Cape Breton Deaths December 19, 2008 Friday William Murray 'Will' MacAulay 86, Glace Bay William MacAulay, 86, of Taigh Na Mara Nursing Home, Glace Bay, passed away Thursday, Dec. 18, 2008. Born in Glace Bay, Will was the son of the late Jim and Annabelle MacAulay. Will was a member of St. John's Church, Glace Bay. He was employed at numbers 1B, 26, 20 collieries, and retired from the Devco machine shop in Glace Bay. Will was a veteran of the Second World War, obtaining the title of sergeant and serving overseas in Italy, Holland and France for five years. He was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch No. 3, Glace Bay. Will loved to read, travel and was an avid sports enthusiast, playing both basketball and baseball. He was very active in his church and was on the board of directors of the Coady Credit Union for 30 years. Will was a very gentle man who will be remembered for the great love and compassion he gave to his wife, children and grandchildren. Will is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary (Kelly) MacAulay; one son, Gary (Nancy) MacAulay; and one daughter, Belinda (Ralph) Hoffman, both in Glace Bay. Will is also survived by his five grandchildren whom he greatly adored, Chad, Ryan, Jill Hoffman, Luke and Brianna MacAulay. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family and was predeceased by four sisters, Alice May, Katie Belle, Sadie, Christine, two brothers, John and Gus. Visitation will be held Sunday, Dec. 21 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. in the V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 16 Reserve St., Glace Bay. The funeral mass will be celebrated Monday at 2 p.m. in St. John's Church followed by interment in the parish cemetery. Veterans and legion members will form an honour guard in memory of their comrade at the church entrance. As an expression of sympathy for William, donations in his memory may be made to the Nova Scotia Alzhiemers Association or a charity of one's choice. Condolences can also be sent to the MacAulay family at www.vjmcgillivray.ca. Just A Common Soldier He was getting old and paunchy and his hair was falling fast, And he sat around the Legion telling stories of his past. Of a war that he had fought in and the deeds that he had done, In his exploits with his buddies, they were heroes, every one. And though sometimes to his neighbours, his tales became a joke, All his Legion buddies listened, for they knew whereof he spoke. But we'll hear his tales no longer, for old Bill has passed away, And the world's a little poorer, for a soldier died today. He was just a common soldier and his ranks are growing thin, But his presence should remind us we may need his like again. For when countries are in conflict, then we find the soldier's part Is to clean up all the troubles that others often start. If we cannot give him honour, while he's here to hear the praise, Then at least let's give him homage, at the ending of his days.Perhaps a simple notice in a paper that would say, "Our country is in mourning, cause a soldier passed away." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ John Gordon MacLeod 1914-2008 Sydney Mines - It is with deep regret we announce the passing of a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, John Gordon MacLeod, on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2008. Gordon was a resident of 27 Windsor Ave., Sydney Mines, all his life, except the last 15 months, where he was a resident of the veterans' wing at Harbour View Hospital. Born in Sydney Mines, Gordon was the son of the late John D. and Susan (Bonnar) MacLeod. He was a member of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church and a former member of the men's fellowship. He was also a member of Seaview Golf & Country Club for many years. He and his good friend Howard Sexton loved to golf and fish together. Gordon was a veteran of the Second World War, having served in the RCAF, marine section. He was a member of The Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 008, Sydney Mines. Gordon was a machinist by trade and worked many years at the North Sydney Marine Railway. He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Winnifred (Roper) MacLeod; his two sons, Lloyd (Phyllis) MacLeod, George's River, and Jack (Anne) MacLeod, New Glasgow; four grandsons, Curtis, Justin and Jonathan MacLeod and Wayne Parsons; two granddaughters, Katherine MacLeod and Helen Sparling; and three great-granddaughters, Jaidyn, Miah, and Kenzie Rae. Gordon is also survived by sisters, Ruth Salter, Sydney Mines, Ethel Mercier, Montreal, and Lois, South Carolina; sister-in-law, Margaret Holton, Sydney Mines, and brother-in-law, Lloyd Grandy, Ontario. Besides his parents, Gordon was predeceased by a sister, Florence Grandy and two brothers, Ernest and Lloyd MacLeod. The family would like to extend a special "Thank You" to Dr. McKeough and the staff at the veterans' wing of Harbour View Hospital for their wonderful care. There will be no visitation. Cremation has taken place. A funeral service to celebrate the life of Gordon MacLeod will be held Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008, at 2 p.m. in St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Sydney Mines, with Rev. Bob Lyle officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations in Gordon's memory may be made to the CNIB, St. Andrews Church, or to a charity of one's choice. Online condolences may be sent to the family at jmjobesfuneralhome@ns.aliantzinc.ca. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Rita Helen (Farrell) Dean June 7, 1909-Dec. 18, 2008 - Passed away peacefully at the Harbourstone Enhanced Care, Kenwood Drive, Sydney River, N.S., on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2008, Rita Helen Dean in her 99th year. Born in Port aux Basques, N.L., June 7, 1909, she was the daughter of the late Arthur George and Sarah Ellen (Lomond) Farrell. Rita was predeceased by her husband, Edward Maxwell Dean (1979) of Sydney, and four brothers and a sister of Port aux Basques, N.L., Thomas (1993), Russell (1997), Albert (1997) and Bradley Farrell (2004) and sister, Melida Bragg (2004). Rita is survived by her youngest brother, John Farrell, 87; and by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, relatives and friends, who mourn her loss and by special friend, Ron Lother of Sydney, whose late mother was a very early and dear friend of Rita. In 1925, at the age of 16, Rita left Port aux Basques, N.L.., courageously gaining passage alone on the SS Kyle ferry to North Sydney, N.S., Canada, a separate country at that time. A harbour shuttle, Job Dobson's Little Mary, running a North Sydney-Westmount-Sydney route, took her to Sydney for 15 cents, where she became employed at the Canada Customs Office at 535 Charlotte St. She met and married Max Dean in 1934, whose father had emigrated from Fogo, N.L., in 1896 to Henry Street, Whitney Pier, her home for nearly 50 years. After his death, Rita preferred independence in apartments until finally becoming a notable and creative icon of Harbourstone in 2005. Rita has served as a well-known, longtime volunteer worker and organizer in Sydney, particularly for hospital funding campaigns, which raised several hundreds of thousands of dollars for building, maintenance and equipment and to which she contributed her own work in related craft sales. Rita's organizational skills also extended to travel and many excursions for Club 55 seniors down the U.S.A. eastern seaboard were planned, carried out and accompanied by her in the 1950s and 1960s. In her own words . . . "Lord keep me working, keep me fit. At windows I do not want to sit watching my friends, hurrying by. Let me stay busy 'til I die Grant me strength and breath and will some useful job in life to fill a need to serve, a task to do. Let me each morning rise anew eager and glad that I can bear my portion of the morning's care. Lord I do not want to sit aboutbroken and worn and all tired out afraid of rain and wind and cold.Let me stay busy when I am old.Although I walk at a slower pace,still let me meet life face to face. This is my prayer as time goes by:Lord keep me busy 'til I die." - Rita Dean, 1979 Visitation will take place from Sydney Memorial Chapel, Welton Street, Sydney, Saturday, Dec. 20, from 2-4 p.m. Funeral services are withheld upon Rita's expressed request. Private interment will take place at Forest Haven Memorial Gardens, Monday, Dec. 22 at 11 a.m. Condolences may be addressed to 375 Carleton Rd., Lawrencetown, B0S 1M0, or to sydneymemorialchapel@ns.sympatico.ca for inclusion in a Book of Remembrance and later recognition by mail and e-mail. "Requiescat in pace, Rita." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sharon Lorraine Yates 62, Tower Road - It is with great sadness that we, the family announce the passing of Sharon Lorraine Yates on Dec. 16, 2008, at the QE II Health Science Centre, Halifax. Born in Glace Bay and formerly of Big Glen, she was the daughter of the late John and Rosaline (Currie) Burgess. Sharon was a loving and caring mother, wife, grandmother and great-grandmother. She will be dearly missed by her family. "Mom you were the wind beneath our wings, our strength and guidance." Sharon is survived by her husband, Edward; daughters, Carinna (Lawrence), New Brunswick, Sharon, Glace Bay, Maxine (John), Ontario, and April, Glace Bay; sons, Danny, Glace Bay, and Wade (Toni), Ontario; sisters, Doreen Schaffner, Ontario, Ann Rosta, Helen Burgess and Marjorie, all of Glace Bay; brothers, Richard, Sydney, Roy, Ontario, and Danny and Jack, both of Glace Bay. Also surviving Sharon are 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Besides her parents, Sharon was predeceased by brothers, Stanley and George, sisters, Barbara, Hope and Dolly and by her stepfather, Michael Currie. There will be a private visitation for family only, with cremation to follow and burial at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to Patten Funeral Home, 71 Union St., Glace Bay, 849-7520. Donations may be made to a charity of one's choice. Online condolences may be sent to patten@seaside.ns.ca. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Bernice Marshall 50, Membertou - It is great sadness that we announce the death of our mother, nanny, daughter, sister, aunt, godmother and friend, who passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2008, at home. Bernice was a loved member of her community of Membertou. She took great pride in her position as a home-care worker, a job she held for 24 years. She had a great sense of humour, which led to many friendships with those she worked with as well as all community members in general. She leaves behind her two daughters, Marcella Marie and Miranda Anne, as well as the light of her life, her only granddaughter, Mackenzie Isabelle. Besides her children, she is survived by her mothers, Caroline Marshall and Isabel Paul, as well as her father, Francis Googoo; her 10 sisters, Roseanne (Joe) Sylvester, Josephine (Chris) LaPorte, Laura (Wade) Marshall, Donna (Donnie) Marshall, Virgina Marshall, Keah Googoo, all of Membertou, Bridget (Russell) Denny, Eskasoni, Shannon (Steve) Googoo, Kelly (Bobby) Gloade, both of Millbrook, and Paula Paul, Kingsclear; her 11 brothers, David (Terry Lynn) Marshall, Pius (Doreen) Marshall, Donald Jr. (Colleen) Marshall, Terry (Lee) Marshall, John Marshall, Simon (Adrianna) Marshall, Stephen Marshall, Robin (Noreen) Googoo, Darren (Lavina) Googoo, Glenn Googoo, all of Membertou, and Jason (Shauna) Googoo, Upper Tantallon; and by her partner of 21 years, Barry Moore Sr. She is also survived by her godfather, Clarence Gould and godmother, Marie Doucette; three godchildren, Lyle LaPorte, Rita Doucette and Rueben Tuplin, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her dad, Donald Marshall Sr., her sisters, Donna Doris Gould, Madelaine Marshall (in infancy), her brother-in-law, Steven Anthony Gould and sister-in-law, Martha 'Denise' Marshall. Visitation for the late Ms. Marshall will be held at the home of her mother Isabel, 11 L'nu Ave., Membertou, starting Saturday, Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. and will continue until the funeral which is being celebrated on Monday, Dec. 22 at 2 p.m. at St. Anthony Daniel Church with Rev. Donald MacGillivary officiating. Interment in Membertou Memorial Garden, Sydney. Online condolences may be sent to twcurryparkviewchapel@ns.sympatico.ca or www.mem.com. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Douglas Putt 74, South Bar - Douglas Bernard Putt, 74, of Barrington Street, South Bar, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2008, at the Halifax Infirmary. Born in Sydney, he was a son of the late Thomas and Catherine (MacDonald) Putt. Douglas was retired from Sydney Steel, where he worked in the railroad department. Surviving are his wife, Karen (Rudderham); daughter, Kelly (Kurk) Wilson, Ottawa, Ont.; son, Colin, Edmonton, Alta.; brothers, Gerald (Lori), Hamilton, Ont., and Ray (Carol), Arizona; seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Douglas was predeceased by his son, Parker, sister, Mary and brothers, Vincent, Morris, Tom, James and John. There will be no visitation or service. Interment will be held at a later date. Condolences may be sent to the family at sydneymemorialchapel@ns.sympatico.ca. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Joseph Eugene Vigneau Sr. March 19, 1933-Dec. 16, 2008 - It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved father, Joseph Eugene Vigneau Sr. on Dec. 16, 2008, at the age of 76. Born March 19, 1932, he succumbed to a lengthy illness in the loving care of his wife, Audrey. Joe is survived and will be greatly missed by his eight children, Joe Jr., Donald 'Duckie', Barbara, Shirley, Glenda, Charlie, Mark and Tina, along with 12 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. He had two close friends, Barney and Dee that he enjoyed spending time with while here in Sydney. Joe was predeceased by his first wife and the mother of his eight children, Lina Elizabeth 'Sis', who's presence is still greatly missed, his parents, one brother, two sisters and his granddaughter, Theresa. Cremation will take place in Dawson City, Yukon, and his ashes will be brought back to Cape Breton to be laid to rest with his father and mother. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Catherine 'Kay' Muise 76, New Waterford - Kay Muise, who passed away Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2008, is also survived by an aunt, Effie Campbell, New Waterford. There will be no visitation. Funeral mass will be held 2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008, in the Parish of St. Leonard/Mount Carmel Church with Fr. Paul MacNeil officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, New Waterford. ******************************************************************************* Cape Breton Deaths courtesy of CBGHA http://www.cbgha.org