well as 11 grandchildren; four great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Leo was predeceased by his sisters, Anne Pass, Elizabeth 'Betty' O'Brien and Margaret, brothers, Frank, Edward, Joseph, Patrick and Gerald. Cremation has taken place. Visitation will take place Monday, Feb. 2 from 6-9 p.m. at the S.W. Chant & Son Funeral Home, 564 Alexandra St., Sydney. Funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3 at the funeral home chapel with Fr. Oliver officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Palliative Care Society or charity of one's choice. Online condolences may be sent to our webpage at www.chantfuneralhome.com. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Winnie MacKenzie 71, North Sydney - Winnie MacKenzie, 71, of North Sydney, passed away peacefully Saturday, Jan. 31, 2009, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital. Born in Inverness, she was the daughter of the late John Joseph and Mary Margaret (MacQuarrie) MacGillivray. She is survived by two daughters, Heather (Dave) Dartmouth, Darlene (Howie) Walters, Sydney Mines; one son, Darrel (Amber-Lynn), Belleville, Ont.; two sisters, Kay Weatherbee, Washington, and Ann Thompson, British Columbia; three brothers, Andy (Nellie), Ernie (Claudette) and Angie (Linda) all of British Columbia; nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren.She was predeceased by her husband, Simon, a son, Wayne, a sister, Rita, three brothers, Mack, John and Gill. There will be no visitation. Memorial mass will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Columba Church, Iona, with Rev. Paul Abbass officiating. Memorials may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or Holy Rosary Cemetery Fund. Condolences may be sent to the family at sydneymemorialchapel@ns.sympatico.ca. ******************************************************************************* Cape Breton Deaths courtesy of CBGHA http://www.cbgha.org