Cape Breton Deaths December 20, 2008 Saturday Mabel (MacGregor) Hogan 98, Glace Bay - We are saddened to announce the death of our mother, Mabel Hogan, which occurred at the Glace Bay Hospital on Thursday, Dec.18, 2008, surrounded by her family. Mabel was born in 1910 in Donkin to the late John Hector and Annie (Phalen) MacGregor. Mabel is survived by her children, Peter, Ottawa, Jack (Stella), Glace Bay, Mary Shea (Dennis), Weymouth, Mass., Ginger Hogan-Murphy (Ed) Glace Bay, Pat Strickland, Coxheath, Pam MacGillivray, Fort McMurray, Jeannie Hogan, Halifax and Maggie Rogers, Toronto. She is also survived by her sister, Minnie, Toronto; 12 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She will also be sadly missed by her good friend and caregiver for the past seven years, Helen Jackson. She was predeceased by her husband, Joe in 2004; sister, Jean; brothers, Peter, Ira, Lionel, Vaughn and Fr. John Hector and son-in-law, Cotter MacGillivray. Mabel, known affectionately as "The Ma" by those who knew her best and loved her most, was well known for the profound impact she had on countless students who were fortunate to have been taught by her. A teacher for many years, Mabel exemplified the philosophy of life-long learning. After attending Normal College in Truro in 1928, Mabel started her teaching career in a one-room schoolhouse in Donkin. By the late 1980s, she returned to the classroom, this time as a student at UCCB, proudly graduating with her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1985. Her accomplishments were many, but her greatest was her role as matriarch of a loving family. Mabel found most satisfaction in her role of mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She loved her family unconditionally and her absence will be deeply felt. Although sad to say goodbye to Ma, we are happy that after a long, fruitful life, in her 99th year she may now find rest. Visitation will take place Sunday, Dec. 21, 2008 from 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 p.m. at Curry's Funeral Home 775 Main St., Glace Bay. Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Monday, Dec. 22, 2008 at 10 a.m. at St. Anne's Church with Fr. Leo Boone officiating. A reception will follow in the church. Burial will be at a later date. Family flowers only. Donations can be made to a charity of your choice. E-mail condolences may be sent to jmcurry@ns.sympatico.ca. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Gerald 'Hornet' MacMaster 42, Brampton/New Victoria - Gerald MacMaster, age 42 of Brampton, Ont. and a former resident of New Victoria passed away suddenly at home. Born in New Waterford, he was the son of Archie and Lillian (Kearney) MacMaster. Gerald was a 1987 graduate of Breton Education Center, New Waterford and in 1989 he received his bricklaying degree from Marconi Campus. He was employed with Indalex Aluminum Company for 15 years in Brampton. He was a member of St. Joseph's Church, New Victoria. Gerald will always be remembered for his bright beautiful smile and great sense of humour. He had a wonderful zest for life and was a awesome husband, father, son, brother and friend. The world lost a really funny guy, may he rest in peace. Besides his parents, Gerald is survived by his wife, Corry (Gillis) MacMaster; two daughters, Heather and Stephanie and two sons, Gregory and Zachary. Also surviving are three brothers, Robert (Michelle), New Waterford, Alexander 'Sandy' (Darla), Windsor, Ont., Kevin (Lynn), Sydney; one sister, Lorraine MacPherson; maternal grandmother, Muriel Kearney, Maple Hill Manor and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and friends. Gerald was predeceased by his paternal grandparents, Alexander and Veronica MacMaster; maternal grandfather, Archie Kearney as well as an uncle, Bernie MacMaster; an aunt, Ellen Kearney and a cousin, Darrell MacMaster. There will be no visitation, cremation will take place under the direction of the V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, New Waterford. The funeral mass will be celebrated at the Parish of St. Leonard, St. Joseph Church, New Victoria on Monday, Dec. 22 at 11 a.m. with Fr. Doug MacDonald officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery followed by a reception in St. Agnes Hall. Condolences to the family can be sent through the funeral home website www.vjmcgillivray.ca ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Elizabeth 'Bessie' (Bonnar) Olszowiec 90, Scotchtown/ New Victoria/Sydney - It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our mother, grandmother and great-grandmother Bessie Olszowiec on December 18, 2008 at Harbourstone Enhanced Care, Sydney, with family members at her side. Born in Sydney Mines, she was a daughter of the late Sarah and William Bonnar. Bessie was one of four sisters to choose the nursing profession receiving her RN degree in 1940 after which she worked on special cases prior to her marriage. While raising her six children, she became a superb cook and baker specializing in pies and baked the "best apple, lemon meringue and blueberry pies in the whole world" according to her husband Rudy. She was a long time and supportive member of both St. Michael's parish and St. Joseph's parish and was devout in her faith as a Roman Catholic. She and Rudy made many pilgrimages to Ste. Anne de Beaupre Shrine. She and Rudy were also avid card players particularly adept at duplicate bridge. A good, loyal friend and neighbor, Bessie quietly gave generously to those in need. Bessie is survived by her sons, Robert Blair (Judi Gerbrandt), Delta, B.C., Gerard, Sydney; daughters, Maria Quigley, Weston, Ont., Beverly (Michael) Cathcart, Sydney, Karen (Michael O'Driscoll), Brace Bridge, Ont.; daughter-in-law, Margaret Olszowiec, Nelson House, Man.; grandchildren, Michael and Aaron Olszowiec, Karen Gibson, Christopher, Scott and Lauralee Olszowiec, Stuart Quigley; great-grandchildren, Mallory, Connor, Christopher, Emma, Hannah, and Davey; sisters, Casilda Gillis, New Waterford, Theresa Jardine and Angela Taylor, Sydney Mines, Catherine MacGean, Ont., Patricia MacKenzie, Massachusetts, Camillus Roth, Florida and numerous nieces and nephews. Also left to mourn are the caring and loving staff of Fisherman's Cove, Harbourstone Enhanced Care, Sydney (all departments). Bessie was predeceased by her husband of 64 years, Rudy in April 2007; her son, David Brian in 1994, brothers Henry, Alphonsus, William, Edgar and Wilfred and sisters, Rachel Bonnar, Sarah Higgins, Magdalen MacNeil, Monica Buchanan, Eva Bonnar and Rita Laforet. Visitation for Bessie will be held Monday, Dec. 22, from 7-9 p.m. at V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 380 Smith St., New Waterford. A funeral mass to celebrate Bessie's life will take place Tuesday, Dec. 23 at 11 a.m in the Parish of St. Leonard, St. Michael's Church, River Ryan with Fr. Doug MacDonald officiating. Burial will be in the parish cemetery with a reception to follow at the Gaul Centre. Donations in her memory may be made to your local food bank or to a charity of ones' choice. Online condolences may be sent to the family at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Josephine Peters 77, Sydney - It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, Josephine 'Josie' Martina Peters (nee Gillis), 77 of Sydney on Friday, Dec. 19, 2008. Born in Grand Mira North, she was the daughter of the late John Joseph Alexander and Mary Margaret Gillis. She was a member of St. Joseph's Parish and a long standing CWL member. She devoted her entire life to loving and caring for her family, and anyone who needed her kindness and charity. As busy as her life was, she always put the needs of others ahead of her own. She is survived by daughters, Ann-Marie (John) MacDonald, Linda (Dates) Morris, Delores (Steve) Meagher, Alvina (Greg) Nix and sons Joe (Janet), John (Jessie) Tom and Harold; by 14 grandchildren and one great grandchild. She is also survived by one sister Ellen 'Florence' (Ivan) Bates. She was predeceased by her husband Joseph Alexander; sisters Isabel (Dan) McNeil, Annie Lucy Gillis, Mary (John) MacKinnon; a brother John 'Brickie' Gillis and one grandson, John Harvey Morris. Visitation for the late Mrs. Peters will take place on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2008 from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. at T.W.Curry Parkview Chapel. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Monday at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph's Church. Interment in Resurrection Cemetery, Sydney Forks. Donations may be made to the charity of your choice. On line condolences may be sent to twcurryparkviewchapel@ns.sympatico.ca or www.mem.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------ John Edward 'Jack' Bishop 81, North Sydney - It is with great sadness we the family announce the passing of John Edward 'Jack' Bishop, loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and uncle, on Friday, Dec.19, 2008 at the Northside General Hospital, surrounded by his loving family after a brief illness with cancer. Jack was born in English Harbour West, Nfld., on February 24, 1927, the son of the late James and Elizabeth (Boult) Bishop. He was employed at H.B.Nickerson and Sons and National Sea Products for 48 years until his retirement. He was a very active member of St. John the Baptist Anglican Church, North Sydney. Jack loved to take his daily walk with his dog Maggie, and looked forward to his Tuesday and Thursday meetings with his buddies. He enjoyed spending time working on his model boats. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him and the many lives he touched. Jack is survived by his loving wife of 58 years Janet (Skinner) Bishop formerly of St. Jacques, Nfld.; one daughter Janet Pearl Douglas, Calgary; three sons Albert (Clare) Bishop, North Sydney, Roy (Ronalda) Bishop, Sydney Mines, Randy (Tracey) Bishop, North Sydney; six grandchildren Scott, Allison, Christopher, Aaron, Suzie and Jaiden and 7 great-grandchildren; his four sisters Sadie Gould, Halifax, Pearl (Tom) Osborne, Block House N.S., Carrie (Launce) Harris, Jack Fontaine, Nfld., Lucy Fizzard, English Harbour West, Nfld.; his three brothers Jim Bishop, Calgary, Bill (Pauline) Bishop, Shelburne and Launce (Jane) Bishop, Beaverbank, N.S., and many nieces and nephews. Jack was predeceased by one brother Eric in infancy. Visitation for Jack will be held Sunday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. in the W. J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant St., North Sydney. Funeral service to be held 11 a.m. Monday at St. John the Baptist Anglican Church with Rev. Gloria McClure-Fraser officiating. Burial in Lakeside Cemetery, North Sydney. Memorial donations may be made to St. John the Baptist Anglican Church or the Canadian Cancer Society. On line condolences may be sent to info@wjdooley.com. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Duane Lee Martin 70, New Waterford - It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Duane Lee Martin on Friday, Dec. 19, 2008, at the New Waterford Consolidated Hospital, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Vermont, USA, he was the son of the late Kenneth and Ada (Lockerbee) Martin. In his early years, Duane served as a soldier in the American Army. Following this, he worked as a truck driver in Massachusetts for 42 years. When he retired he and his wife spent time vacationing in Florida and three years ago, they moved to Cape Breton. Duane loved Cape Breton, especially the ocean and the salt air breezes. He also enjoyed cooking, watching TV and watching the cruise ships coming and going. Duane is survived by his wife, Cathy; son, Brian (Heather) Chiasson, Mass.; daughters, Heather (Brian) Moody, Florida, Latrel King, Louisiana, Catherine Chiasson, Mass., Patsy (Robert) Hillier, New Waterford; sister, Lorna (Bob) Hazen, Florida; brothers, Reggie (Jerry) Martin, Florida, Jackie Martin, Mass. and Russell (Patty) Billings, Idaho, and grandchildren, Robie, Bret, Zachary and Mackenna. He is also survived by sister-in-law, Diane (Bryan) Oliver and brothers-in-law, Joe (Carol) White, Terrence (Mary) White, Wayne (Cecilia) White and Bernie (Brenda) White. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his first wife, Charlene, and brothers, Clarence and Kenny. There will be no visitation by his request. Cremation has taken place under the direction of McLellan Brothers Funeral Home, 3183 Plummer Ave., New Waterford, N.S., 862-7500. A private family burial will take place at a later date. To send online condolences to the family, go to www.mclellanfuneralhome.com ******************************************************************************* Cape Breton Deaths courtesy of CBGHA http://www.cbgha.org