Cape Breton Deaths August 08, 2008 Friday Gerald Keough 92, Sydney - It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Gerald Keough, 92, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2008, at 93 Leeside Dr., where he resided with his oldest son Ron. Gerald, known by many as 'Jerry' or 'Jed', was the oldest son of James and Elizabeth Keough (Haney) Heaney of French Street, Whitney Pier. He was predeceased by his wife, Bernadette (Bernie O'Neil). He was also predeceased by his parents, brother, Joseph (Joe), sister, Mary (Mamie) and his twin brother, Ronald. He is survived by his siblings, Madeline (Fitzgerald), Pierce, Jimmy and Anna (LeTourneau). Jerry's very full life was one he enjoyed thoroughly, especially those times spent with his family and friends. His capacity to help others will be missed by everyone. Jerry was a long-term employee of Dosco and Sydney Steel, retiring in 1980 after 46 years in the coke ovens department. During his latter years, some of Jerry's fondest memories were from his younger very active athletic days. He loved to reminisce about his many trips and adventures. He recently said that the one thing he would want to do one more time was 'play ball.' In the 1930s, Jerry was a well known sports figure. Know as 'lefty', he led the Sydney Wildcats to a Maritime championship. In deference to the 'batboy', Sam Murphy, Jerry was the last surviving member of this winning team. He also played hockey but it was 'playing ball' that he loved. Jerry remained active in sports for as long as possible. When he could no longer play ball, he and his wife Bernie became active bowlers. In the 40s, Jerry built his family home in Ashby where he and Bernie raised their five children. While living there, they were active members of St. Theresa's parish. During the past 24 years, he resided in Coxheath and attended Our Lady of Fatima. Like many Cape Bretoners, Jerry looked forward to the many visits by his children and grandchildren 'from away.' He missed them terribly. He made frequent trips across the country to visit with them as well. During these trips 'out west' Jerry was able to help his son Jack build his house in B.C. on Green Lake; sing along while his daughter Fran played the piano; watch his son Jerry Pat play oldtimers hockey and display the hockey skills he loved to watch; savour the wonderful meals his daughter Alayne prepared. At home, he zealously and competitively played cards with his son Ron. He loved helping Bernie make her delicious bread. He was proud of their garden producing some of the best tomatoes and rhubarb anywhere for family and friends to enjoy. He was proud of and loved his family dearly. For anyone that knew Jerry, his playfulness with and love of children was an endearing quality. His grandchildren, especially, have been left with many loving memories to cherish forever. Though their children moved 'away' to live and raise their families, Jerry along with his wife Bernie became surrogate grandparents/parents to a few young families living near them, and among these were the MacEachern girls, who they loved dearly. Gerald is survived and will be sadly missed by his five children, Fran (Alan Markwart), Victoria, Alayne (David Hopgood), Vancouver, Ron, Sydney, Jack, Green Lake, and Jerry-Pat (Kathy Leidl), Prince George; by his nine grandchildren, Priscilla and Jay Markwart; Amber, Elizabeth and Stephen Hopgood, David and Karen Keough; Sean Keough; Dennis Fricker; and two great- grandchildren, Taylor Hutchinson and Taylor Anne Fricker. Jerry was predeceased by his companion pet of 24 years, Bijou. Visitation will be held at T.W. Curry Parkview Chapel from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 10. Funeral mass will be held at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Sydney River, at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 11. Online condolences may be sent to twcurryparkviewchapel@ns.sympatico.ca or www.mem.com. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mary Frances Gatza 68, New Waterford - It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Mary Frances Gatza, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2008, at the New Waterford Consolidated Hospital, surrounded by her loving family. Born in New Waterford, she was the daughter of the late Michael And Rose (Oliver) Nearing. Mary was a devoted wife and mother who loved spending time with her family. For many years, she enjoyed going on fishing trips, playing darts and going to bingo with her husband. She also enjoyed playing cards with her friends. Mary is survived by her loving husband of 51 years, Floyer Gatza, the love of her life; three daughters, Rosemary, at home, Florene, New Waterford, and Wendy (George) Crummey, B.C.; one son, Shannon (Shauna), New Waterford; five grandchildren, Chris and Crystal Gatza, New Waterford, Natasha Crummey, B.C., Danae Gatza, New Waterford; and a very special grandson, Craig Gatza, at home. She is also survived by one sister, Theresa Gaetan (Benny) and two brothers, Tim (Pam) and Michael. Besides her parents, Mary was predeceased by one sister, Rose Nearing, By her request, there will be no visitation. Cremation has taken place under the direction of McLellan Brothers Funeral Home, 3183 Plummer Ave., New Waterford, N.S., 862-7500. A funeral service to celebrate Mary's life will be held 11 a.m., Monday, Aug. 11 at McLellan Brothers Funeral Home Chapel, with Fr. Doug MacDonald officiating. Donations in Mary's memory may be made to Palliative Care. To send online condolences go to www.mclellanfuneralhome.com. She will be sadly missed but never forgotten. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ella Mae (MacKinnon) Cameron - Ella Mae Cameron, 80, formerly of Sydney, passed away peacefully, in the presence of her family on Aug. 6, 2008. Born at Little Bras d'Or, she was the daughter of the late John Collins and Denise (Joiret Tourney) MacKinnon of Bras d'Or. She is survived by two sons, Dr. Stewart and his wife Cathy, Halifax, Barry and his wife Pamela, Chilliwack, B.C.; and three daughters, Shelley and her husband Al Parenteau, LeDuc, Alta., Denise and her husband Leo Cameron, Carrollton, Tex., and Tracey and her husband Karl Blomquist, Ottawa, Ont. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Martin James, her son, Graham Mitchell, her sister, Elizabeth Gamble and her brother James 'Spider' MacKinnon. She was a proud and caring grandmother of 16 grandchildren, Andrea, Lisa and Brooke Cameron, Halifax, Morgan, Wyatt, Tayler and Peyton Cameron, Chilliwack, Lindsay Cameron, Gillian, Samantha and Connor Findlay, LeDuc, Connie Lavigne-Terry, Halifax, and Paul Terry, Carrollton, and Jordan, Shane and Devon Blomquist, Ottawa as well as two great-grandchildren of Chilliwack. Also surviving are two sisters, Colleen Blom, Halifax, and Denise Young, Little Bras d'Or; and six brothers, Byron, Victoria, B.C., Joseph, Colin and Paul, Halifax, George, North Sydney and Gilbert, California. During the Second World War she was a member of the Canadian Women's Army Corps (CWAC) and held the rank of sergeant. Following her service she graduated from the Empire Business College. She was employed at the Sydney Steel Corp. general office, the Cape Breton Post and as a legal secretary for Sullivan Smith, Sydney. She was an accomplished seamstress and always 'matched her plaids and patterns.' Of all the things that mattered, the most important to her was her family. She was an amazing wife, mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, neighbour and friend to all who knew her. She had a heart of gold, loved everyone and was easy to love. She opened her heart and home to family and friends and even to strangers. Ella was well known for her baking and cooking abilities and she loved to try new recipes. If she knew you were coming, she would be sure to have your favourite treat waiting for you. She was renowned for her scrabble prowess and flattened the best opponents. She was fiercely proud of being a Cape Bretoner and she and her sisters constantly travelled the island to attend concerts and Celtic events. A very special thank you to the staff of Robertson House in Ottawa for making Ella feel at home and for their loving care and attention to her every need. A heartfelt thanks goes out to the staff of Queensway - Carleton Hospital whose care and concern for both Ella and her family was exemplary. There will be no visitation at her request. Celebrations of her life will be held in Halifax and Sydney at dates to be announced. Burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery, Sydney Forks. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Palliative Care at Queensway - Carleton Hospital in Ottawa, Ont. or to the Cameron Memorial Scholarship at Sydney Academy. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Doris Acker 88, Dartmouth - Doris G. Acker, 88, Dartmouth, passed away peacefully in her sleep, Aug. 6, 2008, in Oakwood Terrace. Born in Glace Bay, she was a daughter of the late Michael H. and Frances (Roberts) Campbell. Doris was a longtime member of St. Anthony's parish, Dartmouth, and was a member of the CWL for over 40 years. She moved to Kitchener, Ont. during the war time to help out in a munitions factory. She worked as a lunch monitor at John Martin Junior High for several years. She enjoyed reading, skating, swimming and various crafts. Doris was never at a loss for words and thoroughly enjoyed sharing her life stories with anyone who would lend an ear. Her fun-loving spirit will be fondly remembered and missed by all who knew her. She is survived by her daughter, Susan (Gerrard) Garden, Enfield; sons, Harold, Dartmouth, Robert, Calgary, Michael (Carole), Ostrea Lake; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her loving husband of 48 years, Harry E. Acker, sister, Kathleen, brother, David. Visiting 6-8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 8 in A.L. Mattatall Funeral Home. Funeral mass 9 a.m., Saturday in St. Anthony's Catholic Church, Fr. Jan Grotkowski officiating. Burial in Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Family flowers only. Donations to the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia or Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia. E-mail condolences to: condolences.mattatall@ns.aliantzinc.ca, this may also be viewed at www.mem.com. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Tom Marshall 71, Eskasoni - It is with great sadness that we, the family, announce the passing of Tom Marshall, 71, of Eskasoni. He passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2008, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney, surrounded by his family. He was a member of the Holy Family parish, Eskasoni. He was born in Eskasoni and was the son of the late John P. and the late Martha (MacDonald) Marshall. Tom worked in Boston for 38 years as a carpenter. He is survived by his brothers, Peter, Albert (Murdena) and Gabriel. Also surviving are his godchildren, Michelle Marshall-Johnson, Donna Sylliboy and Betty Gould as well as many nieces and nephews. Tom was predeceased by his sister, Catherine Jeddore and brothers, Pius and Alfred Gerard. By his request, cremation has taken place and there will be no visitation. A funeral mass to celebrate Tom's life will be held Saturday, Aug. 9 at 10:30 a.m. at the Holy Family parish of Eskasoni, with Fr. Martin MacDougall officiating. Burial in the parish cemetery. Meal and salite to follow at the Gabriel Centre, all are invited. Online condolences may be sent to twcurryparkviewchapel@ns.sympatico.ca. ******************************************************************************* Cape Breton Deaths courtesy of CBGHA http://www.cbgha.org