Canadian Obituaries Forum
Share and search for your Canadian obituaries for genealogy research!
The search engine for this forum is optimized for SURNAME research primarily.
Percy Byron Murrant
62, Sydney
Percy Byron Murrant, 62, of 100 Kings Rd., Sydney, died at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney, Saturday, Sept. 4, 1999.
Born in Port Morien, he was the son of the late Percy and Annie (Wadden) Murrant. He was an adherent of St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Port Morien. He was a former fisherman before moving to Vancouver.
He is survived by one sister, Anna (Mrs. Harold Wadden), Manitoba; also by a number of nieces.
He was predeceased by two brothers.
The family extends a very deep appreciation to the many people of Sydney for their care for Percy over the years.
There will be no visitation. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, Sept. 8, at 2 p.m. in St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Port Morien. Burial will be in the church Cemetery.
Arrangements entrusted to Patten Funeral Home and Chapel, Glace Bay.
Charles Joseph Poirier
55, New Waterford
Charles Joseph Poirier, 55, of New Waterford, passed away Friday, Sept. 3, 1999, at New Waterford Consolidated Hospital.
He was the son of the late Philip and Mary Helen (LeForte) Poirier. He joined the Air Force at age 17, retiring in 1989.
He is survived by brothers, Paul (Judy), Kanawake, Quebec, Patrick, Hamilton, Ont., and Clifford, Brampton, Ont.; a sister, Cecilia (John) Coish, New Waterford.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his sisters, Lillian and Mary Cecile; brothers, Wilfred and David.
There will be no visitation. His body was donated to science, Dalhousie Medical School.
Memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.
John A. Steele
82, North Sydney
John A. Steele, 82 a resident of Tobin Ave., North Sydney, passed away Saturday, Sept. 4, 1999, at the Northside General Hospital.
Born in Sydney Mines, he was a son of the late Hugh and Jane (Nicholson) Steele.
Johnny was a coal miner for most of his life working in the Princess Colliery for 35 years. He was a member of St. Matthew Wesley United Church, North Sydney.
He is survived by his wife the former Marie Johnson; daughter Caroline (Kenny) MacLeod, North Sydney; two sons, Hector Steele and Percy Steele (Mary), both of North Sydney; sister Mary Ann Boutilier, Sydney Mines; four grandchildren, Marianne S. MacSween, Georges River, Bonnie Steele, North Sydney, Marie MacLeod, Halifax and Caroline MacLeod, North Sydney.
He was predeceased by two sisters, Sadie (Mrs. Malcolm “Pin” MacAulay) and Annie (Mrs. Michael Wade).
Cremation has taken place. A private family service will be held at a later date. Interment of ashes in Lakeside Cemetery. Memorial donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.
Arrangements entrusted to the W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, North Sydney.
Rev. Charles Aucoin
88, Cheticamp
On Monday, Sept. 6, 1999, at the Sacred Heart Hospital in Cheticamp, Fr. Charles Aucoin died at the age of 88.
He was the son of the late Moise Aucoin and Mathilde Leblanc.
He was born in Cheticamp on Feb. 19, 1911 and was ordained priest at the Eudist Seminary in Charlesbourg on Feb. 9, 1936.
Fr. Aucoin accomplished several ministries in the church. He was professor of Canon Law at Holy Heart Seminary in Halifax from 1938 to 1958 and from 1961 to 1967. Fr. Aucoin was Superior of the Seminary from 1956 to 1962. While residing in Halifax, from 1967 to 1973, he worked at the Atlantic Regional Marriage Tribunal. In 1973, he returned to Cheticamp to retire. He spent numerous hours in researching the history of the region and the genealogy of Acadian families. He was one of the promoters of the construction of the Cultural Centre “Les Trois Pignons.”
According to his own wishes, funeral services will take place in Cheticamp. Visiting will take place Wednesday at the funeral parlor from 2-4 p.m. and in the church from 7-9 p.m. A funeral mass will be celebrated Thursday, Sept. 9 at 11 a.m. celebrated by Msgr. Colin Campbell, Bishop of the Diocese of Antigonish and the Priests of the Diocese, fellow Eudists and visiting priests. Burial will be in the parish Cemetery in Cheticamp.
Fr. Aucoin is mourned by his sister, Mrs. Josephine Bourgeois, his Eudist conferes, many nephews and nieces and a very large number of friends. He was predeceased by two brothers, Johnny and Joseph, three sisters, Victorie, Elizabeth and Sophie.
Robert William Buchanan
79, Grand Anse
Robert William Buchanan, 79, of Grand Anse, died Monday, Sept. 6, 1999, in the Strait Richmond Hospital, Evanston.
He was a son of the late Duncan and Florence Buchanan.
He retired from Parks Canada as chief warden. He was a graduate of the Maritime Forest Ranger School and was a veteran of the Second World War, serving with the Cape Breton Highlanders in England and Italy. He was a lifetime member and past president of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 47, St. Peter’s.
He is survived by his wife, the former Jean Frost; four daughters, Myra (Mrs. Max Holdright), Maitland Bridge, N.S., Beverly, Ottawa, Carol (Mrs. Rory Gibson), Gibson, B.C., Valerie (Mrs. Donald Hussey), Coxheath, N.S.; one son, Lorne (wife Mary Beth), Hampton, N.B.; 12 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren. Also survived by one brother Duncan John (D.J.), Sydney; three sisters, Louise (Zana) (wife of the late Cortland Shaw), Tacoma, Wash., U.S.A., Rita (Mrs. Arne Pedersen), Nanaimo, B.C., Jean (Mrs. Norman Adams), Coxheath.
He was predeceased by one brother, John MacKenzie and one sister, Anna (Mrs. Danny MacEachern).
The family will receive visitors today (Wednesday) 10 a.m.-9 p.m. in the Alex A. Morrison Funeral Home, St. Peter’s. A legion service will be held in the funeral home Wednesday at 8 p.m. Funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Black River United Church, Dundee with the Rev. Keith Adams officiating. Burial to follow in the Black River Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Black River United Church.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Alex A. Morrison Funeral Home, St. Peter’s.
Albert F. Devoe
70, Alder Point
Albert F. Devoe, 70, of 634 Alder Point, passed away peacefully at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney, Saturday, Sept. 4, 1999, after a lengthy illness.
Born in Alder Point, he was the son of the late Ernest and Matilda (White) Devoe. He was a member of Trinity Anglican Church, Sydney Mines. He had worked for the old Bras d’Or Coal Company and had sailed on the Great Lakes. He was retired from the Cape Breton Development Corp. after 21 years service and was a CBer known as the “Blue Bomber.”
He is survived by his wife, the former Stella Collins; daughters, Paulette (Mrs. Brian MacLean), Jeannie (Mrs. Don Arsenault), both of Alder Point, Cathy (Mrs. David Compton), Point Aconi, Dorothy (Mrs. Joe Forrest), Florence; sons, Walter (André), Donnie (Nancy), Elmer (Mary), all of Alder Point, Sherman (Edna), Florence, Melvin (Darlene), Bras d’Or, Clayton (Sherri), Big Bras d’Or, Ernie (Lisa), at home; sister, Bernette (Bunny) Carey, Sydney; brothers, Earl, Ontario, Melvin, Wolfville, Stanley (Tootle), Florence; 25 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren and a number of aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by three children in infancy, Mary Catherine, Geraldine and Ernest, two sisters, Helen Saunders and Pearl Devoe.
Visitation was held in the Fillmore and Whitman Funeral Home, Tuesday drom 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral services will be held today at 2 p.m. in Trinity Anglican Church with Archdeacon Reg MacDonald officiating. Burial will be in Trinity Cemetery, Tobin Road.
Mary Catherine Garabb
82, North Sydney
Mary Catherine Garabb, 82, of 550 Seaview Dr., North Sydney, passed away peacefully, Tuesday, Sept. 7, 1999, in the company of loved ones.
Mary, was widely known and loved as “Aunt Mae” by family and friends. She loved life and was an enthusiastic and talented painter in oils. A great lover of flowers, her way with plants, particularly her beloved African violets, was the envy of all who visited her home.
In her earlier years when ladies hats were in fashion, Mae took great pride in finding just that right Easter bonnet or Christmas hat. Her other passions included singing and romantic black and white movies.
During the war years, Mary aided the war effort in the Dominion Hydrographic Survey of tides in Sydney harbour.
After the war she ran her own restaurant, Mae’s Diner on Archibald Avenue, North Sydney. Until retirement she worked in the Central Supply and Requisition Department (CSR) of St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, now Northside General.
Mae treasured her friendships with old schoolmates from St. Joseph’s Convent and her many church activities, including CWL, Children of Mary and St. Joseph’s Church Choir.
Engaged and interested in the world around her, she followed world events closely and was an active supporter of numerous charities including Amnesty International. In her last years she enjoyed travel to France, Portugal and Central America.
Mae was an affectionate and thoughtful aunt to two generations in her family. With loving care and consideration she rarely missed a greeting on any birthday or anniversary.
She was predeceased by her mother, Catherine Garabb Robertson and her father Moses Garabb of North Sydney.
She is survived by her sister, Helen (Mrs. Aber Joseph), North Sydney; brother, Joseph Garabb, Sydney; stepsisters, Rita (Mrs. Paul Andrea), Sydney and Margaret (Mrs. Henry Hollett), North Sydney; nieces, Patricia (Mrs. Frank Slabe), Calgary, Joanne (Mrs. Alex MacIsaac), Sydney Forks, Cathy (Mrs. Bruce Read), Fredericton, Janice (Mrs. Joseph Waye), Sydney; nephews, Roger Garabb, Coxheath, Brian Joseph, North Sydney and many loving grand nieces and nephews.
She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
Visitation will be held Thursday, 7-9 p.m. and Friday, 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at Dooley’s Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant St., North Sydney. Funeral mass at St. Joseph’s Church, Saturday, 10 a.m., Fr. Tom MacNeil presiding. Burial at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Sydney.
Remembrances may be made in flowers, or by contributions to a preferred charity.
Aulay Martell Peach
77, Glace Bay
Aulay Martell Peach, 77, of 6 Hillier St., Glace Bay, passed away Monday, Sept. 6, 1999, at the Glace Bay Health Care Complex.
Born in Port Morien, he was the son of the late Fred and Susan (Martell) Peach. He was a member of St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Port Morien.
He was a veteran of the Second World War, having served with the medical corp. He was formerly employed at Sydney Steel Corp. and worked on many construction sites on and off the island as a mason.
Mr. Peach is survived by his wife, the former Doleen MacKay; daughter, Nancy King, Glace Bay; sons, Trevor, Roy (Shauna), John (Cynthia), all of Glace Bay and Paul, Sydney; sisters, Frances, Seaview Manor, Alice, Annapolis Valley; brothers, George, Halifax, Melvin, Donkin, Joe, LeRoy, Port Morien, Ted, Annapolis Valley. Also surviving are eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by a son, Terrance, brothers, Gordon and Turner and sisters, Beatty and Sarah.
Visitation for the late Mr. Peach will be held Wednesday 2-4, 7-9 p.m. in V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 16 Reserve St., Glace Bay. Funeral service will be Thursday at 2 p.m. in St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Port Morien with Rev’d Paul Findlay and Rev’d Fev Arnold officiating. Interment will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Glace Bay.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Mr. Peach’s memory to the Canadian Cancer Society or St. Paul’s memorial fund are suggested as an expression of sympathy.
Jeanette Robinson
84, Glace Bay
Jeanette Robinson, 84, of Glace Bay, died peacefully at her residence Monday, Sept. 6, 1999.
Born in Donkin, she was the daughter of the late William and Joan (Donaldson) Robinson. She was a Silver Cross Wife.
She is survived by son, Tony (Cavelle), Ontario; daughters, Alene, (Ed) MacDougall, Joan, Loretta (Pat), all of Glace Bay, Irma (Reg), St. Catharines, Ont.; brother, Byron Wilson, New Brunswick and a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Predeceased by her husband, Alfred Robinson, sons, Hector, Bill and John, daughters, Marion Ransome and two daughters in infancy, brothers, Robert Wilson, Lawrence, Wilson and William in infancy, sisters, Wilma Wadden, Florence Miles and Barbara Munroe.
There will be no visitation. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held Friday, Sept. 10, 1999 at 2 p.m. in Greenwood Cemetery, Glace Bay, with the Rev. Eric Lynk officiating.
Arrangements entrusted to Patten Funeral Home, Glace Bay.
John A. Steele
82, North Sydney
John A. Steele, 82, a resident of Tobin Avenue, North Sydney, passed away Saturday, Sept. 4, 1999, at the Northside General Hospital.
Born in Sydney Mines, he was a son of the late Hugh and Jane (Nicholson) Steele.
Johnny was a coal miner for most of his life working in the Princess Colliery for 35 years. He was a member of St. Matthew Wesley United Church, North Sydney.
He is survived by his wife, the former Marie Johnson; daughter, Caroline (Kenny) MacLeod, North Sydney; two sons, Hector Steele and Percy Steele (Mary), both of North Sydney; sister, Mary Ann Boutilier, Sydney Mines; four grandchildren, Marianne S. MacSween, Georges River, Bonnie Steele, North Sydney, Marie MacLeod, Halifax and Caroline MacLeod, North Sydney.
He was predeceased by one son, Huey Steele, two sisters, Sadie (Mrs. Malcolm “Pin” MacAulay) and Annie (Mrs. Michael Wade), four brothers, Heckie, Neil, Hugh and Donald.
Cremation has taken place. A private family service will be held at a later date. Interment of ashes in Lakeside Cemetery. Memorial donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.
Arrangements entrusted to the W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, North Sydney.
Gail Marguerite Cantwell
43, Bras d'Or
Gail Marguerite Cantwell, 43, of 1072 Trans Canada Highway, Bras d’Or, died Wednesday, Sept. 8, 1999, peacefully surrounded by family and friends in the Northside General Hospital.
Born in Sydney Mines, she was the daughter of Con and Mae (Ferguson) Cantwell. She was a member of St. Joseph’s Church, Bras d’Or. Gail worked for 15 years with National Sea.
Gail is survived by sisters, Gloria (Mrs. John MacIntyre), Sydney Mines, Joan (Mrs. Ronald MacDonald), North Vancouver, B.C., Arlene Cantwell, Thorold, Ont., Roxanne Cantwell (Neil), Sydney Mines, Karen (Mrs. David Marsh), Sydney Mines, Avril (Mrs. Peter Caldwell), Sydney Mines; brothers, Conrad (Pauline), Sydney Mines, Brian (Ann), Sydney Mines and Blair (Cathy), St. Catharines, Ont. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held today (Thursday) 2-4, 7-9 p.m. in G.R. Francis and Son Funeral Home, Sydney Mines. Funeral mass will take place Friday at 10:30 a.m. in St. Joseph’s Church, Bras d’Or with Rev. Joe Gillis officiating. Burial in parish Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or charity of choice.
Neil Whitman Chambers
49, North Sydney
Neil Whitman Chambers, 49, died Wednesday, Sept. 8, 1999, at his home in North Sydney.
Neil was a lover of science and knowledge, an extraordinary musician and a teacher to many. Neil has touched the lives of all who have crossed his path. Neil graduated from Mount Allison University in 1974. He taught music in Newfoundland and Toronto before returning to North Sydney in 1984.
Neil was predeceased by his father, James Chambers, his mother, Vivian (Whitman) Chambers and his paternal grandmother, Winnifred Chambers.
Neil leaves behind his caring and devoted wife, Cheryl (Swan) Chambers; two stepchildren, Christopher and Shannon,; his brother, Ralph Chambers; sister, Tanya (Chambers) Starratt; nieces and nephews, Kevin and Tanya Chambers and Neila and Cameron Starratt and many, many friends.
“The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mystery. It is the source of all art and science.” -Albert Einstein
Elizabeth (Deveaux) MacIntosh
83, Cheticamp
Elizabeth (Deveaux) MacIntosh, 83, daughter of the late Charles and Annie (Deveau) died Wednesday, Sept. 1, 1999, at the Pere Fiset Guest Home in Cheticamp.
Surviving are her husband, John; daughters, Annie Bourgeois, St. Catharines, Ont., Bridgitte Plaxton, Brampton, Ont., Margaret Roach, Belle Marche, Inverness County; son, Joseph Moroze, Sydney; her brother, Auguste, Cheticamp; her sister, Margaret Mary Deveau, Cheticamp; 12 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her grandson, Anthony Bourgeois, brothers, Timothy, Marcellin and Leo.
Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be offered Saturday, Sept. 11 at 10 a.m. at St. Peter’s Church, Cheticamp. Burial at the parish Cemetery.
Arrangements under the direction of Cheticamp Funeral Home.
Elizabeth (Betty) May Murphy
63, Sydney
Elizabeth (Betty) May Murphy, 63, of 312 Esplanade, Sydney, wife of the late (Eck) Murphy, formerly of Reserve Mines, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Sept. 8, 1999, at home surrounded by her family.
Born in Glace Bay, she was the daughter of the late Johnny and Lucy (Burns) McNeil.
Surviving are her five children, two sons, Bill (Donna), Sydney, John David (Junior), Halifax; three daughters, Frances (Jimmy) Fraser, New Waterford, Donna (Peck) Gouthro, Reserve Mines and Jane (Billy) Musgrave, North Sydney. She is survived by three brothers, John Joe and David, both of Glace Bay and Robert, Sydney. She is also survived by eight grandchildren and a very good friend, Lois Baldwin.
She was predeceased by a grandson, Donny Fraser.
Upon request, there will be no visitation or service. Cremation will take place and a private burial will be held at a later date.
Donations may be made to Palliative Care Service.
Arrangements under the direction of Sydney Memorial Chapel.
