Cape Breton Deaths July 28, 2008 Monday George Organ March 16, 1930 - July 26, 2008 78, North Sydney - It is with sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the death of George Organ, 78, a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, cousin and friend. He was a resident of Campbell Street, North Sydney, he passed away Saturday July 26, 2008, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney. Born in LaPoile, N.L., and raised there, he was the son of the late Robert H. and Ann Louise (Taylor) Organ. George spent his working years at sea, starting with his father at age 15, and also helping him raise the family. He left home at an early age and fished with many skippers, until he took over as a skipper himself. He owned and operated several boats of his own until 1972 when he joined the Canadian Coast Guard ship the John A. MacDonald. He called her the pride of the fleet, the best leading the rest. He was saddened when she was decommissioned. George spent many summers in the Arctic, high Arctic and winter months patrolling Canadian waters. His wife stayed at home to raise the family and was left with an empty nest. Then, to get closer and spend more time at home, he joined the search and rescue ship Alert until his retirement in 1995. Over the years, like most seamen, he faced many raging storms and many close calls, but he was fearless and seldom spoke of any events. He also spent a year with captain Tom Edmunds on the M.V. Mayfall going from Halifax to the West Indies and Caribbean Islands as mate. His happiest days were at sea, the Arctic was his favourite. George also liked woodworking, he built several small boats and the family home. Surviving is his wife, Patricia Organ; his children, Donnie (Kim), Elaine Ongo (Peter Townsend), both of Halifax, Wayne and Craig, North Sydney, and Glen (Trina), Calgary; six granddaughters, Erin and Nicole Ongo, Ainslie and Ashlan Organ, Patricia and Emma Organ, three sisters, Rose (Jim) MacDonald, Balls Creek, Clara Bennett, Sydney Mines, Maud Miles, Corner Brook, N.L.; also a half sister, Vera Herrit, Burnt Island, N.L.; and many nieces and nephews. George was predeceased by brothers in law Frank Bennett and Gerald Miles. Toll No More, Dad, Rest in Peace Visitation will be held 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Tuesday in the W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant St., North Sydney. A funeral service will be held Wednesday 3 p.m. at St. Matthew Wesley United Church with Rev. David Luker officiating. Burial to follow at Lakeside Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice Palliative care Cape Breton or the St. Matthew Wesley Building Fund. Online condolences may be sent to info@wjdooley.com. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Frank Ambrose Lessi 89, Sydney - It is with heavy hearts, that we annouce the passing of Frank Lessi, 89, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney, Friday July 25, 2008. Born in Birch Grove, he was the son of the late Leonardo and Carmella (Esposito) Lessi. A veteran of the Second World War, Frank was stationed in Bermuda, served in the North Atlantic and on home soil in Canada. Upon leaving the armed forces he was employed first with Renzies Shoe Shop and later with Olympic Shoe Repair. Frank will be forever remembered for his intelligence, wit and kindness. His curiosity for the world around him and how things 'worked' continued on until his final days. Frank is survived by his sister, Patricia MacNeil, Reserve; brother, Louis Lessi, Sydney; niece, Donna (Paul) Barrett, Sydney; nephews, John 'Jack' (Debbie) Lessi, Sydney, Jim (Orella) MacNeil, Prime Brook, John (Janette) MacNeil, Massachusetts, Brian (Dorothy) MacNeil, Dartmouth, Myron (Sandra) MacNeil, Reserve, David MacNeil, Lower Sackville; and many great nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, Frank was predeceased by his brother, Dominic 'Tony', sister, Virginia, in childhood, sisters-in-law, Viola Lessi , Dorothy Lessi, and brother-in-law, John MacNeil. Visitation will take place Monday, July 28 at the S.W. Chant & Son Funeral Home, 564 Alexandra St., Sydney, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral service to celebrate Frank's life will be held 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 29 at the S.W. Chant & Son Funeral Home Chapel, with Fr. Erroll MacDonald officiating. Interment to follow in Resurrection Cemetery, Sydney Forks. In Frank's memory donations may be made to the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation, Canadian Cancer Society, Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foudation, or charity of choice. Online condolences may be sent to our webpage at www.chantfuneralhome.com. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Nancy May Michael 75, Eskasoni - Nancy May Michael, 75, of Eskasoni died Friday, July 25, 2008, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital following a lengthy illness. She was a member of Holy Family parish, Eskasoni. She was a devoted bingo fan and a foster parent to many children. Born in Guysborough County, N.S., she was the daughter of the late Mary Bridget Darrington and the late Alfred Cremo. She was predeceased by her husband, John J. Michael. She is survived by sons, Martin (Mary Theresa) Cremo, Michael (Gwen) Cremo, Douglas (Serena) Paul, all at home; and by daughters, Marion Forget, Sydney, and Rita Michael, at home. Also she is survived by 29 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; stepsisters, Jean Peck and Agnes Marshall; three godchildren, Serge Paul, Gloria Marshall and Douglas Paul; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Nancy was predeceased by sisters, Mary Margaret Marshall, Judina Morrison, Mary Agnes Bernard, Rita Paul, Mildred Josephine Cremo, Sadie Bernard, Elizabeth Ann Cremo, stepsisters, Bella Paul and Josephine Marshall, brothers, Joe Cremo and Noel Cremo and two grandchildren in infancy. Visitation for Nancy Michael will be held Tuesday, July 29 after 7 p.m. at the home of her son Michael Cremo, 5317 Mountain Rd., Eskasoni. Funeral mass will be celebrated Thursday 10:30 a.m. at Holy Family Church, Eskasoni with Fr. Martin MacDougall officiating. Burial in the parish cemetery. Online condolences may be sent to twcurryparkviewchapel@ns.sympatico.ca. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Katherine 'Kay' MacDonald 71, Lake Echo - Katherine 'Kay' MacDonald, 71, of Lake Echo, passed away July 25, 2008, at the palliative care unit, QE II surrounded by her loving family. Born in Sydney, she was the daughter of the late Matt and Sadie (MacNeil) MacLean. Kay was a founding member of St. Anne's Roman Catholic Church, Lake Echo, where she directed the choir for many years. Along with her husband Lionel, she was very actively involved in the development of her community. Kay was an avid tole painter as well as being a green thumb gardener. She will be sadly missed by her family and friends, especially the little ones who knew her as nanny Kay. Surviving are her daughter, Deb; granddaughter, Morgan; brothers, Johnnie and Donnie (Linda); sisters, Anne Marie (John) Campbell, Rose MacLean, Carm Bell; as well as many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her husband of 43 years, Lionel, sister-in-law, Elaine. The family will receive visitors 7-9 p.m. today in St. Anne's Roman Catholic Church, Lake Echo, from where Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Tuesday. A reception will be held in the parish hall with burial to follow in Dartmouth Memorial Gardens. Donations in Kay's memory may be made to Spiritual Care Development of the QE II, VG Site. Special thank you to the palliative care team at QE II for their tireless compassion and care. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.atlanticfuneralhomes.com. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Megan Ethel Leroy Halifax/Whitney Pier - It is with heavy hearts, that we the family of the late Megan Ethel Leroy, inform all concerned, that Megan passed away peacefully at the VG Hospital in Halifax, Friday, July 25, 2008, where she resided. She was a lovely and kind person, a dear mother and a wonderful friend, who will be greatly missed. Born in Birmingham, England, Aug. 28, 1921, she was the second oldest of five children born in George and Martha Green. She was educated at Soho College in Handsworth Wood, Birmingham, and after graduation worked as a secretary in an upscale auto parts factory (Wilmot Breeden). During the Second World War she was an aircraft inspector on Lancaster bombers manufactured in Coventry and also volunteered at a first aid post in Birmimgham in the evenings. It was during this period that she met her husband to be, Albert, and after the war, immigrated to Cape Breton. She is survived by brother, Len, England; sons, John, Philip (wife Debbie) and Kevin (wife Sherry), Halifax; as well as four grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews and extended family members in Canada and England. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Albert, brothers, Reginald 'Reg' and Allan, and sister, Winnifred 'Winnie'. Visitation will be held at Sydney Memorial Chapel, 49 Welton St., Sydney, Tuesday, July 29 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 30 at St. Alban's Church, Victoria Road, Whitney Pier, with Rev. Stacey LeMoine officiating. Interment at Forest Haven Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or charity of choice. Condolences may be sent to the family at sydneymemorialchapel@ns.sympatico.ca. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Charles Edward 'Eddie' French 64, Whitney Pier - Eddie French, 64, of Whitney Pier, passed away suddenly at home, July 25, 2008. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time. ******************************************************************************* Cape Breton Deaths courtesy of CBGHA http://www.cbgha.org