Cape Breton Deaths August 20, 2008 Wednesday Avice Marie (Lewis) Matheson 81, New Waterford - Avice Matheson, 81, of New Waterford, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2008, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney. Born in Reserve Mines, she was a daughter of the late Adam and Adelaide (Lewis) Lewis. Avice was active in Calvin United Church as a co-director of the choir as well as president of Calvin UCW. She was also a member of the Cape Breton Chorale. A devoted teacher of over 40 years, she taught at both Central and Breton Education Centre. Her hobbies included oil painting and swimming. She also loved spending time at her 'home away from home' in Sangaree where she would swim by day and sit around the fire by night. Surviving are husband of 59 years, Donald Matheson; sons, Ian (Kathleen) Matheson and children Molly and Ben, Canmore, Alta., David (Ida) Matheson and sons Kent and Tyler, New Waterford, Allan (Daisy) Matheson and daughter Devyn, Canmore, Alta.; special sister, Joan (Murray) Sharpe, Truro; one nephew, Adam and one niece, Joyce Brown. Avice was predeceased by one brother, Worrell. Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held Thursday, Aug. 21 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. in V.J. McGillivray Funeral Homes, 380 Smith St., New Waterford. A funeral service will take place Friday, Aug. 22 at 2 p.m. in Calvin United Church with Rev. Duncan Roach officiating. Burial will be in Forest Haven Memorial Gardens with a reception to follow in Calvin Hall. Avice's cremated remains will be taken to the church at noon Friday. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Calvin United Church or a charity of one's choice. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at: www.vjmcgillivray.net. A special thank you to doctors and nursing staff of ICU and 4D of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital for all their care and support. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ George Henry Verge Sr. 67, Glace Bay - George Verge, 67, of Warren Street, Glace Bay, passed away suddenly Monday, Aug.18, 2008, at his residence. Born in Harbour Grace, N.L., George was the son of the late George Peter and Annie (Taylor) Verge. George was a member of St. Mary's Anglican Church, Glace Bay. He was a Third Degree member of The Thistle Number 36, Masonic Lodge, Port Morien. George was an iron worker welder for over 30 years and belonged to Local 721 in Toronto. He worked all over Canada and eventually retired from Dominion Bridge Co. in Toronto. George was very proud to have worked on the construction of the Sky Dome and CN Tower. He loved walks on the beach with his grandchildren, fishing, gardening, hanging out at Tim Hortons and doing some small welding. George will be remembered as a very compassionate man who would go all out for his family and friends. A unique man with a quick wit, hardy laugh and a smile that was piercing would be other personal traits he possessed. George was also a great lover of animals and will be missed by his dog, Toby and his cat Smokey. He is survived by his wife, the former, Nola Anita Hibbert from New Waterford; two daughters, Kathy (Al) Goulet, Calgary, Helen Verge, Port Perry, Ont.; and his son, George Henry Verge Jr. (Karen), Glace Bay. George is survived by his four brothers, Les Verge (Anita), Frank Verge (Lucy), Billy Verge (Audrey), all in Ontario, Llewellyn (Karen), Vancouver; two sisters, Bridget Verge and Angela (John) Porter, both in Newfoundland. George will be sadly missed by his five grandchildren, Adrian, Brandon, Carly, Adam and Emily. He was predeceased by one sister, Frances Oldford from Newfoundland. Visitation will be held Thursday evening, Aug. 21 from 7-9 p.m. and Friday 2-4, 7-9 p.m. in the V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 16 Reserve St., Glace Bay. The funeral service officiated by Rev. Vernon Reid will be Saturday at 11 a.m. in St. Mary's Anglican Church, Glace Bay, followed by interment in St. Paul's Anglican Cemetery, Port Morien. As an expression of sympathy for George, donations in his memory may be made to the Glace Bay Food Bank. Condolences to the family can be expressed through the funeral home website at www.vjmcgillivray.net. Members of The Thistle No. 36 Masonic Lodge, Port Morien, will hold a service at the funeral home Friday evening at 6:45 p.m. The Verge family would like to extend sincere thanks to Const. Wayne Crowe and Const. Michael Burns, Glace Bay paramedics and Rev. Vernon Reid. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Doris Joyce Healey 82, Hamilton, Ont. - Word has been received of the death of Doris Healey (nee Howell), on Aug. 13, 2008, in Ontario. She was a longtime member of Bethel Gospel Tabernacle, Hamilton. Born and raised in Whitney Pier, she was predeceased by her parents, Eli and Lucy (Pynn) Howell, brother, Ernest and brother-in-law, Frank Tarr. She is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, Raymond; children, Beverly Holloway (Allen), Erna and David Healey and several grand- and great-grandchildren, Ontario. She will be deeply missed by sister, Vivian Tarr and brother, Stanley (Audrey) Howell, Sydney. Funeral service took place at Crestmont Funeral Home with interment at Mount Hamilton Cemetery, Ontario. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Alphonse 'Diddles' Delaney 80, Sydney - Alphonse 'Al' Delaney, 80, of Whitney Avenue, passed away peacefully, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2008, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney. Born in Sydney, he was the son of the late Bernard F. and Sarah (Wade) Delaney. Diddles was a lifetime member of St. Theresa's parish and an avid skater who frequented rinks and arenas in Cape Breton County. He was very involved in union activities with the United Steelworkers of America local 1064, particularly in his duties as Grievance Chairman. Al was employed for over 30 years with the Railway Department of Sydney Steel. He is survived by his wife, the former Theresa Jane MacDonald; sons, Robert Joseph 'Bob' (Colleen Callahan), Rhode Island, John Gerard 'Jack' (Susan), Halifax; five grandchildren, Lenora, Lennan, Andrew, Nicole, Lisa; a brother, 'Mike' (Eva), East Bay; three sisters, Mrs. Annie 'Tiny' MacDonald, Mary (Bernie) Doucette, both of Mira Road, and Mrs. Clara Lloyd, Sydney. He was predeceased by brothers, Bill and Frank 'Tan' and a sister, Margaret 'Peggy' Hartigan. Visitation will take place today (Wednesday, Aug. 20) from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at T.W. Curry Parkview Chapel. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. at St. Theresa's Church with Rev. Jim Oliver officiating. Reception to follow in St. Theresa's hall. Donations may be made to the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation or charity of choice. Online condolences may be sent to twcurryparkviewchapel@ns.sympatico.ca or www.mem.com. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Wilhela Jean Eileen (MacKinnon) McNeil 69, Glace Bay - Wilhela Jean Eileen (MacKinnon) McNeil, 69, of Hickman Street, Glace Bay, passed away at Glace Bay Healthcare Complex on Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2008, surrounded by her loving family. She is survived by her husband, John Peck McNeil and children, John McNeil (Valerie), Paradise, Nfld., Elizabeth McNeil-Coggins (Chris), Waterloo, Ont., Stephen McNeil (Allison), Olive Branch, Miss., Joseph McNeil (Angie), Glace Bay, N.S., and Jason McNeil (Leanne), Sydney, N.S. She had many beautiful grandchildren who adored her including Kara, Ashley, Caprice, Cameron, Clarissa, Kathryn, Dillon, Steven, Alex, Stephanie, Michelle and Dougie. She is also survived by her siblings, Helen Tramontin, Toronto, Ont., Marga Morrissey (Ray), Barrie, Ont., Beth Broderick (Charles), Coxheath, N.S., Frank MacKinnon (Lynn), Red Deer, Atla., James MacKinnon (Ann), Sydney, N.S., and Scott MacKinnon, Halifax, N.S. A special thank you to her sister-in-law, Mary Campbell, who spent many loving hours caring for her. She was predeceased by her parents Bessie (Olgivie) and Frank McKinnon of Glace Bay, N.S. Wilhela spent most of her life as a teacher starting at St John's and St Anne's schools and later becoming a substitute teacher specializing in French and art. She completed her bachelor of arts degree at the age of 54 and loved learning. She was a very talented artist and painted oil paintings in her spare time. Wilhela was also involved in the community including being a member of the Kinsmen and the Kinettes of Glace Bay and a choir member of St. Anne's Church. Wilhela, to those who knew her, was a sweet, kind, loving person and to those who didn't, as a giving, open individual who would do anything to help someone out. Her sharp wit and laughter will be missed by her family and those who knew her but will live on in our memories. Visitation will be at Patten's Funeral Home, 71 Union St., Glace Bay, 849-7520, Wednesday, Aug. 20 from 7-9 p.m., and Thursday, Aug. 21, 2-4 and 7-9 p.m., with funeral services being held at Holy Cross Church at 10 a.m., Friday, Aug. 22 with Fr. Conrad Edwards officiating. Internment to be at St Joseph's graveyard. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Alzheimer's or Parkinson's Society. Online condolences may be made at www.mem.com. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Pamela Barlow Brooks Dec. 5, 1943-Aug. 8, 2008 - Pamela passed away peacefully in the company of loving friends and family members at her home on Pender Island, B.C., after a nine-year encounter with cancer. Pamela was born in Frimly North Surrey, U.K., and immigrated to Canada in the early 1960s. She lived in North Sydney, and on the South Side of Boularderie in the early to mid-70s before moving to Victoria, B.C. Pamela was a highly prolific artist, considered a visionary and ahead of her time; this career was ignited during her time in Cape Breton. Pamela had numerous accomplishments; a founding member of the Fairbanks Calligraphy Society in Victoria; a master calligrapher, an accomplished painter, taught ballet, organic gardener; and a Buddhist who recently worked at the Georgia O'Keefe's Ghost Ranch in Albique New Mexico. Pamela is survived by her husband, Wayne Cartwright, Pender Island; son, Michael and his partner, Wade, Ladner, B.C.; and three brothers in Northern England and numerous loving friends. One of her parting wishes in her memory is to buy a live crab from your local supermarket and set it free in the ocean. We'll miss her. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Kathleen Marjorie MacNeil 91, Westmount - Kathleen Marjorie MacNeil, 91, of Westmount, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Aug. 17, 2008. Born in Liverpool N.S., she was the daughter of the late James Henry and Violet (Herman) Leslie. She was a former member of Holy Rosary parish, Westmount; and was once an active member in both the parish CWL and Westmount Seniors Club. She is survived by her foster daughter, Brenda, Weymouth, Mass.; two sons, Timothy Allan, Foxborough, Mass., Michael Edgar (Christine), Rochester, Mass.; and grandchildren, Kaitlin, Christian, Dawn, Barbara, Michael, Robert and Teri. She was predeceased by her husband Edgar in 1986. By request there will be no visitation. Online condolences may be sent to twcurryparkviewchapel@ns.sympatico.ca. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Bernie Cathcart Age 64 - Bernie Cathcart passed away at London Health Sciences Centre University Hospital on Friday, Aug. 8, 2008, surrounded by his loving family and friends. He was the beloved husband of the late Joan Cathcart; dear father of Charlene (Bruce), London; dear brother of Joan (Glenn), Halifax, Sharon (Russell), Halifax, Thelma (Jim), Dominion, Wayne (Sandra), Greenwood, Billy (Debbie), Winnipeg, Ira (Mary), Dominion; dear son-in-law of Rose White, London; and brother-in-law of Pat Cathcart. Also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents, William and Reta Cathcart, Dominion, his brother, Sheldon and sister, Florence. Visitations were held in the Evans Funeral Home, London, Ont., on Aug. 13, 2008. Friends who wish may make memorial donations to London Humane Society, ICU Unit, London or charity of choice. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Kenneth Thomas Bonnar - Peacefully in his sleep, at the Henderson General Hospital, with his family by his side, on Monday, Aug. 18, 2008, at the age of 65. Beloved husband of Pearl for 45 years. Loving father of Charlotte (Sonny), Karen (Dan), Ken (Naomi), Bill (Leona) and Ed (Suzy), and Buttons. Much loved Poppie of Crystal, Linda, Heather, Danny, Kristopher, Michelle, Brandon, Sarah, Samantha, Kenny, Rose, Marisa, Eden, Ronnie, Megan, Tommy and Austin. Brother of Betty, Bill (Shirley) and John (Irene). Will be sadly missed by mother-in-law, Sadie, in-laws, Doreen (George), John (Karen) and George Junior (Diane). Will also be lovingly remembered by his many nieces and nephews and his many friends. Visitation will be held at Donald V. Brown Funeral Home, 36 Lake Avenue Dr., Stoney Creek, Ont., L8G 3N3, on Friday, Aug. 22 at 3-5 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral service Saturday, Aug. 23 at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated by the family. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Thomas Gordon Wilcox - It is with great sadness that Joyce Wilcox and Lynn (George) Bessey, Suzanne (John) Fletcher and Chris Wilcox announce the death of their husband and father on Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2008. Tom was born Feb. 7, 1924, in Gabarus, C.B., the youngest of 10 children and married Joyce, the love of his life on Dec. 31, 1946. They spent 61 happy years together. Tom and Joyce moved to St. Catharines in 1952, where Tom was employed at General Motors until an early retirement in 1982. He was a proud member of the Royal Canadian Naval Association, Niagara Region after serving as a stoker on the Chebouge in the Second World War and later the merchant marines. He will be missed by his grandchildren, Jodi Bessey, Debbie Howlett and Marc and Katie Fletcher. Tom was particularly pleased to know that both Chris (Kelly, Hannah, Orion) and Jodi (Tim) have met new people to share their futures with. Tom is survived by one brother, Danny, Sydney, N.S.; and many nieces and nephews whom he kept in touch with. Tom loved to return to Cape Breton each summer to fish with Ewen and connect with friends. Tom died at home in his sleep after battling several illnesses over the years. Cremation has taken place. Family and friends will be received at the George Darte Funeral Chapel, 585 Carlton St., Monday, Aug. 25 from 10 a.m. until the time of funeral service at 11 a.m. in the chapel with private family; inurnment to occur at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations made to the Canadian Down Syndrome Society or the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be appreciated by the family. ******************************************************************************* Cape Breton Deaths courtesy of CBGHA http://www.cbgha.org