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 February 26, 2014 Wednesday There were 6 obituaries published today Charles Michael “Chuck” Lawson - 77 yrs Howard “Sonny” MacKenzie - 78 yrs Agnes Leanore (McNeil) Hayes - 90 yrs Bessey May (Stockley) Murphy - 95 yrs Mary Elizabeth “Betty” “Mae” (Gillis) Moore - 88 yrs Ruth Elaine “Ruthie” Shannon - 70 yrs Charles 'Chuck' Lawson Born In: Sydney Born: August 17th, 1936 Passed in: Sydney Passed on: February 24th, 2014 Charles Michael Lawson of Sydney, passed away Monday, Feb. 24, 2014, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, with his wife of 50 years by his side. Born in Sydney on Aug. 17, 1936, he was the son of the late James and Elizabeth (Brophy) Lawson. Charlie was a graduate of St. FX University, after which he served as a lieutenant in the Black Watch for six years. Following his release, he returned to St. FX and subsequently began his teaching career at Sheriff Jr. High. During his 26 years at Sheriff, Charlie was a popular English teacher and was also involved in extra-curricular activities, which included the school yearbook and as coach of the Sheriff Spartans hockey team. He spent many happy summers at the bungalow enjoying the Bras d’Or Lakes in Big Pond. Charlie was an animal lover, particularly dogs and in his later years, made the rounds of the neighbourhood on his scooter with treats for every dog he met. He was an avid reader and enjoyed music, the louder the better. Surviving are his wife, Dorothy; brother, James, Halifax; sisters, Betty (Jack) Hickey, Port Hawkesbury, Karen MacDonell, Antigonish and Judy (Fred) Glasgow, Mississauga, Ont.; special brothers-in-law, Tom Farrell, Jack (Joan) McDonald, Winnipeg, Ken (Jan) Pineo, New Minas, N.S.; special sister-in-law, Marion Lawson; sister-in-law, Laura (Blair) Steele, Scots Bay; stepson, Jim (Cathy) Kinsman, Lakeville, N.S.; step-grandson, Christopher Kinsman, Waterville, N.S.; special nieces and nephew, Mary Beth, Susan and Mark Farrell, as well as many more nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sisters, Mary Crain and Donna Farrell and brothers-in-law, Arthur Crain and Lauchie MacDonell.Cremation has taken place. There will be no visitation. A private family service will be held at a later date, followed by interment. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the SPCA, Cape Breton Branch or a charity of your choice. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.sydneymemorialchapel.ca or e-mail [email protected] Howard 'Sonny' MacKenzie Born In: Glace Bay Passed in: Glace Bay Passed on: February 20th, 2014 We the family announce the passing of Howard 'Sonny' MacKenzie on February 20, 2014 at Harbor Stone Enhanced Care. Born in Glace Bay he was the son of the late Elizabeth and Howard MacKenzie. Sonny was employed with Devco for many years. Besides his parents he was predeceased by sister Bernadette Arsenault; and brother-in-law Billy Arsenault . There will be no visitation, a private family service will take place in Patten Funeral Home Chapel 71 Union St., Glace Bay at a later date. Agnes Hayes Born In: Caledonia Passed in: Glace Bay Passed on: February 23rd, 2014 In deep sorrow, we announce the passing of Agnes Leanore (McNeil) Hayes on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney. Born in Caledonia, Glace Bay on Dec, 6, 1923m she was the daughter of the late Michael McNeil (Glace Bay) and Nora (Ling) McNeil (Low Point.) Agnes belonged to Holy Cross Church and the alter society. She volunteered with meals on wheels also with Holy Cross. Agnes will be sadly missed by her son, John ‘Jackie’ Hayes; daughter-in-law, Susan Hayes; grandsons, Michael and Patrick Hayes, New Jersey; sister, Teresa (Ralph Curnew), Glace Bay; brothers, Michael McNeil, Cranston, Rhode Island, Gerard (Audrey) McNeil, Dominion; several nieces, nephews; special friend, Gordon and Sharon Hayes, Mira, and caregiver, niece, Valerie Bobbett. Agnes was predeceased by her husband, Angus ‘Butch’ Hayes, formerly of Donkin, her sisters, Jennie Gallivan, Margaret MacDonald, Ann Spencer and brothers, William in infancy and Daniel McNeil. Visitation is today (Wednesday) from 7-9 p.m. in V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 16 Reserve St., Glace Bay. The funeral mass will be celebrated on Thursday, 10 a.m. in Holy Cross Church, with reception to follow. Fr. Norman MacPhee officiating. Interment at a later date in the parish cemetery. Online condolences to the family can be made at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca. Bessey Murphy Born In: Inverness, Canada Passed in: North Sydney, Canada Passed on: February 24th, 2014 It is with saddened hearts, that we the family announce the passing of Bessey May (Stockley) Murphy, on Feb. 24, 2014, at the Northside General Hospital. Born in Inverness she was the daughter of the late John and Ann Stockley. Bessey was the last surviving member of her immediate family. Bessey will be sadly missed by her children, Marie, and Murray and his companion Marie Bauer. She will also be missed by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren who loved her dearly, as well as many nieces and nephews. Besides her parents, Bessey was predeceased by her husband George, daughter Sheila and sons, Frank and Purcell; brothers, George and Arthur; and sisters, Alice, Liza and Henerietta. Cremation has taken place. A celebration of life for Bessey will take place on Friday, Feb. 28, 2014, at 3 p.m. in the S.W. Chant & Son Funeral Home, 564 Alexandra St., with President Jim Kaine of the Church of Latter Day Saints officiating. Interment to take place at a later date in Ingonish. Online condolences may be sent to our web page at www.chantfuneralhome.com. Mary Moore Born In: Jamesville West Passed in: Sydney Passed on: February 24th, 2014 It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing, after a lengthy illness, of our cherished mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Mary Elizabeth ‘Betty, Mae’ Moore, of Taylor St., Sydney, on February 24, 2014. Born at Jamesville West, Victoria County, Betty was the daughter of the late Rod and Katie (MacNeil) Gillis. After Betty spent her early years in Jamesville, she moved to Sydney, where she met and married her loving husband, James Moore. Betty’s focus in life was raising and nurturing her children, followed by her grandchildren. She was never known to be idle, when her family was growing, she spent a number of years working at the K-Mart in the layaway department. Betty was well known for great cooking, her quick wit, and all things Scottish. Betty is survived by her children, Roger Cormier (Chalin), Lynn Sewell (Eric), Kay Gillis, Anne Chiasson (Dave), Shirley Fraser (Joe), Mary Aucoin (Paul), Alan Moore (Patsy), Arlene McCarron (Bob), Aggie MacDonald (Ian), Donnie Moore and Bobby Moore (April); 28 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren; brother, John Anthony Gillis; sisters, Annie Bois and Faye LeFort; as well as many nieces and nephews. Besides her parents and husband, Betty was predeceased by her sons, Jimmy and Wayne, sisters, Jenny, Margaret, Aggie, Theresa, brothers, Neil John, Jimmy, Hector, and several more siblings in infancy. She was also predeceased by her son-in-law, Charlie Gillis. Visitation for the late Mary Elizabeth ‘Betty, Mae’ Moore will be held on Thursday, February 27, 2014 at the Pier Community Funeral Home, Whitney Pier, 1092 Victoria Rd. (entrance on Church Street), from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral mass will be celebrated on Friday, Feb. 28, 2014, at 11 a.m. in Holy Redeemer Church with Fr. Paul Murphy officiating. Following the mass a reception will be held at the Pier Community Funeral Home. Interment will take place in Resurrection Cemetery, Sydney Forks. Family flowers only, for donations in memory of Betty may be made to Feed the Children, Heart and Stroke or charity of one’s choice. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Pier Community Funeral Home. Online condolences may be forwarded to the family at www.pierfuneralhome.com. Ruth Shannon Born: March 26th, 1943 Passed in: Shannara Passed on: February 23rd, 2014 It is with profound sadness and heartbreak we announce the passing of our wonderful, caring mother, grandmother, sister and lifelong soul mate, Ruth Shannon on February 23, 2014. She passed away peacefully with her children and husband by her side, at her home and most cherished place, Shannara, in Long Point, Nova Scotia. “Ruthie” as she was affectionately known, was born in Whitney Pier on March 26, 1943. Her birthmother Mary (McDonald) Cameron passed away when she was only 2 years old. Her father, the late Nevin Cameron (1965), who she greatly loved and admired, remarried Christina Mae Cameron, who raised her and remained a great and warming influence in her life until she passed in 2005. She was loved and respected by all those who knew her. She left a lifelong impression with just one encounter with her genuine warmth and smile. She was as comfortable at Rideau Hall as she was with her hands full of soil in her garden at Shannara. She was always the classiest lady in the room, her style and grace only being out done by her ability to make those around her feel comfortable and welcomed. More than anything else, she dedicated her life to her family. She epitomized the saying, “behind every great man stands a great woman”. She was a dedicated and caring wife to Joseph Shannon who together built a strong and loving family. Her children, Joel, Mark (Patti), Bruce, Jennifer (Joe) White and Jason (Kari), adored everything about her and her memories will be with them forever. She was the type of mother who loved her children equally and unequivocally. She provided her family with storybook summers at Long Point with countless visits from friends and relatives all summer long, playing games, eating fresh vegetables from her garden and sipping hot chocolate into the late evenings, ensuring everyone wanted for nothing despite having no electricity or running water. She loved her grandchildren as if they were her own children. Jessica, Samantha, Kristina, Cameron, Daniel, Mathew, Joseph, Marcus, Ryan, Jarrett, Sarah, Emily, Julia and Gregory have all been blessed with her influence and they will never forget her generosity and their wonderful times with her at Shannara. She is also survived by her siblings Helen Munro and Rev. Ronald (Jean) Cameron. She was predeceased by her three sisters Margie (Henry) Mackenzie, Evelyn Wood and Marie MacLeod and her brother Buddy Cameron. Over the years she was supported wonderfully by her physicians, surgeons and nurses. It seemed like she was always the most popular patient in care as they seemed to learn as much from her as she from them. There are too many to mention by name or by unit, however she would like all those who helped over the years to know she was very grateful and the family feels blessed for the time we had with our Mom as a result of their efforts. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada or the Arthritis Society. Visitation will be held at Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home, 724 Granville St., Port Hawkesbury on Friday, February 28, 2014 from 2 to 4 pm and 6 to 8 pm. A Celebration of Ruth’s Life will be held at the Judique Community Centre on Saturday, March 1st at 11:30 am. Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at: www.haverstocks.com.