Cape Breton Deaths October 14, 2008 Tuesday Gordon Bernard 'Gordie' Pearson 46, New Victoria - Son, father, husband, brother and friend, with broken hearts we, the family, announce the sudden death of our beloved Gordon. A resident of Cameron Street, New Victoria, Gordon, 46, passed away Friday, Oct. 10, 2008, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney. Born in Sydney, Gordie was the son of Lowell and Vera (Ratchford) Pearson. He was a member of St. Joseph's Church, New Victoria. Gordie along with his best friend and father, Lowell, worked together to run the family owned and operated business Victoria Builders, New Victoria. He enjoyed the outdoors and its bountiful pleasures, including hunting and fishing. A very kind and compassionate man, Gordie loved animals, race cars and motorcycles. Forever, he shall be remembered as a warm-hearted family man who possessed a strong work ethic and treasured life's simplicities. Always there to lend a helping hand to others, Gordie never sought praise. Anyone who knew Gordie was better in life for it. His playful sense of humour, charm, and fun endeared him to all. A spirited and vital presence in celebrating special holidays and events, Gordie loved being surrounded by the people he adored - his family. Gordie is survived by his wife, Barbara (Reid) Pearson; his parents, Lowell and Vera; and his five children, Chantel Demeter (Jean-Guy), New Waterford, Cortney Reid, Halifax, Candace, at home; and his twin boys, Cameron and Coleton, also at home. Gordie is survived by his three sisters, Linda Pearson, Toronto, Debbie Lee Pearson, Victoria, and Nicole Pearson-Nearing (Ian), Lower Sackville. Also left to mourn Gordie's passing are his aunts and uncles, and granddaughter, Cassie. Gordie was predeceased by his paternal grandparents, Gordon and Constance 'Mally' Pearson, and maternal grandparents, Bernie and Thelma Ratchford. Visitation will be held Tuesday, Oct. 14 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. in the V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 380 Smith St., New Waterford. The funeral mass will be officiated by Rev. Paul MacNeil on Wednesday at 11 a.m. in the Parish of St. Leonard, St. Joseph's Church, New Victoria. Interment will be held at Forest Haven Memorial Gardens followed by a reception in the parish hall. As an expression of sympathy for Gordie, donations in his memory may be made to the Nova Scotia Heart & Stroke Foundation. Condolences to the family can be expressed through the funeral home website www.vjmcgillivray.net. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Agnes 'Shirley' Lauzon 75, Scotchtown - It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Shirley Lauzon on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2008, at the New Waterford Consolidated Hospital, surrounded by her loving family. Born in New Waterford, she was the daughter of the late Jerry and Mary Ann (Corbett) McCarthy. As a young lady, Shirley joined the air force and moved to Alberta where she met the love of her life, her husband, Maurice 'Moe' Lauzon. After a few years in Alberta, they moved to Ottawa and then on to Massachusetts, where they spent over 30 years raising their family. They later returned home to retire in New Waterford. Music was her passion and there was nothing in the world that gave Shirley more pleasure than to hear Moe Sr. and her talented children play music. Family was very important to her and she loved to travel to the States to visit with her children and grandchildren. Shirley is survived by her loving husband, Moe; two sons, Moe, Jr. (Bernice), New Waterford, Glenn, Massachusetts; three daughters, Cheryl (Neil Desrosiers}, Joanne (Mark) Coletti, Suzanne (John) Moe, all of Massachusetts; two brothers, Bernie (Phyllis) Sydney, Eddie (Eunice), New Waterford; and four sisters, Rita (Pleman) Woodland, Scotchtown, Yvonne (Wayne) Cooper, Glace Bay, Catherine Smith, New Waterford, and Agatha Chesal, British Columbia. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by two sisters, Anne Pino and Carmel (Babs) Stokes, and a daughter-in-law, Barbara Ann Lauzon. Visitation for Shirley will take place Wednesday, Oct. 15 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at McLellan Brothers Funeral Home, 3183 Plummer Ave., New Waterford, N.S., 862-7500. A funeral mass to celebrate Shirley's life will take place Thursday, Oct. 16 at 11 a.m. in the Parish of St. Leonard/St. Agnes Church, with Fr. Doug MacDonald officiating. Cremation will follow. A luncheon will be held in the parish hall following mass, all are invited. Donations in Shirley's memory may be made to the Cape Breton Cancer Society, Sydney Unit. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mclellanfuneralhome.com. She will be forever missed by her family but especially her husband and best friend of 56 years. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Pierre Laurendeau 72, Sydney - We regret to announce the passing of Pierre Laurendeau, 72, of Rotary Drive, Sydney, that occurred Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008, at home. Born in Montreal, Que., Dec. 4, 1935, he was the son of the late Sylva and Jeannine (Trudel) Laurendeau. Pierre worked in pest control for 26 years finishing his career as an entrepreneur creating Pierre's Pest Control. He is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Josephine (MacDonald) Laurendeau; his two children, Michael (Karen), Sydney, David (Tanya), New Waterford; three grandchildren, Jenna, Ryan and Andrew David. He is also survived by sisters and brothers, Jeannine Laurendeau (Lucien Corriveau), Jacques Laurendeau (Olive Laliberte), Fernand Laurendeau (Therese, deceased), Denise Laurendeau (Benoit Vincent), Jacqueline Laurendeau (Jean-Louis Doucet), all of Shawinigan, Que.; sisters-in-law, Mary (Phonce Chafe, deceased) and Betty (Hughie MacIntyre, deceased); many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by one brother, Jean Drouin-Laurendeau (Cecile). There will be no visitation by request, cremation has taken place. A graveside committal service will take place at a later date in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Port Hawkesbury. Memorial donations may be made to the Cape Breton Palliative Care Society, CBRH Cancer Center or the VON. Special thanks to the palliative caregivers, VON nurses, Dr. Pahil, Dr. Depatis, Dr. Dugas, Dr. Gillis and Dr. Liam Orrell. Online condolences may be sent to our web page at: www.chantfuneralhome.com. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Daniel Joseph (Josie) Laffin Alder Point - Daniel Joseph Laffin, 71, of Alder Point, passed away suddenly Oct. 10, 2008, at his home. Born in Alder Point, he was the son of the late Daniel Joseph and Doris (Simon) Laffin. Josie was a member of St. Joseph's parish, Bras d'Or. Josie loved working with his hands, the outdoors, hunting and four-wheeling. He is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Rita (Young) Laffin; children, Rose (Carl) MacKeigan, Sydney Mines, DJ (Nancy) Laffin, Alder Point, Joanne (Ronnie LeBlanc), Alder Point, Wayne (Haydee) Laffin, Guelph, Ont., Freda (Wally) MacLennan, Millville, Tammy (Troy MacAdam), Big Bras d'Or; grandchildren, Paige, Fraser, Tyler, Heather, Ryan, Taylor, Melissa; and his little man, Tyson; brother, Michael, St. Catharines, Ont.; sisters, Anne Laffin, Alder Point, and Judy Penny, Sydney Mines. Josie was predeceased by his mother and father, brothers, Kevin and DeDe, sisters, Gwen, Bernadette and a sister in infancy. Visitation for Daniel Joseph Laffin will be held in the J.M. Jobes Funeral Home, 635 Main St., Sydney Mines, today (Tuesday, Oct. 14) from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. A funeral mass to celebrate his life will be held Wednesday, Oct. 15 at 10:30 a.m. in St. Joseph Church, Bras d'Or, with Fr. Peter MacLeod officiating. The burial will take place in the parish cemetery. Donations in Daniel Joseph's memory may be made to a charity of one's choice. Online condolences may be sent to the family at jmjobesfuneralhome.ns.aliantzinc.ca. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Walter Norbet Gilmet 57, Glace Bay - It is with great sadness we the family announce the passing of Walter on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney, after a long battle with diabetes. Walter was an employee at Devco. Walter is survived by his loving partner, Lynda; daughter, Danielle Griffin and family, Nava, Ont.; son, Eric Gilmet and family, Nava, Ont.; three stepsons, Cory, Clayton, Clinton and stepdaughter, Heather. Walter will be missed by all grandchildren and pets, Traveller and Miss Gracie. Thank you to all the doctors and the ICU for all your help. There will be no visitation or funeral service as these were Walter's wishes. Cremation has taken place. Friends are welcome to pay respect at Walter's home. Condolences may be sent to the family at sydneymemorialchapel@ns.sympatico.ca. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Keith Jackson 84, North Sydney Funeral Notice - The funeral for the late Keith Jackson, 84, of North Sydney, who passed away Thursday, Oct. 9, 2008, will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday, from Calvary Baptist Church, North Sydney, with Rev. John Hannem officiating, with a reception to follow in the church hall. Burial in Lakeside Cemetery, North Sydney, at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Calvary Baptist Church, or any charity. Funeral arrangements under the direction of W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, North Sydney. Online condolences may be sent to info@wjdooley.com. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ René Joseph Ouellette 52, Halifax - René Joseph Ouelette, 52, Halifax, passed away suddenly by motor-vehicle accident on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008, in Antigonish County, N.S. Born in Rosemont, Montreal, Que., he was the son of the late Jerome and Paulette (Naud) Ouellette. Throughout his life, René had a passion for cars, both old and new, a hobby he shared with his youngest daughter. In 1982, René began a career as an autobody mechanic, and later became one of only two top automotive painters in the province. He had been employed with Halifax Chrysler Dodge for many years. He loved his family dearly, especially his girls, Desireé and Elizabeth, and the happiest day of his life was when his granddaughter, Jorja, was born. From that point in his life, he became 'Bampy' to his family. René will be sadly missed by his loving wife of 30 years, Barbara (Plummer); his daughters, Desireé and Elizabeth, both of Halifax; his granddaughter, Jorja; brother, Richard (Debbie Marriott-Ouellette), Sydney, N.S.; a niece; two nephews; as well as many co-workers, special friends, especially his neighbour, David Roach; many relatives in Montreal as well as four-legged best friend and companion, Summer. He was predeceased by his parents and an infant son, André Joseph. Cremation has taken place under the care of J. Albert Walker Funeral Home (2005) Ltd., 149 Herring Cove Rd., Spryfield, N.S. (902.477.5601), where a memorial service will be held Thursday, Oct. 16 at 2 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Patricia Malin as officiant. Interment will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, remembrances in memory of René may be made to the charity of one's choice. Words of comfort may be sent to the family by visiting www.walkerfh.com. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Charles Benjamin Bird - At Whisperwood Villa on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008, of Charles Benjamin Bird (veteran of the Second World War), Charlottetown, age 93 years. Charles was born in Neil's Harbour, C.B., N.S., the younger son of the late Richard Bird and Rachel (Williams) (James) Bird. He was most recently a resident of Whisperwood Villa, Pine Lodge and 6 Valhalla Dr., before that and previous to these a resident of East Suffolk Road. He was the beloved husband of the late Muriel P. (Heaney) Bird for 59 years. Loving father of Dorothy Drewett, Charlottetown, and Rev. Doreen Daley (Mike), Saint John, N.B. Loving grandfather of Wendall Drewett, Charlene (Larry Wayne Arsenault), Charles Drewett and Wendi Daley, all of Charlottetown, and Tracy Daley, Halifax. He is survived by six great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Predeceased by one grandson, Kenneth Drewett, by his brother, Cyril and by his half-brothers, George Bird, John Bird, Theo Bird and Joshua James. Resting at Belvedere Funeral Home from where the funeral will be held in the funeral home chapel on Wednesday at 11 a.m. Interment in Sherwood Cemetery. Visitation Tuesday 7-9 p.m. Flowers gratefully declined. Memorial donations may be made to the UPEI Library Fund. Charlottetown Branch No. 1 of the Royal Canadian Legion will hold a service of remembrance at the funeral home on Tuesday evening at 6:45 p.m. belvederefh.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Harvey Morrison 62, Truro - Harvey MacIntosh Morrison, 62, Truro, passed away Sunday, Oct. 12, 2008, in Colchester Regional Hospital, Truro. Born in New Glasgow, he was a son of the late, Rev. Allister and Margaret (MacRae) Morrison. Harvey was a member and retired employee of the Truro Horseman's Club. He was a member of RCAFA Wing 102, Truro. Harvey was an avid reader especially history and the Second World War in particular. He also enjoyed riding his motorcycle. Survived by his wife, Carol (Moore); daughter, Sarah, Truro; sisters, Barbara (Brian) Johnston, Mississauga, Ont., Helen (David) Fielding, Vancouver, B.C., Mary Morrison (Stan Knowles), Mississauga, Ont.; several nieces, nephews and grand-nieces and grand-nephews. Visitation will be 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15. Memorial service will be 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct.16, both in Colchester Community Funeral Home, 512 Willow St., Truro; Rev. Dr. Brian Ross officiating. Burial will take place at 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17 in Harbourview Cemetery, South Haven, Cape Breton, Rev. Lloyd Murdock officiating. Family flowers only please. Donations may be made to St. James Presbyterian Church Renovation Fund, Truro or charity of choice. Condolences to the family may be made at: www.colchestercommunity.com. ******************************************************************************* Cape Breton Deaths courtesy of CBGHA http://www.cbgha.org