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 January 19, 2017 Wednesday There were 6 obituaries published today Fr. Robert MacNeil - 69 yrs Yolande Frances Nearing - 88 yrs Christine Margaret “Chris” Lynk - 92 yrs Vicki Dawn Cann - 42 yrs Anita (Madore) Fuller - Stephen Johnston - 51 yrs Fr. Robert McNeil Reserve Mines/Halifax/Eskasoni On Monday, January 16, 2017, Father Robert McNeil, age 69, our beloved brother and friend passed peacefully into eternal life at his residence in Halifax surrounded by the love of family and his dearest friend, Father Phil Callaghan. Born in Glace Bay and raised in Reserve Mines, Robert was the son of the late Pius and Mary (Watson) McNeil. Father Robert served as parish priest throughout the Diocese of Antigonish. Father Robert was named by the diocese of Antigonish as Episcopal Vicar of the Mi’kmaq people. He served this First Nation of the Maritimes in the parishes of Eskasoni, Wagmatcook and Waycabaah. He will be sadly missed by his sisters and brothers, Erma Campbell, Gilbert (Ruth) Mc Neil, Florence (Tony) Vautour, Angie Fowler, Raymond McNeil, Jane Mac Neil and brother-inlaw, Pat Cameron. He will also be missed by his nieces and nephews, Mark, Ted, Lisa, Chris, Michael, Michelle, Patrice, Andrea, Janine, Deanne, Marissa, Alecia and Jocelyne, Rod, Robert and his many grandnieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister, Obie Cameron; his nephews, Shawn McNeil and Richard Campbell; sister-in-law, Madeline McNeil and brothersin-law, Don Fowler and Mike Campbell. Cremation has taken place under the direction of V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, Glace Bay. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Holy Family Parish Church, Eskasoni on Saturday January 21, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow in the springtime on Chapel Island. Memorial donations may be made to Holy Family Parish, Eskasoni or a charity of your choice. Online condolences for Fr. Robert can be expressed at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca. Yolande Nearing Passed on: January 15th, 2017 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Yolande Frances Nearing, 88, of Sydney, who passed away peacefully at home on January 15, 2017. Yolande was the daughter of the late Corentin and Madeleine (Puyol) Guyomard of Sydney. She was proud member of St Theresa’s CWL, where she dedicated many of hours and her attributes for over 40 years. Yolande lived an amazing life where her main focus was her beautiful family. She lived life to the fullness making the most of each day with what she had. Her gifts of talent contain many facets to her personality which she enriched everything with just a simple touch of her hand. Her creativity in designing clothes, painting, to just making a delicious meal, inspired us all to see the beauty in all things big or small. The older she became the more her majestic beauty excelled. If we were asked to sum up Yolande's life we would compare her life to a clock where she became the center of our most precious moments. Her life wound down with each second in the minute which turned into days which lead to a good old ripe age. Yolande instilled a strong set of values into each and every one; becoming an inspiration to all who had the privilege to be in her company. She took pleasure in watching television, especially Price Is Right, the Wheel and figure skating. Other things that she enjoyed were skating, going camping, swimming and being outdoors. She recently celebrated 65 years of marriage with the love of her life, Johnny. With Johnny she enjoyed bowling, playing darts, shuffleboard and dancing at club 55 and at the pensioners club. She loved to travel and was lucky enough to have travelled to different parts of the world. Being surrounded by family and friends was her biggest joy. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren meant a lot to her. Yolande is survived by her children, Robert, Claude (Cathy), Steve (Shauna), Brenda (Scott) King and Madelyn; grandchildren, Charles (Ayumi) Nearing, Allison (Andrew) Davis, Samantha King, Ryan and Adam Nearing; great grandchildren, Olivia and Maggie Davies, Noa and Hiro Nearing and numerous nieces and nephews and her sister, Claudette (Wilfred) MacNeil. She was predeceased by loving husband, John; darling daughter, Judy; her siblings, Charles, Madeleine, Rita and Theresa. Visitation will be held from 2-4 and 6-8 on Friday, January 20, 2017 at TW Curry Parkview Chapel. Funeral mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 21, 2017 at St Theresa’s Church with Rev. Dennis Lamey officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations in Yolande’s memory may be made to MADD Canada. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.twcurry.com. Chris Lynk Passed on: January 19th, 2017 Christine Margaret Lynk ‘Chris’, 92, former long-time resident of Birch Street, Glace Bay and for the past year a resident of Taigh na Mara, died Tuesday, January 17, 2017. Born in Broughton, she was a daughter of the late Malcolm John and Margaret (MacDonald) MacDonald. Chris served with the Royal Canadian Air Force in Ottawa from 1943 to 1946. Upon discharge she returned to Glace Bay and in 1947 married her childhood sweetheart, Arthur Lynk. Chris was very active in her church and community. As a young couple she and Art assisted Deaconess Mabel Newsom by providing leadership for youth programs at New Campbellton Church Camp. She was a founding member of Newsom United Church, Glace Bay, a life member of Newsom United Church Women (UCW), provided leadership for the Messenger and Explorer groups, a member of the church choir, served for several years on the Christian Education Committee, and, with other women of the church was a ‘Marrigan Maker’ for over 40 years. Chris was a member of the Glace Bay World Day of Prayer Committee, Past Noble Grand and former secretary of Jubilee Rebekah Lodge and a past member of the Executive of John Bernard Croak VC Branch 3 of the Royal Canadian Legion. Over the years she devoted countless hours to Meals on Wheels and to canvassing for a variety of charities. Chris is survived by her husband of almost 70 years, Art; three children, Linda (Gary Warner) of Trout Brook Road, Rev. Eric (Rev. Margaret Collins), Prince Edward Island and Arleen (David Pink), of Albert Bridge; six grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and two great great-grandchildren; two sisters, Florence (Bill Barrett), Glace Bay and Joyce (Bernard James), Halifax. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by sisters, Willena Pyke and Mary Kerr and her brother, Ronald MacDonald. Visitation will be at V. J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 16 Reserve Street, Glace Bay, on Friday, January 20 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. with a Rebekah Memorial Service on Friday at 1:30 p.m. Funeral service will be Saturday at 2 p.m. at Newsom United Church, Dominion Street, Rev. Carol Gillard and Rev. Laurie MacCuish officiating. A reception will be held at St. Paul's Presbyterian Church, Brookside Street, immediately following the service. Chris will be taken to Newsom United Church at noontime on Saturday. Veterans/Legion members will form an honour guard for their comrade on Saturday at the Church. Burial at Forest Haven Memorial Gardens at a later date. For those desiring to do so, the family suggests memorials to Newsom United Church or St Paul's Presbyterian Church. Online condolences to the family can be expressed at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca. Vicki Cann Born In: Singapore Born: May 13th, 1974 Passed in: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Passed on: January 13th, 2017 With broken hearts, deep sorrow and wonderful memories, the family of Vicki Dawn Cann announce her sudden and unexpected passing on January 13th. Born in Singapore, Vicki was the daughter of Donald and Margaret Anne Cann, Blacketts Lake. She will be sadly missed by her parents; her loving husband, Brian Redford; her children, Benjamin and Maggy; her sisters, Velma Vos (Jeroen), Hunter River, PEI, and Virginia Gingras (Ray), Horseshoe Valley, Ontario and brother, Jonathan (Crissy Petrella), Halifax. She is also survived by her in-laws, Dale and Nancy Redford, Grand Forks, BC; her brother-in-law, Jim (Melissa) Redford, Edmonton, Alberta and sister-in-law, Carolyn Rogers (Garret), Vancouver, BC. Vicki leaves many loving aunts, uncles, cousins and friends who will miss her bigtime. ‘Aunt’ Vicki was particularly special to her ten nieces and nephews, Madison, MacKayla, Keera, Kody and Kaleb Vos, Ray-Ray and Julien Gingras, Kayla Cann, Jack Redford and Toby Rogers. Vicki was predeceased by her paternal grandparents, Trafton and Phyllis (Bent) Cann; her maternal grandparents, John P. and Eileen (Porter) MacNeil; her Auntie Velma Haddad (Roger) and her Uncle Robert B. MacNeil. Most know Vicki for her infectious personality and love for the outdoors. She impacted so many people’s lives through her nursing, her love for children and her unique ability to make everyone feel special. Knowing Vicki, she is smiling and cheering us on as we all grieve together. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 21st at Tubman Funeral Home, Garden Chapel, Ottawa at 10:30 a.m. The Cape Breton Celebration of Life takes place on Sunday, January 29th 1 p.m.-3 p.m. at Flavor 19 Restaurant, 1225 Grand Lake Road, Sydney. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Vicki Cann’s Child Education Fund for her two young children. The link is as follows https://www.gofundme.com/vickis-childrens-educational-fund. Anita (Madore) Fuller Passed on: January 13th, 2017 It is with great sadness that I have to announce the passing of my loving wife and mother Anita on Friday, January 13, 2017, peacefully in her sleep in Sousa, Dominican Republic. Anita is survived by her husband, Robert (Sydney, DR); son, Julian (Dartmouth); brother, Paul (Howie Centre); stepchildren, Shannon, Shelley and Stephen (Sydney); brother and sister-in-laws, Tony and Shirley and David and Diane (Annapolis Valley); stepmother, Jean (Howie Centre). Along with aunts, uncles and cousins to mourn her passing. Funeral arrangements have been made according to her wishes. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to a charity of one’s choice. Stephen Johnston Born In: Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada Born: April 24th, 1965 Passed in: Listowel, Ontario, Canada Passed on: December 30th, 2016 Stephen Johnston, son of the late William and Florence (Carmichael) Johnston, passed away on December 30 due to a heart attack at the age of 51. Stephen was born and raised in Sydney and was living in Listowel ON at the time of his death with his loving wife, Sharon Van Kampen and was a proud and devoted father to Anthonie, Kenneth, Gerrit and Shaun. Stephen was survived by his sister Lori (Jim) Flear of Barrie, ON and William “Woody” (Sheri) Johnston, Sydney and his many nephews and niece as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins who will miss him dearly. Stephen was predeceased by his grandparents, Archie and Margaret Carmichael and Rod and Elizabeth Johnston. Stephen worked as a millwright but recently earned his Red Seal as an Industrial Electrician; he loved woodworking and will forever be known for his love of family and being a great storyteller. Services were held in Listowel.