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 January 18, 2014 Saturday There were 9 obituaries published today Margaret Jane Ongo - 80 yrs Clifford McNeil - 79 yrs Robert Eric Beaton - Teresa (Campbell) Russell - 45 yrs Vincent Paul Keating - 26 yrs Madonna (Cantwell) MacDonald - 86 yrs George “Georgie” Laidlaw - 63 yrs Rita Bussey - Carolyn MacKenzie - Margaret Ongo Born In: Port aux Basques Passed in: North Sydney Passed on: January 17th, 2014 Our beautiful mother, grandmother, sister and friend, Margaret Jane Ongo (Francis), passed from this life peacefully, on Friday, January 17, 2014, at the Northside Community Guest Home. Margaret was a daughter of the late Philip and Rebecca (Buttery) Francis. She was born in Port aux Basques, Nfld., but spent most of her life in North Sydney, where she raised her family with the late Frederick Ongo. Prior to raising her family, Margaret worked as a switchboard operator for Newfoundland and Ontario telephone companies. Later she ran the F&M Lunch in Boularderie and the Candle Dining Room in North Sydney. She was a tireless worker and spent many years in retail and once again in the restaurant industry, as hostess of the Gateway Restaurant in North Sydney. Margaret was happiest when she was surrounded by family. She enjoyed being active in the lives of her children, no matter how old they became, and loved her grandchildren dearly. She was the glue that held our family together despite any obstacles or distance. She also enjoyed time spent with friends. She was a Lifetime member of the North Sydney Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary and the North Sydney Senior Citizens and Pensioners Club. Margaret was passionate about her bingo and few things came between her and a good game. She was a member of St. Joseph Church, North Sydney. Margaret is survived by her children, Darlene Watson, Sydney, Philip and his fiancé Angie, Centre Burlington, Hants County, NS, Keith Ongo and his wife, Melanie Fells and Sandra Theriault, both of Sydney Mines; by her four grandchildren, Christina and her husband Clinton O’Shea and their son Conor, Colchester England, Rebecca Ongo of Centreville, Kings County, NS, Chelsey Theriault of Sydney Mines and Greg Day, Alberta; by her sister, Dorothy Cross and brother, Oswald Francis, both of Port aux Basques, Nfld. She was predeceased by her first husband, Charles Lillington, when she was very young; her second husband, Fred Ongo; her sister, Regis Rose, brothers, Walter, Clarence and Arthur Francis and her son-in-law, Eric Watson. Visitation for Margaret will be 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday, in the W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant St., North Sydney. A funeral mass will be held Monday at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Church, North Sydney, with Rev. Francis Cameron officiating. Burial will take place in Holy Cross Cemetery, at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Northside Community Guest Home or a charity of choice. Online condolences may be sent to www.wjdooley.com. To the one that bears the sweetest name And adds luster to the same, Sweet rest to her For there is no other, Who will take the place Of our dear Mother. Clifford McNeill Born In: Birch Lake Passed in: Sydney Forks Passed on: January 17th, 2014 It is with great sadness that we, the family announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother, Clifford McNeill, on Friday, January 17, 2014 at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney. Born in Birch Lake, Saskatchewan, he was the son of the late Clifford and Frances (Tobin) McNeill. Clifford is survived by his wife of 56 years, Eileen (MacDonald); sons, Donnie (Colleen); Darryl (Deborah); daughters; Gail, Jean, Kim (Kevin) Carrigan and Lynn. ‘Papa’ will be greatly missed by his grandchildren, Amy, Clayton, Tyler, Melissa and Dillon McNeill; Jenny and Kyle McNeill; Julie and Raymond Carrigan; Tanner and Travis McNeill and Justin and Meaghan McNeill. Clifford is also survived by his brother, Don and wife Audrey, Enfield, NS and sister Frances Lind and husband Tony, Markham, ON. He was predeceased by his beloved granddaughter, Vicki McNeill; his sister, Elva Vassallo and brother Eddie. Clifford was an employee of Municipal Ready Mix for over 40 years and ran Clifford McNeill Enterprises for many years. Clifford was a kind, gentle man who dedicated his life to his family. He had a great love for horses and owned and cared for many of them during his lifetime. Some of his most treasured moments were with his horses down on ‘the farm’, where his family enjoyed many sleigh rides during the wintertime. In lieu of flowers, the family suggest donations be made to Cape Breton Palliative Care, VON or charity of choice. Visitation for Mr. McNeill will take place from 7-9 p.m. on Sunday and 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. on Monday at T.W. Curry Parkview Chapel. Funeral mass will be celebrated at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday in St. Mary’s Church, East Bay with Rev. Frank Abbass officiating. Interment in the parish cemetery. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.twcurry.com. Robert Beaton Born In: Windsor, Ontario, Canada Passed on: December 18th, 2013 It is with regret that we announce the sudden passing of my brother, Robert Eric Beaton, on Wednesday, December 18, 2013, at his home. Born in Windsor, Ontario, he was the son of the late Clarence and Margaret (Jackson) Beaton. Eric worked as a labourer for many years and enjoyed repairing cars. He is survived by his sister, Marilyn (Robert) Wilson of Calgary. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his brother John Beaton. There will be no visitation or funeral service for Robert. Cremation has taken place and a private family burial will be held at a later date. Funeral arrangements entrusted to W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, North Sydney. Online condolences may be sent to www.wjdooley.com. Teresa Russell (Campbell) Born In: Glace Bay Passed in: Glace Bay Passed on: January 17th, 2014 It is with heavy hearts we announce the sudden and unexpected passing of Teresa Russell age 45 of Glace Bay. Theresa passed away on Friday, January 17, 2014 at the Glace Bay Hospital. Born in Glace Bay Teresa was the daughter of Wayne Campbell and the late Agnes (McLellan) Campbell. Teresa was happy and content to stay at home to take care of her family. Her grandchildren meant the world to her. She enjoyed playing darts and having a beer with her family and friends. She will be sadly missed by her father, Wayne Campbell; loving husband, Glenn; daughters, Stacy Russell, Cold Lake, Alberta, Sarah Russell (Jordan), Glace Bay; son, John Glenn, at home; sisters, Mary Ann (Howard) Lawrence, June (Russell) Hannan, Betty Campbell, Gen (Robbie Parsons) – all of Glace Bay; brothers, Arthur (Karen), Glace Bay, Troy (Janet) Campbell, Petawawa, Ont.; three cherished grandchildren, Jordy, Lyndon and Leah. Also surviving are many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and best friend, Margie McNeil. Besides her mother, Teresa was predeceased by her mother and father-in-law, Hayward and Gertrude Russell. In keeping with Teresa’s wishes cremation will take place. Visitation will be held 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. on Monday, January 20, 2014 in V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 16 Reserve St., Glace Bay. A funeral service will be held Tuesday, January 21st at 11 a.m. in the funeral home chapel with Fr. Leo Boone officiating. Donations in Teresa’s memory may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation. Online condolences to the Russell family are available through www.vjmcgillivray.ca. Vincent Keating It is with deep sadness we announce that Vincent Paul Keating, 'Vince', 26, of Albert Bridge, has passed away peacefully. He grew up in Howie Centre before moving with his family to the Mira, a place he treasured, in high school. Known for his ease in connecting with people, Vince valued the friends and family in his life more than anything. He was a beautiful musician, talented athlete, and sincerely good listener. Throughout his life he maintained an easygoing demeanor which touched each person he met; his contagious smile and genuine interest in others afforded him many friends who cared for him deeply. Vince found much joy in his Tuesday night church group, where he very quickly became part of a family; he experienced the power and strength of Jesus’ love and wanted to share that with everyone around him. He believed in eternal life and happiness, and in the beauty and peace that awaits us all after our time on earth. Vincent’s memory lives on in his Mom, Debbie, who always held a special place in his heart; siblings Meaghan, Emily, Alex and Morgan; stepfather, Pat; grandmother, Susie Favaro; a very close extended family and so many friends. Visitation for Vincent will be held at T.W. Curry Parkview Chapel today (Saturday), Jan. 18th from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. His funeral service will be at Our Lady of Fatima parish, officiated by Fr. Norman McPhee at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 19th. Memorial donations may be made to Talbot House. Online condolences to www.twcurry.com. Madonna (Cantwell) MacDonald Passed in: Sydney Passed on: January 16th, 2014 It is with profound sadness that we announce the death of Madonna (Cantwell) MacDonald on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014. Formerly of Kings Road, she passed away at Harbourstone Enhanced Care (Soldiers Cove), where she resided for the past four years. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. Predeceased by her parents, Amos and Marguerite (Gannon) Cantwell; her husband, Roderick; brothers, Gerald and Con; and sisters, Alma Ferguson and Jenny Butts. A devoted and loving mother, she is survived by her children, John (Helen), Marguerite, Sandra Guenette (Serge), Alma Leader (Todd) and Pauline McLean (Andrew). Also surviving are eight grandchildren, Christopher (Nicole) and Kyle MacDonald, Brandon and Andrew Guenette, Ali Madonna and Brian Leader and Abbie and Liam McLean. She is also survived by honorary daughter, Gloria MacMillan. Born and raised in North Sydney, she attended St. Martha’s Hospital School of Nursing and worked for many years at Harbourview Hospital in Sydney Mines, where she treated her patients with great care and compassion. Her deep faith was evident in all her activities of daily living and it gave her great strength. Ma you will live on forever in our hearts and memories. To the staff of Soldiers Cove, thank you is not adequate enough for the gratitude we have for all the wonderful care and compassion shown to our mother and our family over the past four years. Funeral mass will be celebrated 2 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 20 at Saint Anthony Daniel Church. Private family interment will take place at Resurrection Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.sydneymemorialchapel.ca or email [email protected] George 'Georgie' Laidlaw Born In: Sydney Mines Born in Sydney Mines, N.S., he was the son of late Jesse and Lawrence Laidlaw. Survived by sisters, Willena Johnson, Linda Arsenault and brother, Larry; as well as many neices, nephews and grand-neices & nephews. Predeceased by brothers, Doug, James and sister, Anne. While we grieve, we also celebrate the warmth and beauty of a wonderful man now in a heavenly place. Surrounded by many of his beloved family, George (Georgie) Laidlaw is now home again, accompanied by his beloved dog, Babette. May your spirits soar with the love you earned while you were earthbound Georgie, and travel light and fast to your ultimate content. We look forward to your special touch at every birthday. Celebration of life service Saturday, Jan. 25th at 10 a.m., Northwood Manor, Halifax. Interment will be held at a later date in Cape Breton in the spring. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, 5826 South St., Halifax, N.S., B3H1S6, or online at www.cancer.ca. Rita Bussey We, the family of the late Rita Bussey, who passed away Dec. 19, 2013, wish to express sincere thanks to all family, friends, neighbors and co-workers for their support and kindness. Thank you to all who sent mass cards, sympathy cards, monetary gifts, food, on line condolences and donations. A special thank you to Mom's nephew Jason Burke and her niece Elaine Carter for reading at the service, it was greatly appreciated. To Fr. Howard Lathigee, thank you very much for participating in the service, we know this would have meant alot to Mom. Words cannot express the kindness, compassion and professionalism of Sheldon and the staff of S.W. Chant Funeral Home shown to us during such a difficult time. Sheldon, thank you is not enough for the wonderful service, you added so much, we couldn't have asked for more. Thank you to Aaron Lewis for playing the organ, singing with Sheldon and doing the most amazing job of singing "How Great Thou Art", which was Dad's favorite hymn. Darlene, John, Myrchal, Joe & Grandchildren Bryant, Mike and Jayme. Carolyn MacKenzie The family of the late Carolyn MacKenzie, who passed away Dec. 27, 2013, wish to express sincere thanks to all family, friends and neighbors for their support and kindness. Thank you to all who sent sympathy cards and donations. Special thanks to the staff at the Northside General, Cape Breton County Homemakers and W.J. Dooley Funeral Home. - The Family of Carolyn MacKenzie