Cape Breton Deaths October 24, 2008 Friday William Alfred 'Alfie' Sampson 89, Dartmouth - William Alfred 'Alfie' Sampson, 89, of Dartmouth, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2008, in Dartmouth General Hospital. Born on Aug. 4, 1919, in Sydney, he was the eldest son of Bert and Bertha (MacDonald) Sampson. In his working life in Sydney, he was a General Motors and Dodge auto dealer, owned and operated Briands Taxi, Rocket Car Wash and other businesses. In Dartmouth, he had several positions in the automobile industry. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Kiwanis Club, Sydney Yacht and Curling clubs and played an active role in the building of St. Anthony Daniel Church, Sydney. He loved sharing his home and cottage in Ben Eoin with family, friends and relatives. His passion in earlier days, was flying his airplane, boating and fishing. He was never happier than when he was able to treat those he cared about. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Lillian J. (Ponee) Sampson; by his children, Gail Sampson, Sydney, Andree MacKenzie, Dartmouth, Bertilla Sampson (Wayne Struthers), Dartmouth, Camille (Barry) Buck, Winnipeg, Bill (Susan) Sampson, Middleton, Glen (Gina) Sampson, Dartmouth, and Michelle (Leo) Zinati, Waverley; 12 grandchildren, Leah and Chris Bacich, Alex MacKenzie, Lauren Sampson, Tara Solarz and Scarlett Solarz-Buck, Greg and Ashley Sampson, Eric and Scott Sampson, Joseph and Carlo Zinati. He is also survived by brothers, John Sampson, Sydney, and Gerard (Joyce) Sampson, Sydney; sister, Zelia (Buddy) Nardocchio, Sydney; and brother-in-law, Erwin MacMaster. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by brother, Peter, and sisters, Theresa Campbell, Bernie MacMaster and Mary McGuire. Cremation has taken place under the care of Lindsay's Windsor Funeral Home, 194 King St., Windsor. There will be no visitation by request. A memorial service will be held 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 27, 2008, in St. Thomas More Roman Catholic Church, Caledonia and Main Street, Dartmouth, with Rev. Fr. Ronald Cairns officiating. Interment will be held at the Dartmouth Memorial Gardens. Family flowers only, donations in memory of Alfie may be made to the Dartmouth General Hospital or to a charity of one's choice. Sign the book of condolence, click on Obituaries at www.lindsaysfuneralhome.com. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Marguerite MacNeil 85, Hammonds Plains/Sydney Mines - We regret to announce the passing of Marguerite MacNeil on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2008, peacefully, with her family by her side, after a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer. Born and raised in Sydney Mines, she was the daughter of the late Alexander and Rebecca (Cantwell) Handley. She had a tremendous faith and was a life long parishioner of Immaculate Conception parish in Sydney Mines, as well as a faithful member of the CWL. Marguerite loved life and enjoyed every day of life that God gave her. In 1942, always the adventurer, she took a train ride with her lifelong friend, Regis MacQueen and went to work in a war plant in Ajax, Ont. After 18 years of adventure in Ontario, she returned 'home to Bogrow' to care for her parents. It was following this that she embarked on another new life as wife, mother and as always, aunt. She cherished all of her many nieces and nephews, and always enjoyed news of their lives. She and Stanley felt their lives were made complete with the birth of their two special grandsons. They made a brave move to leave Sydney Mines and moved to Hammonds Plains in 2005 to be closer to 'the boys'. Marguerite is survived by her husband, Stanley MacNeil; daughter, Becky (Dennis) Hamlin; grandsons, Mark and Matthew, all of Hammonds Plains. She is also survived by sisters, Mrs. Mary Barry, Sydney Mines, and Mrs. Theresa Hewitt, Peterborough, Ont.; and many treasured nieces, nephews and friends. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by sisters, Mrs. Rebecca Hennessey, Mrs. Annie Mae Steele and brothers, Alexander, William and James Handley. Visitation for Marguerite MacNeil will be held in the J. M. Jobes Funeral Home, 635 Main St., Sydney Mines, on Sunday, Oct. 26 from 2-4 p.m. A funeral mass to celebrate her life will take place Monday at 10 a.m. in Immaculate Conception Church, Sydney Mines, with Fr. Hughie MacNeil officiating. The burial will be in the parish cemetery. Donations in Marguerite's memory may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, or to a charity of one's choice. Online condolences may be sent to the family at jmjobesfuneralhome@ns.aliantzinc.ca. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Merrill MacKenzie Huntington 1937-2008 - Born in Cape Breton to the late Fred Huntington and Barbara (MacKenzie) Huntington. On Wednesday, Oct.15, 2008, Merrill lost his courageous battle with prostate cancer. Merrill worked outdoors most of his adult life, but it was the Sydney Steel plant he left in 1967 when he moved to Toronto with his wife and baby son to find a better life for his family. He attended the Devry technical institute for two years to obtain his technical certification before taking a job as a line worker for Bell Canada. Merrill loved this job, and remained a line worker until his retirement from Maritime Telegraph and Telephone in 1999. In 1974 Nova Scotia called him home and he returned to Dartmouth with his wife and two children, a daughter having joined his family during his time 'down the road'. Merrill always loved the outdoors, particularly hunting and fishing. Golf was a fond pastime also, especially with his friends and men from the company who were all always ready to have a laugh at each other's expense. Music was a passion for Merrill his entire life, and during his later years he discovered the joy of performing and playing guitar and singing. This brought a number of new and great friends into Merrill's life. Merrill looked forward every year to the summer months when he would spend time on the Mira where he had his cabin looking over the river. Merrill was a friend of Bill for the past 28 years. His friends and family will attest to his sense of humour, specifically his sense of mischief in the presence of authority. If friends and family would talk, many others would well shake their heads in amazement. His sense of fun aside, Merrill always, always put his family, friends (several of whom were family to him), and even strangers before himself. He was an active participant in the special needs support groups, spending his weekends at the bowling alley with the people who enjoyed this so much. Merrill is survived by Viola Huntington (Olie MacKinnon), his beloved wife and partner in life of 45 years; his daughter, Laurel Ann; his son, Clifford and wife Julie; his two granddaughters, Tahlia and Riley; and his best friend Earl Hodgson and wife Jane. Merrill is also survived by brothers and sisters, Lorna Stuckless, Lowell and wife Helen, Lyndon and partner Catherine; sister in-law, Sharon; and too many nieces and nephews to count here. Merrill was predeceased by his brother, Terrence. Merrill will be missed terribly by all of us, but we will always be thankful for the time he shared with us. His family would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the kind people who gave such good care to Merrill during his illness. To the staff and the Palliative care unit in 7a at the VG hospital, the people at the Red Cross, the people at the VON, and his personal physician and oncologist. Thank you so much for your compassion and your efforts to give Merrill's last days as much dignity and comfort as was humanly possible. Merrill's children wish to also say thank you to the family and friends who provided so much support for Merrill and Viola during this terribly difficult time. We invite you to join us in celebrating Merrill's life on Saturday, Oct. 25 at the Centennial Branch Legion Branch 160, 703 Main St., Dartmouth from 2-6 p.m. We would ask that Merrill's musical friends please bring their instruments and singing voices. No flowers by the family's request. If you so wish please consider either donations Support Services Group (SSG), 10 Dundas St., Dartmouth, 466 0230, or your local food bank. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mary Carmella 'Mella' Sharpe Tower Road, Glace Bay - Mary Carmella Sharpe of Tower Road, Glace Bay, passed away peacefully Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2008, at the Glace Bay Hospital. Born in Glace Bay, Mella was the daughter of the late Ronald and Margaret (Thompkins) MacLean. Mella was an original member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Tower Road Fire Department and a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 119 and Branch 3. She enjoyed knitting and rug hooking. Mella enjoyed the simple pleasures of life and was known to have a good sense of humour. But mostly, she will be remembered as a compassionate and loving wife, mother and grandmother. Mella is survived by her husband of 62 years, Maynard Sharpe; daughters, Patricia Turner, Ottawa, Barbara (Paul) Thorburn, St. John's, N.L.; and one son, Kippy (Karen) Sharpe, Birch Grove. Also left to mourn her passing are siblings, Moody (Louise) MacLean, Glace Bay, Ronald MacLean, Massachusetts, Helen (Earl) MacDonald, Glace Bay, Viola (Greg) Penney, Massachusetts, and Emma (Joe) Nolan, Glace Bay. Mella is survived by seven grandchildren whom she greatly adored, Lisa, Adam, Keelin, Elizabeth, James, Kiara and Brooke. Mella was predeceased by siblings, Stasia (Joe) Fricker, Kenney MacLean, June (Lawrence) Carter and Bobby MacLean. Visitation for Mella will be held Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. in the V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 16 Reserve St., Glace Bay. The funeral mass officiated by Rev. Jake Andrea is Saturday at 11 a.m. in St. Anthony's Church, Glace Bay. Cremation to follow with interment at a later date. A reception will be held in the parish hall, directly below the church. Condolences to the family can be expressed through the funeral home website: www.vjmcgillivray.net. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mary E. 'Betty' Hinchey Seratto 76, New Waterford - It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Mary E. 'Betty' Hinchey Seratto on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2008, at her home. Born in New Waterford, she was the daughter of the late John and Marie (Ranson) McNamara. Betty was a 'lover of music'. In earlier years she enjoyed dancing, playing the piano and sing-a-longs. She is survived by longtime friend and companion, Gregory Bennett; pet dog 'the baby', Sam; a grandson, John Michael Hinchey and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Besides her parents, Betty was predeceased by her husband, William Hinchey, a son, John and a daughter, Mildred. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. There will be no visitation by her request. Cremation has taken place under the direction of McLellan Brothers Funeral Home, 3183 Plummer Ave., New Waterford, N.S., 862-7500. A private burial will take place at a later date. Donations in Betty's memory may be made to Palliative Care or the VON. To send online condolences to the family, go to www.mclellanfuneralhome.com. A special 'Thank You' to Palliative Care, VON and all doctors who cared for Betty - God bless you all. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Christine Katherine MacLean 81, Sydney Mines - With broken hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt, Christine Katherine 'Kaye' MacLean, at home, on Oct. 18, 2008, at the age of 81 years. Born in Englishtown, she was the only daughter of the late Murdock and Janie (MacRitchie) Campbell. She was the sole survivor of her immediate family. Left to mourn her passing are her son, Arnie (Eileen), Englishtown; daughters, Janie and Lorna (Mike), Sydney Mines, as well as her daughter-in-law, Cathy, St. Catharines, Ont. She leaves behind her beloved grandchildren, Katie, Siobhan, Sluaghan, Zachary, Jason, Cameron (Charlotte) and great-granddaughter, Taytem Jade. She will be dearly missed by her much-loved brother-in-law, Harold (Ruth) MacLean, Sydney Mines; her special nephews, Carl (Emiline) and Robert (Gert) Campbell, Englishtown and 'adopted daughter', Anna MacDonald, Florence. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews, whom Mom held very dear. Katherine was predeceased by her beloved husband and best friend, Melvin, her eldest son, Donald, her great-granddaughter, Adrianna, her brothers, Thomas (Isa) and John, as well as a brother in infancy As were her wishes, cremation has taken place under the care and direction of J. M. Jobes Funeral Home, 635 Main St., Sydney Mines. Her ashes, and those of our brother Don will join Dad in a family ceremony in Lakeside Cemetery. A celebration of Mom's life will take place Wednesday, Oct. 29 at 2 p.m. in St. Mark's Presbyterian Church, Englishtown, with Rev. Ritchie Robinson officiating. All are welcome to come celebrate with us. Online condolences may be sent to the family at jmjobesfuneralhome@ns.aliantzinc.ca. "Good-bye is not forever. Good-bye is not the end. Good-bye is missing you with all our hearts, until we meet again." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ MacEachern, Sr. Catherine Ellen (Sr. St. Kilda) CND - At Notre Dame Convent on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2008, of Sr. Catherine Ellen MacEachern, (Sr. St. Kilda) CND, Charlottetown, age 93 years. Remembered by her niece, Marie Smith and her nephew, Harold MacDonald (Ann) and by many cousins. Predeceased by her parents, Hugh and Sarah (MacLellen) MacEachern and by her sister, Mrs. Kathy MacDonald. Forwarded from Belvedere Funeral Home to Notre Dame Convent until Saturday at 12:45, then to St. Dunstan's Basilica for funeral mass at 1 p.m. Visitation Friday 2-5 p.m. Interment in the Roman Catholic Cemetery, Charlottetown. www.belvederefh.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Norman Dickie Oxford - Norman Dickie of Oxford, passed away suddenly at Amherst on Oct. 13, 2008. Norman is survived by his wife, the former Camilla Sutherland; sister, Helen Miller and extended family. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to MacDiarmid's Funeral Home, Oxford. Funeral mass was celebrated Oct. 16, 2008, at St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, Springhill, Rev. Fr. David MacDonald officiating. ******************************************************************************* Cape Breton Deaths courtesy of CBGHA http://www.cbgha.org