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 March 26, 2014 Wednesday There were 11 obituaries published today Bernard Grant “Bernie” Walsh - 55 yrs Muriel ‘Pete” MacDonald - 98 yrs Deloris Donovan - 70 yrs Jennie Melski - 98 yrs Thomas “Bruce” Atkinson - 46 yrs Michael “Kevin” Murrant - 59 yrs Colin ‘Francis” McDonald - John Hawley Baxter - 63 yrs Judith Ann “Judy” (Mackie) O’Daye - 70 yrs Robert Stewart “Bobby” “Bob” MacKinnon - 76 yrs Michael Almond - 79 yrs Bernard Grant 'Bernie' Walsh Born In: New Waterford Passed in: River Ryan It is with sadness that we, the family, announce the passing of Bernard Grant 'Bernie' Walsh, 55, of River Ryan. Born in New Waterford, he was a son of the late Ben and Jean (Downey) Walsh. Bernie was employed at Sobeys and later with Devco in Lingan Mine. He enjoyed gardening and being around animals, namely his pony, 'Buddy'. Bernie also loved to visit Tim Hortons and Needs on Emerald Street. Surviving are brothers, David (Yvonne) Walsh, New Waterford, Kenny Walsh, Ontario; sisters, Mary (George) Cecchetto, Sylvia Jeffrey, both of New Waterford, and Stephanie Walsh, Scotchtown; many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, Bernie was predeceased by brothers, Wilfred 'Trudeau', Michael 'Cadillac Ben', and sister, Catherine in infancy. Visitation will be held Friday, March 28, from 12-1p.m. with a funeral service to follow at 1 p.m. in V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home Chapel, 380 Smith St., New Waterford. Burial will be in Forest Haven Memorial Gardens, Sydney, Nova Scotia. Donations in his memory may be made to a charity of one's choice. Online expressions of sympathy may be senty top the family at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca. Muriel MacDonald Born In: Sydney Born: April 21st, 1915 Passed in: Sydney Passed on: March 20th, 2014 Muriel 'Pete' MacDonald, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 20, 2014, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney, holding the hand of her much loved granddaughter, Lindsey. Muriel was born in Sydney on April 21, 1915, the daughter of the late Samuel and Sarah (Townsend) Peters of Union Street. She leaves behind her five children, Fred, Long River, P.E.I., Heather (Brian) Bellmore, Toronto, Ont.; Judy (Joe) Grant, Charlottetown, P.E.I., Charlotte (George) Lucas, White Rock, B.C., and Beverley (Gary) Muir, Groves Point, C.B.; also her grandchildren, the MacDonalds, Doug (Stacey), P.E.I. and Sarah Jane, Dartmouth; the Bellmores, Maureen (Tim), Patrick (Jessica), Erin (Jesse) and David, Toronto, the Grants, Susan, Alberta and Kate, Toronto, the Lucas girls, Robyn (Jason), Carolyn and Karen, B.C., and the Muirs, Sandy (Sara Beth) and Lindsey (Dalton), Sydney. She dearly loved each and every one of her growing list of great-grandchildren, Reese, Colby, Talayah; Meghan Muriel, Sophie, Julia; Clarke, Charlie, Thomas, Ryan, Jack; Lucca, Aiden, Griffin; and Jacob. All adored her and miss her terribly. Muriel is also survived by her sister-in-law, Val MacDonald (late Donald) of Lorne Street, Sydney, also a long list of nieces and nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Douglas 'Doug' MacDonald, her brothers, Dudley Peters, Sydney, and Fred (Mary Rose) Peters, Georgetown, Ont., also her sister, Henrietta 'Pete' (Lyle) Skinner of North Sydney. As a child, she spent many summer vacations in her beloved Louisbourg with her grandparents, the Peters and Townsends, and with her Peters, Townsend, Martel, Dillon and Dixon cousins in Louisbourg and Main-a-Dieu. Mom was involved in school sports, and later enjoyed playing golf, tennis and bridge. She was a past member of the Kinette Club of North Sydney. She and Dad raised their family on View Street in North Sydney where neighbours were like extended family and lifelong friendships developed. Summers were spent in Ingonish, from where we all have many happy memories. In later years she lived in Williston House and most recently at The Cove Guest Home. Much appreciation goes out to the staff of the Cove, for their exemplary care. Very special thanks to Marion Worthington who remained her devoted companion and friend to the end. Local family and friends held a celebration of Mom’s life on Sunday in Groves Point. All of her children and grandchildren will come to Cape Breton to attend a funeral and graveside service in August. Arrangements are entrusted to W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant St., North Sydney. Online condolences may be sent to www.wjdooley.com Deloris Donovan Born In: Sydney Mines Born: September 4th, 1943 Passed in: Sydney Mines Passed on: March 25th, 2014 It is with heavy hearts we announce the death of our dear mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, Deloris. Deloris passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 25, 2014, at the Northside Community Guest Home. Born in Sydney Mines on Sept. 4,1943, Deloris was the daughter of the late Thomas and Beatrice (Bradley) Howell. She loved hot weather, cooking for crowds and was an avid bingo player, but her number one love was her family and friends. Deloris is survived by her children, Diane (Steve) Wyatt, St. Catharines, Ont., Jane (Eddie) Orrell, North Sydney, Michael (Vicky) Donovan, Blackett’s Lake, and Tanya (Wade) Huelin, Grimsby, Ont. Also by their father, Michael Donovan Sr, Halifax; grandchildren, Mitch, Bhreagh, Bryden, Charles, Matthew, Alicia, Jennifer, Josh, Kendra, Jesse, Justin, Julia, and three great-grandchildren, Madeline, Brooklyn and Todd. Surviving also are her brothers, William, Winnipeg, Gordon (Eleanor), Florence, and Kenneth, Sydney, and sisters, Marjorie MacDonald, Lillian McEachern, both of North Sydney, and many, many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her son, Todd, her brothers, Nicholas, Archie and James and her sister, Linda. Visitation for Deloris will be held 2-4 and 7-9 p.m., Thursday, March 27 in the J.M. Jobes Funeral Home Ltd., Sydney Mines. A celebration of her life will take place on Friday, at 10.a.m. in Holy Family Church, Sydney Mines. with Fr.Thomas John officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Northside Community Guest Home. Online condolences may be sent to www.jmjobesfuneralhome.com. Little did we know that morning God was going to call your name. In life we loved you dearly, in death we do the same. It broke our hearts to lose you, but you did not go alone. For part of us went with you, the day God called you home. You left us peaceful memories, your love is still our guide. And though we cannot see you, you are always by our side. Our family chain is broken and nothing seems the same. But as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again. Jennie Melski Born In: Sydney Born: December 23rd, 1915 Passed in: Whitney Pier Passed on: March 22nd, 2014 It is with heavy hearts that the Melski family announces the passing of their mother, Jennie Melski. Jennie passed away on Saturday, March 22, 2014, at Harbourstone Enhanced Care, Sydney, at the age of 98. Born in Sydney on Dec. 23, 1915, she was the daughter of the late Michael and Anna (Niedzielski) Kiec. Jennie became church organist at St. Mary’s Polish Church at an early age and continued to serve the parish, except for a period when she had to interrupt her duties to raise nine children, until she could no longer climb the stairs to the choir loft. She actually attempted retirement twice, but the retirement lasted a short time, as she obligingly returned at the request of the parish priests. She loved music and liked nothing better than to have her family and their friends around the piano for a good singing session, especially at Christmas time, when Polish carols interspersed with carols sung in English, were enjoyed. During the summer, she spent pleasant times enjoying the country air at her son Joe’s cottage at Northside East Bay. Three highlights in her life were the two trips to Poland to visit relatives and greeting the Polish Pope in Halifax. Mom was a kind and loving mother who instilled in her children an appreciation for their Catholic faith. She followed the dictum of the popular, Bishop Fulton J. Sheen that ‘the family that prays together, stays together’, by calling the children together to recite the rosary. As a young lady, Jennie was recruited by her parish priest to teach the Polish language to the young children of the parish. She was proud of her Polish heritage and passed this pride on to her children. She modestly acknowledged that she was chosen by the parishioners as the queen of St. Mary’s parish and wearing her royal regalia, she rode on the parish float during Sydney’s 150th anniversary celebrations. She served her parish with selfless devotion, for which she received the admiration of the parish priests throughout the years. Her knowledge of the music, both Polish and English, required for church observances, was unequaled. Jennie is survived by her sons, Anthony Jr., Michael, Terrence and Robert; daughters, Leona and Ann; 18 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren; brother, Ted; sisters, Louise (Ted) Baker, Bernice Ratushny, Valerie Deturbide and many nieces and nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her husband, Anthony, sons, Donald, Ronald, Joseph, sister, Mary Baryluk, brother, Alex, brothers-in-law, Edmund, Eugene and Peter, a brother, Stanley and a sister Cecilia, who died when very young. Visitation for Mrs. Melski will take place Thursday, March 27 at T.W. Curry Parkview Chapel from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 28 at St. Mary’s Polish Church with Fr. Paul Murphy officiating. Burial at Forest Haven Memorial Gardens. Memorial donations may be made to St. Mary’s Polish Church Building Fund. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.twcurry.com. Thomas 'Bruce' Atkinson Born In: Sydney Born: March 21st, 1968 Passed in: Sydney Passed on: March 24th, 2014 It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Thomas Bruce Atkinson on Monday, March 24, 2014, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Sydney on March 21, 1968, Bruce was the son of Vivian (Osborne) and the late Raymond ‘Jumbo’ Atkinson. Bruce was a longtime residence of Breton Abilities Center, formerly the Braemore Home. He was fascinated by trucks of every kind and loved going on drives. Bruce will be remembered by his family and friends for being very energetic and curious. Bruce leaves behind his mother, Vivian; sisters, Lynn Sparkes and Brenda (John) MacTaggart; brothers, John (Mary Ann), Raymond and Martin (Wendy); as well as several nieces and nephews. There will be no visitation for the late Thomas Bruce Atkinson. A private family interment will take place at a later date. Donations in memory of Bruce may be made to Breton Abilities Center or Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation. We would like to thank the doctors, nurses and support staff of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital for the care given to Bruce during his time of need. Funeral arrangements are under the care and direction of Pier Community Funeral Home. Online condolences may be forward to the family at www.pierfuneralhome.com. Michael 'Kevin' Murrant Born In: Glace Bay Passed in: Glace Bay Passed on: March 26th, 2014 Kevin Murrant, 59, of Siesta Court, Glace Bay, and a former resident of Turner Street, passed away on Monday, March 24, 2014, at his residence. Born in Glace Bay, he was the son of the late Michael ‘Mick’ and Hattie (Bond) Murrant. Kevin started working at Devco when he was 18 years old and retired in 2005 as the chief of security. He was a Second World War buff and had a keen interest in politics, fire engines and trains. Kevin loved German shepherds and raised many. He volunteered his time doing security work at the Canadian Little League Championship in Glace Bay. Kevin’s personality was described as a straight-shooter; you knew where you stood with him after a short encounter. He faced death as he faced life, straight on, often saying, ‘Don’t be overwhelmed by my death but move on with your life’. Kevin loved his family and friends and was always there for them if they needed advice, right up until his death. Kevin is survived by his loving wife, Lynda (Warner) Murrant; one daughter, Lynda (Wayne) Webber, Whitehorse; one son, Paul (Evelyn) Hogan, Glace Bay; three grandchildren, Austin Hogan, Ashley Webber, Jillian Webber; aunts, uncles, several cousins and a longtime family friend of the Murrant family, Minnie MacDonald. Cremation has taken place. A gathering of family and friends will be held at the V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, Glace Bay, at a later date followed by interment in Greenwood Cemetery. As an expression of sympathy for Kevin, memorial donations in his memory may be made to the Salvation Army or Palliative Care. Online condolences can be expressed at www.vjmcgillivray.ca. Colin 'Francis' McDonald Funeral Mass for the late Colin Francis McDonald will be held Thursday, March 27, 2014, at Holy Cross Church, Glace Bay, with Rev. Norman MacPhee officiating. John Baxter Born In: Glace Bay Born: June 15th, 1949 Passed in: Digby, Nova Scotia, Canada Passed on: March 20th, 2014 On March 20, 2014, John passed away in Digby General Hospital, with his wife and best friend, Linda (Hicks) Baxter at his side. Born June 15, 1949 in Glace Bay, he was a son of the late Robert and Mary (Hawley) Baxter. He worked for about 36 years with Canadian Tire, Quinpool Road, Halifax, before retiring to Digby. He was a kind and gentle man who always had time to stop and talk or listen to family and friends. He loved dogs and he and Linda always had one in their home. He is survived by his brothers, Robert (Louise), Edward (Ruth) of Glace Bay and Henry (Joanne) of Ontario. Donations in memory of John can be made to New Roof for the Rectory, Trinity Anglican Church, P.O. Box 1433, Digby, B0V 1A0 or charity of your choice. Cremation has taken place and a celebration of John's life will take place in early summer. Judith Ann 'Judy' (Mackie) O'Daye Born In: Gardiner Mines Passed on: March 18th, 2014 It is with sadness we announce the passing of Judy O'Daye, 70, of New Waterford on Tuesday March 18, 2014. Born in Gardiner Mines, she was a daughter of the late Angus and Jane (Andrews) Mackie. Surviving are her husband, James O'Daye; twin brother, Jimmy (Mary), Gardiner Mines; sisters, Linda (Vince) Brunette, Gardiner Mines, Rodena MacNeil, New Waterford, Lois Mackie, River Ryan. Besides her parents, Judy was predeceased by sisters, Sandra and Eileen; brothers, Kenny, Irvin, Charlie and Leo. There will be no visitation. Cremation has taken place under the care and direction of V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 380 Smith St., New Waterford. A graveside service will be held in St. James Cemetery, Gardiner Mines, at a later date. Donations in her memory may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association or the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca. Robert MacKinnon Born: June 20th, 1937 Passed on: March 15th, 2014 Bobby, Bob, Dad, Poppy: Partner, love & best friend of 47 years to wife Ann (nee Gormley) - for who morning tea & afternoon beer will never be the same. He very proudly served 38 years in the Canadian Army Artillery & REME branch, and then with the Corps of Commissionaires, which brought him from Sydney Mines, Cape Breton and let them travel Europe & Canada together. His adoring children Bill, Tricia (Sean), Erin and Rob (Natasha) always knew him as a man ahead of his time, who never hesitated to tell them he loved them. Who played catch until the sun went down, who not-so-secretly loved chocolate marshmallow bunnies and pancake breakfasts; who taught them to drive the green station wagon "up around the P", the Lada on the hills of UNB and to change a tire in any weather; that every task is worthy of commitment and dedication, and that to be family is to be part of a team forever. Loving grandchildren Matt & Charlie will miss the arena snacks at Mooseheads games with him, and the wild adventure of his clandestine "catch & release" squirrel program. Poppy was the number one fan of granddaughters, Derry & Arlie's repeat, encore, back-by-popular demand, musical extravaganzas. The kindest man, he never had a harsh word for anyone. He taught his children to never judge, or carry a grudge and to truly appreciate the little moments in life. They will carry on his commitment to the environment with his love of misting shower heads, extra sweaters & slippers; and will continue his war on sweatpants without pockets. In retirement he lived to putter in his yard & around home in Burton, do his puzzles, make his daily trip to Giant Tiger, play mahjong on his iPad & read anything to do with military history or nature. He loved fiddle music, perusing the flyers on Thursday, having his hair blow-dried & brushed, Masterpiece Theatre, a good belly laugh and manning the BBQ, much to the joy of family pets. A wonderful son to Margaret & Fah; the best big brother to Jimmy (Kay), Arlene, Francis (Glad), Margaret-Ann and Joe (Christine); a favourite uncle & loyal friend who loved hockey nights with the Leafs, his good buddies, Gordie and Will, and a bag of plain chips. He was always a perfect gentleman, except when forced to elbow the less-spry out of the way to secure the last dozen sugar donuts at the Masstown Market. He kept his sense of humour and his shock of hair (the envy of his brothers), until the very end. Our heartfelt appreciation goes to Dr. Jeffery Moore, Dr. Debra Gowan, and the wonderful nursing staff at the Cardiac Care and Palliative Care units at DECH. A service was held in Oromocto. Donations in lieu of flowers to the "Soldier On" Program Michael Almond Born In: Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada Born: May 29th, 1934 Passed in: Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada Passed on: March 26th, 2011 For Dad To be heard, without saying a word To be hugged when we’re feeling blue, To be understood, when we’re confused So rare was a Dad like you. Your loving smile, and gentle laugh, Made all the difference in our day. Your endless wisdom and timeless advice Always helped us find our way. In you there was no Equal, You were in a class all your own And because of all the Love you gave us, We’ll never be alone. Sadly missed and never forgotten Charlene, Natalie, Deanna, Allison, Michael and Family