Cape Breton Deaths November 17, 2008 Monday Robert (Bobby) Lorne MacKinnon Mercer 1927-2008 Glace Bay - It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Robert (Bobby) Lorne MacKinnon Mercer at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital on Friday, Nov. 14, 2008, with his loving family by his side. Born in Glace Bay, N.S., he was the son of the late James and Margaret (MacKinnon) Mercer. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Francis (Rideout); daughters, Gail (Maurice) Gouthro, Roberta (Steve) Melnick, both of Glace Bay; sons, Johnny (Barb), Huntington, and Kenny, Howie Centre; granddaughters, Amy (Rob) Mahoney, Annette Gouthro, Adele (Joel MacDonald) Gouthro; grandsons, Stephen and Benjamin Melnick and Chris Woodford; sister, Mora Patterson, Dartmouth; brother, Ian (Mary) Mercer, Glace Bay; nieces, Debbie and Shelayne; nephews, J.D. and Lloyd; and sister-in-law, Sarah MacLean. Besides his parents he was predeceased by brother, Sheldon. Employed at Sydney Steel Corporation in various departments. He retired in 1989 after 45 years of service. Bobby also served as a board member of Steel Centre Credit Union for 30 years, 20 years of which he served as secretary. Bobby was an active member of Knox United Church where he served as an Elder for over 45 years and superintendent of Knox Sunday School for 25 years. In his early years he played hockey and rugby; a devoted sports fan he was an avid supporter of the Toronto Maple Leafs. For many years he was a member of the Laymen's Bowling League at Knox Lanes. Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at Knox United Church, Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 11 a.m. with Rev. John Finlayson officiating, followed by a reception in the church Memorial Room. A private family burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to Patten Funeral Home, 71 Union St., Glace Bay, 849-7520. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Knox United Church Memorial Fund or the Heart and Stroke foundation. Online condolences may be sent to patten@seaside.ns.ca or at www.mem.com. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mary Freda (Robinson) Young 81, North Sydney - It is with heartfelt sadness that we announce the passing of 'the heart of our family', our mother, grandmother, sister and friend. Surrounded by her loving family at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008, Freda 'Ma' left us to go home to God. Born in Ingonish she was the daughter of the late Timothy and Pearl (Donovan) Robinson. Ma had many pleasures in life, she loved a good game of cards, playing bingo and always enjoyed a good laugh, but her greatest joy was here grandchildren, just talking about them would put a smile on her face. Ma leaves behind her two cherished sons, Wayne and Kirk; and her daughter-in-law and best friend, Penny. Freda's memory will forever live in the hearts of her grandchildren, Wanda (Troy), and Jason (Amber). Wanda and Jason blessed their grandmother with four beautiful great-grandchildren, Austin, Alyssa, Sasha and Emma. Another joy in Freda's life were her brothers and sisters, she will be forever remembered by her sisters, Stasia Robinson, Monica Wilson, Myrna Hawley and Marion Robinson; and her brothers, Francis (Lynn) Robinson, Jimmy (Diane) Robinson, Leo (Cheryl) Robinson and Joe (Maxine) Robinson. She will be fondly remembered by her many nieces and nephews and a very special friend, Arthena. Now at rest, Freda will join her husband Jay 'Da' who left us 18 years ago. She was also predeceased by her mom, Pearl and dad, Timothy, her sisters, Julia and Mildred, and brother, Frank in infancy. Visitation will be held 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18, in the W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant St., North Sydney. A funeral mass will be celebrated 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Joseph Church , North Sydney, with Rev. Jake Andrea officiating. Burial to follow in Brookside Cemetery, Sydney Mines. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Intensive Care Unit. Online condolences may be sent to info@wjdooley.com. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Gerald Joseph 'Jerry' Aucoin Kingston, N.S. - Gerald Joseph 'Jerry' Aucoin, 71, of Kingston, N.S., passed away Thursday, Nov. 13, 2008 in Grandview Manor, Berwick, after a long and courageous struggle with cancer. Born in Sydney, N.S., he was a son of the late Edward and Margaret (Hynes) Aucoin. As a boy, Jerry grew up in the north end of Sydney. He joined the Canadian Military as an air traffic controller, serving in France, Germany, Halifax, Cold Lake and 14 Wing Greenwood from where he retired in 1991 after 35 years of service. Upon retirement from the military, he remained working at 14 Wing for several years doing aircraft wildlife control on the runways. A devout husband and deeply religious, he had a quiet and unassuming manner, a ready wit and a strong constitution and always a gracious host. Jerry and his wife Anne travelled extensively in Europe and the Caribbean on many cruise lines. He was very passionate about his Piper Cub airplane and also particularly enjoyed ballroom and social dancing. Jerry was a member of West Kings Twirlers Square Dance Club and an eager and dedicated member of the Anson aircraft restorative team. He was a proud and an active member of the Kingston Lions Club; also, actively involved in many of the ministries at Queen of Heaven Chapel, Greenwood and served as a board member of the Kingston Food Bank. Jerry is survived by his wife, the former Anne Antinello-MacIsaac, Kingston; sons, Brian (Rina) Aucoin, Edmonton, Alta.; Raymond, Vancouver, B.C.; Dale, New York, NY; sister, Corinne (Valentino) 'Valie' Scattolon, Dominion, C.B.; grandchildren, Ambriella, Alessia and Breanna. Cremation has taken place. A funeral mass will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2008, in St. Eugene's Roman Catholic Church, Commercial Street, Dominion, CB. Interment will be in Forest Haven Memorial Gardens, Sydney. Donations in memory may be made to the Brain Tumor Foundation of Canada. Online condolences may be made through www.middletonfuneralhome.com. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jaret Tobias Johnson 30, Orangedale/Eskasoni - Jaret Johnson, 30, of Orangedale, formerly of Eskasoni, passed away Friday, Nov. 14, 2008. Born in Sydney, he was the son of Gerard and Regina (Prosper) Johnson of Eskasoni. He was a member of Holy Family parish, Eskasoni. Jaret loved fishing with his children. Surviving is his wife, Fleur Defour; and his three children, Tyrel Julian, Afton, Zachary Dufour, Orangedale, and Demini Johnson, Orangedale. Jaret is also survived by sisters, Audrey Francis, Marjorie (Louis) Marshall, Carla (Christian) Stevens, Tammy, Martina, Heather, Elisa, all of Eskasoni; and by brothers, Stephen Marshall, Membertou, Curtis Michael (Rose), Shubenacadie, Luke (Bernice), Whycocomagh, Eli, Eskasoni and Dexter, Eskasoni. Also left to mourn are grandmothers, Bessie Prosper and Dr. Margaret Johnson; as well as godparents, Rod Googoo, Whycocomagh, Stella Fraser, Islandview; godchild, Kali Doucette; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and inlaws, Ursula and Guy Dufour. Jaret was predeceased by his maternal grandfather, Wilfred Prosper and by his paternal grandfather, John T. Johnson. Visitation for Jaret Johnson will be held Tuesday, Nov. 18, after 7 p.m. at the Gabriel Center, Eskasoni, with funeral mass to be celebrated Thursday, Nov. 20 in Holy Family Church, Eskasoni, with Fr. Martin MacDougall officiating. Burial in the parish cemetery. Online condolences may be forwarded to the family at www.mem.com or twcurryparkviewchapel@ns.sympatico.ca. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ John Alexander MacLean 94, Harper Woods - John Alexander MacLean, 94, of Harper Woods, passed away Friday, Oct. 31, 2008. Beloved husband of Elizabeth MacLean, he is survived by his children, Louise MacLean, Elizabeth (Mark) Yakamovich, John C. MacLean, James V. (Anne) MacLean and Robert D. (Barbara) MacLean; his grandchildren, Kristen, Michael and Sara Yakamovich; his sisters, Mary MacDonald, Nancy Gallagher and Theresa Morrison and his sister-in-law, Sr. Stephanie MacNeil. He was preceded in death by his brothers and sisters, Peter, Helen, Lucy, Leo, Murdock, Alexander, Michael and Joseph. John was born June 22, 1914; he was the son of Vincent and Theresa MacLean of MacKay's Point, N.S., Canada. A Cape Breton fiddler, John enjoyed making music with his family and friends throughout his lifetime. Loved by all who met him, John will be greatly missed. The service was held at Our Lady Queen of Peace in Harper Woods MI, Nov. 4, 2008. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Margaret MacEachern Mira Gut/Scotchtown - It is with heavy hearts and beautiful memories that we announce the peaceful passing of a wonderful mother and friend on Nov. 14, 2008, at 77 years of age, in the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney. She was a resident of Brickyard Road, Mira Gut, and a former resident of Scotchtown. Born in Black Point, Nov. 29, 1930, she was the youngest daughter of the late Peter A. and Elizabeth (MacEachern) MacKinnon. She was a kind and gentle woman. A woman of great faith, intuition, strength, integrity, compassion and kindness; always a good word for everyone. Family came first and foremost. Margaret's primary role was that of a loving wife and mother. In later life, Margaret worked as a cook at the New Waterford Consolidated Hospital and also cooked at camps for the Canadian National Institute of the Blind, along with her husband Paul. She was a member of St. Michael's Church, River Ryan, and St. Joseph's parish, Albert Bridge. Surviving are children, Jane (Tony) Matlock, Mira Gut, Sharon MacEachern-Barry, Warren (Janet) MacEachern, both of Sydney, Peter (Shelley) MacEachern, Leduc; and stepdaughter, Doris Pinner, Yarmouth; 10 grandchildren, Allan, Paul (Colleen), Maria (David), Peter, John-Paul, Lisa, Sean, Craig, Timothy and Brianna; three great-grandchildren, Nolan, Jack and Matthew. Also survived by sister, Florence Bonnar; and brother, Allan Joseph (Mary) MacKinnon, both of Bay St. Lawrence; and brother-in-law, Charlie (Bonnie) MacEachern, Ontario. Margaret was predeceased by husband, Paul, son, John, and special brother-in-law, D.H. MacEachern, sisters, Flora Ann, Mary Ann, Isabel, Margaret, Annie, Maggie, Sadie Mae, Annie Beatrice and Marcella, brothers, Archie, Alex Dan, Alex James and Simon. Visitation will be held Tuesday, Nov. 18 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 380 Smith St., New Waterford. Funeral mass will be celebrated Wednesday, 11 a.m in the Parish of St. Leonard, St. Michael's Church, River Ryan, with Fr. Paul MacNeil officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery with a luncheon to follow at the Gaul Center. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of one's choice. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Muriel Frances 'Duke' Barton (nee White) - Peacefully at her residence in London, Ont., Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008, in her 74th year. Beloved wife of Roy Barton. Loving mother of Mary Barton, David Barton and his wife Sharon, Heather Barton, John Barton and his wife Helene, Brenda Mosher and her husband Mitch, Debbie Barton, Rose Mitchell and her husband Wayne. Proud grandmother of 10 grandchildren. Dear sister of Minnie, Tellie and Johnny. Best friend of Millie Hawkins. A private family service will be conducted at the James A. Harris Funeral Home, 220 St. James St., at Richmond, London on Wednesday, Nov. 19. Cremation with interment in Cape Breton, N.S. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Austin Kelly New Waterford, N.S. - Please note that a memorial service for the late Austin Kelly will be held at 6 p.m. and not 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18 at McLellan Brothers Funeral Home Chapel, 3183 Plummer Ave., New Waterford, N.S., with Rev. Duncan Roach officiating. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Harold Arthur Grant Glace Bay - Harold Grant who died Nov. 12, 2008, was predeceased by his father, Harold Grant Sr. and his brother, Brian. Service 2 p.m. today in Patten Funeral Home Chapel, Rev. Vernon Reed officiating. ******************************************************************************* Cape Breton Deaths courtesy of CBGHA http://www.cbgha.org