Cape Breton Deaths courtesy of CAPE BRETON GENEALOGY & HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION VISIT OUR WEBSITE - <http://www.cbgen.org/ <http://www.cbgen.org/>>www.cbgen.org <http://www.cbgen.org/> NEW MEMBERS WELCOME Cape Breton Deaths February 09, 2017 Thursday There were 4 obituaries published today Raymond “Ray Ray” Bourgeois - 71 yrs Grace Dellorusso - Lionel Wilfred Jessome - 64 yrs Lilly Rae - Raymond Bourgeois Passed on: February 5th, 2017 With heavy hearts we announce the passing of Raymond ‘Ray Ray’ Bourgeois (71) on Sunday evening, February 5th at St. Martha’s Regional Hospital, Antigonish. Born in New Waterford, Ray was one of seventeen children of the late John C. and Mary Ann Bourgeois. A retired welder and member of UA Local 682, he worked at various jobs across the province and country to provide for his family until his retirement in 2003. We have been told he was one of the best. Ray will always be known for his vibrant personality, his tormenting, his great sense of humor and quick smile. He was a compassionate man with a huge heart, an animal lover and a ‘go to’ person when anyone needed a listening ear, or an earful. When he wasn’t chatting with everyone in the community at Sharon’s Place convenience store in Louisdale, Ray loved to spend time entertaining at the cottage with his family and many friends. Many referred to him as Bowser. He was always the cook, the joke teller and the gracious host. Affectionately known as Guppie or Grampie RayRay, he loved playing with his grandkids and showing his tender side (as well as teaching them how to curse and throw rocks). They were his pride and joy. Ray is survived by his loving partner of 27 years, Sharon Sampson; daughter, Taralee (Eric) Wood; sons, Eric and Kevin (Maggie); his children’s mother, Maureen; stepchildren, Brian, Joey and Duane Sampson; grandchildren, Rhylan, Cooper, Trevor, Abby, Becca, Liam, Ben, Serena, Samara, Skylar, Travis, Cody and Kristen and several great-grandchildren. He is also survived by brothers, Melvin (Westmount, NS), Leo, (Oshawa, ON) and Henry (Windsor, NS) and sisters, Evelyn Pollock (Peterborough, ON), Lorraine (Glace Bay, NS), twin sister, Pauline (John) Michalak (Florida) and Diane (Johnny) MacKinnon (New Victoria, NS). He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews and extended family. Ray is predeceased by his parents, John C. and Mary Ann Bourgeois; his brothers, Tom (1923), Peter, Willie John (Plugger), Charles, Tom (1944), Wilfred and sisters, Mary, Dorothy and Tillie. Ray is also predeceased by his stepson, Shane. On the day of his passing, Ray had just reached his 10-year anniversary of being cancer free and was a huge supporter of the Canadian Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. He looked forward to donning his yellow survivor shirt and participating in the event each year. Donations can be made in Ray’s memory to ‘Ray Ray’s Sugarbears’ Relay for Life team by following this online link (or donating in person): http://convio.cancer.ca/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFL_NS_odd_?px=3812980&pg=personal&fr_id=22389. We will be walking in his memory at this year’s event in Arichat, on June 10th. Memorial donations can also be made to the Canadian Heart & Stroke Foundation, or to another charity of your choice. The family wishes to extend thanks to Dr. Mark Sampson at Strait Richmond Hospital and Drs. Matthew Boyd and Tanya Sullivan at Saint Martha’s Hospital, and the EMT staff, for their meticulous care. A special thanks is extended to the wonderful nursing staff at both hospitals for making our Dad (and us) as comfortable as possible during his final days. At Ray’s wishes, there will be no visitation. Cremation has taken place under the arrangement of C.H. Boudreau Funeral Home in Arichat and a Celebration of Life service will be taking place for Ray on Saturday, February 11th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the St. Louis Parish Hall in Louisdale. We invite one and all to come help us share stories and help celebrate the life of a wonderful man. GRACE DELLORUSSO Passed on: February 6th, 2017 It is with the deepest and profound sadness that we announce the passing of our dear mother, Grace Dellorusso who passed away very peacefully surrounded by her family and close friends on February 6th, 2017. She was a gentle and kind soul with a strong inner strength that enabled her to surpass so many trials in her life including her lengthy illness with dementia which she fought bravely and with great dignity until the very end! As a young woman, mom always dreamed of pursuing a life of adventure in a new country so at the young age of 16 she bravely left her beloved country of Vasto, Italy and journeyed her way to Montreal, Canada to start her new life! There, she learned a new language, a new culture and embraced a new life! Shortly afterwards, the love of her life, Francesco Dellorusso, a fellow countryman entered her world and that was the beginning of a great romance for the next 49 years until our dad's passing. Together mom and dad forged a life of strong family ties and the value of hard work to succeed in life. We are so grateful for the wonderful values that our mom brought into our lives and to this we honor her... She has taught us the importance of staying close to another and to never lose touch, to honor & respect one another. To be forgiving and loving at all times, to remember where we came from...our heritage, our culture, our beautiful music. Also, she taught us the art of great Italian cuisine! We will miss her gentle presence & smile but we will forever cherish our fond memories of her. She leaves behind her children & grandchildren, Anna (Marco) Dellorusso, Emilia (Pat & Francesca Coppinger),Lorenzo (Shauna, Daniel ) Dellorusso, Gabriel Dellorusso & Laurie Marshall,Paul & Iman ( Sami, Nadia) Dellorusso. She also leaves behind her only living brother, William Del Borrello and his family, Montreal. We would love to thank so many people who gave us encouragement & support but especially our mom's caregivers for their amazing care, love & loyalty! Sincerely, Dellorusso Family. A celebration of life will be held 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 11, 2017 at the SW Chant & Son Funeral Home , 564 Alexandra St., Sydney with Rev. Sheldon Chant officiating. A light luncheon after the service with the burial to follow in Resurrection Cemetery, Sydney Forks Online condolences may be sent to our webpage at www.chantfuneral.ca. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of... Lionel W. Jessome Born In: North Sydney Born: October 4th, 1952 Passed in: North Sydney Passed on: February 7th, 2017 It is with heartfelt sadness we announce the passing of Lionel Wilfred Jessome, age 64, on Tuesday, February 7, 2017 at the Northside General Hospital, with his family by his side. Lionel was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. Born in North Sydney on October 4, 1952, Lionel was the son of the late Peter and Marguerite (Kavanagh) Jessome. Lionel was a school teacher and taught at various schools within the Cape Breton Victoria Regional School Board. Lionel began his teaching career at Baddeck Academy and later moved to Memorial High School. Lionel taught the sciences at this level and later worked as a circuit Elementary Guidance Counselor. Lionel was a gifted and skilled jack- of-all trades. He could fix anything from rebuilding damaged vehicles, fixing the electrical on the hot tub, to fixing boo-boos on a child’s finger. He is survived by his loving wife, Ann (Cooper); his four children, Amanda (Abe) Wiebe, Berwyn, AB, Troy (Jen) Jessome, Lloydminster, AB, Amy Publicover, Halifax, Donald Bottomley (Nenita), Calgary, AB. The light of his life were his five grandchildren, Eden, Maya, Eva, Cooper and new born, Odric. Lionel is survived by eight siblings with whom he had close relationships with throughout his adult life, John (Maureen) Jessome, Londonderry, NS, David (Paula) Jessome, Georges River, Elaine Dolinar (Don), Callander, ON, Ken (Frances) Jessome, North Sydney, Catherine (Graham) Webb, Barrie, ON, Donald (Becky) Jessome, Georges River, James Jessome (Mary), Bras d’Or and Dan (Bev) Jessome, Fall River. Also surviving are his many well-loved nieces and nephews, from the oldest to the youngest he was very proud of each and every one as they grew into wonderful adults. He also had many friends and colleagues throughout Nova Scotia from many walks of life. The family would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to the nursing staff of 5-east at the Northside General Hospital and to Dr. Doug Kohlsmith for the care and compassion shown to Lionel and the family during his illness. Visitation for Lionel will be from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. on Thursday February 9th, 2017, in the W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant Street, North Sydney. Funeral mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday at St. Joseph Church, Bras d’Or with Rev. Peter McLeod officiating. Reception will follow at the Bras d’Or Community Hall. Family flowers only. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or the SPCA of Cape Breton. Online condolences may be sent to www.wjdooley.com. LILLY RAE On January 27, 2017, Lilly Rae passed peacefully into the presence of her Lord, whom she loved and served. She is survived by: her husband William Rae; daughters: Anita (Bruce) McKee of Winnipeg & Caroline (Terry) Friesen of Sask; son Andrew (Nicky) Rae of London, England; her sister Doris in Ireland & ten grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents, two sisters, one brother, three brothers-in-law & grandson Nathan McKee. She was born and raised in Ireland on the family farm, the third of five children who were especially dear to her. She considered her mother her best friend. After training and working as an RN in Belfast, Lilly eventually became Head Nurse in the dermatology dept. She married Bill in 1958, and they eventually moved to Scotland. In 1964, they, along with their two girls, immigrated to NB before moving to NS and then to Cape Breton in 1982. She nursed in several hospitals, usually working ‘casual’ so she could be home to raise her family. She was a very devoted mother and a very faithful support to her husband in the pastorate. Lilly will be remembered for loving her Saviour & her family, for her gentle & kind ways, and for her great sense of humour. She had a wealth of Scripture, poems & songs, stored in her memory. Lilly had a heart for the elderly & shut-ins, usually visiting them each Sunday. All who knew her loved her. She was an avid reader and displayed her creative talents through hand crafts and in making and providing a hand stitched quilt for each child & grandchild. As Lilly’s health declined, she & her husband moved to MB in 2015, in order to be near family. With the help of Home Care Aides and family, she remained at home until her passing. The funeral will be on Saturday Feb 11 in Winnipeg. On-line condolence can be made at, www.birchwoodfuneralchapel.com.