Cape Breton Deaths courtesy of CAPE BRETON GENEALOGY & HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION VISIT OUR WEBSITE - <http://www.cbgen.org/>www.cbgen.org NEW MEMBERS WELCOME Cape Breton Deaths April 17, 2014 Thursday There were 4 obituaries published today Keith Gordon Gillis - 65 yrs Grace Marion Saunders - 91 yrs Mary Jane Marshall - 76 yrs John Henry Alexander “Alec” Savoie - 76 yrs Keith Gillis Born In: North Sydney Passed in: North Sydney Passed on: April 13th, 2014 It is with deep sadness we announce the sudden passing of our father Keith Gordon Gillis, age 65, on Sunday, April 13, 2014 at his home. Born in North Sydney, Keith was the son of the late Alexander Gordon and Dorcas (Dearing) Gillis. Keith was a pipefitter by trade. He had a passion for cars, mechanics as well as a talent for drawing. Keith is survived by his sons, Shane Gillis, North Sydney, Keith (Stephanie) Gillis, Alberta and his daughter Michelle Gillis, North Sydney; his sister Wanda (Brian McGean), North Sydney. Keith is also survived by six grandchildren, fourteen nieces, three nephews, by his longtime friend John (Jack) Penny, sisters-in-law Mary Gillis, Roseanne Gillis and a special aunt Ruth Dearing. Keith is predeceased by his twin brother Kenneth in infancy; brothers Bramwell and Howard Gillis; nephews Davey Canavan and Lloyd Canavan and lifelong friend Gordon Penny. There will no visitation by request. A burial will take place in Lakeside Cemetery, North Sydney at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant St., North Sydney. Memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia or a charity of choice. Online condolences may be sent to www.wjdooley.com. Grace Saunders Born In: Sydney Passed in: Sydney Passed on: April 16th, 2014 Grace Marion Saunders, 91, of Grand Lake Road, Sydney, passed away Wednesday April 16, 2014 at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, with her loving family by her side. Born in Sydney, she was the daughter of the late George and Mae (Beach) Wambolt. Grace was a member of the United Baptist Church, Sydney. She worked at Eastern Bakery, Smiths Bakery, General Instruments, and her most important job was looking after the family home. She is survived by her daughters Georgina Moore and Kay MacLean, both of Sydney; sons Frank (Mable), Rochester, NY, Edward, Edmonton, and James (Brenda), Sydney Mines; sisters Janet Doran, Sydney, Tiny (Ernie) Campbell, Oromocto, Marilyn Ryan, New Waterford, Thelma Nicholson, Sydney; a brother Gordon (Monica), Sydney; 10 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Grace was predeceased by her husband George Earl; sisters Ada MacArthur and Erna Nicholson; brothers Frank, Ace, George, Pawley, Earl, Mel and Ernie. Visitation will take place Saturday April 19, 2014 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at Sydney Memorial Chapel. Funeral service will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. in the Chapel, with Rev. Boyce Elliot officiating. Interment in Hardwood Hill Cemetery at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to Palliative Care. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.sydneymemorialchapel.ca or emailed to [email protected] Mary Jane Marshall Born In: Eskasoni Passed in: Eskasoni Passed on: April 14th, 2014 Mary Jane Marshall, 76 of 44 74th Street, Eskasoni passed away peacefully on Monday, April 14, 2014 at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney. Born in Eskasoni she was the daughter of the late Stephen and Helena (Herney) Marshall. She was a member of Holy Family parish, Eskasoni and was very involved in the annual St. Anne De Beaurpre Pilgrimage. Mary Jane could be found either in the kitchen baking or with her friends playing “Double Up”. She is survived by daughters, Marie 'Jai', Eskasoni, Annie Catherine, Sydney, Darlene, Eskasoni, Angel Theresa (Joey Fortune), Bras d'Or, Rose Sack, Eskasoni; daughter-in-law Laura Marshall; sons, Steve, Shane, Noel 'Ginger', Joseph, Patrick and Albert, all of Eskasoni; brothers, Mike, Leo (Judy) and Lawrence, all of Eskasoni; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren; also survived by her best friends Flo Young and Josie Francis. Mary Jane was predeceased by her husband, Abraham; a son, Alfred 'Auchie'; a daughter, Marion; a sister, Nora; and brothers Wilfred, Leonard, Roddie, John and Bernie; a daughter in law, Mary Theresa. Visitation for the late Mrs. Marshall will begin after 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 19 in the Gabriel Centre, Eskasoni. Funeral mass will be celebrated on Monday, April 21 at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Family Church, Rev Martin MacDougall will officiate. Interment in parish cemetery. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.twcurry.com. John Henry 'Alec' Savoie Born: May 26th, 1937 Passed in: Sydney Passed on: April 13th, 2014 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Alec Savoie on Sunday, April 13, 2014 at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital in Sydney. Born May 26, 1937 to the late Omer and Mary Margaret 'Peggy' (Sampson) Savoie. Alec lived next to the canal for 40 years and came to know every boat that traveled through on a daily basis. He gave his nieces and nephews nicknames which he came up with his late brother-in-law, Douglas. His passion for planting flowers, vegetables and his never ending rhubarb that he shared with everyone was an example of his unselfishness. Alec's true skill, which he learned from Peggy, was knitting. The thousands of pairs of socks and mitts he made from purchased and donated yarn which he gave as presents are a testament to this attention to detail and caring for others. Alec eventually came to live at the Richmond Villa Nursing Home where the greater community became aware of such a kind and gracious man who continued to knit, talk, remember birthdays, play crib with anyone willing, complete his puzzle books and just enjoyed life. He had so many sayings that are still repeated by his family even today, such as "How many hundreds of thousands of people would tell you" and "Seven-Up to wake you up." Alec was a dearly loved brother, son, uncle and great uncle. He touched so many lives with his generosity and ability to remember everyone's name, birthday and historic family events. Alec is survived by his brother, Raymond (Annie May), Ontario and sisters, Georgina (Johnnie), Claire (Leo), Josephine (Wayne), all of St. Peters, Wilma (Albert), Rockdale, Valerie, Port Hawkesbury and Caren (Billy), Ontario; also sister-in-law, Jessie as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Billy and brothers-in-law, Douglas Mombourquette and Michael George. Visitation will take place on Sunday, April 20, 2014 in the River Bourgeois Community Funeral Parlor, River Bourgeois from 2 - 9 p.m. Mass of Christian Farewell will be held Monday morning, April 21, 2014 at St. Peter's Catholic Church, St. Peter's at 11 a.m., with Rev. Dennis Lamey officiating. Burial will be held in St. Peters Parish Catholic Cemetery at a later date. Memorial donations can be made to the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the C.H. Boudreau Funeral Home, Arichat. To send words of comfort to the family or to light a candle in memory of Alec, please visit www.chboudreau.com.