Clem Pertus
Born: July 24th, 1915
Passed on: December 20th, 2008
93, Sydney The family of Clem Pertus announce his passing on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008, to his heavenly home, where after 28 years of separation he will be reunited with the love of his life, Doris (Landry). Born in Poulamon, Richmond County on July 24, 1915, Clem is survived by his son, Wayne (Jennifer Cameron); and granddaughters, Erin, Heather and Katie; by his daughter, Francine and granddaughters, Dorisa and Kristine Keating; by his daughter, Mona (Dan Tonet) and granddaughter, Laura; by his special daughter, Lisa; and by his son, Robert (Alexis Rowe) and granddaughters, Ashley and Allie. Clem is also survived by his cherished great-grandson, Haven Postlethwaite (fondly referred to by Clemie as 'Little Oscar'). Clem also leaves to mourn his sisters, Lillian (the late Alphonse) Boudreau, Petit-de-Grat,, Helen (the late Maxwell) Burke, Edna (CND), Clare (Adelard) Samson, Little Anse; sister-in-law, Jeanette (the late Alphonse) Pertus; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and cousins. Clem was predeceased by his parents, Charles Numa and Elizabeth (LeBlanc), by his wife, Doris (June 1980), by his brothers, Armand (June 2003), Alphonse (February 2005) and Teddy (the late Mary Lou) (May 2007), and by his sister, Clo (September 2004). Clem grew up on a prosperous farm in Poulamon, moving to Sydney in 1935 and remained a parishioner at Sacred Heart parish for over 70 years. He was one of the longest serving members of the KOC. He was well known to all in downtown Sydney, where he lived for 52 years. He was a skilful pool player, an avid sports fan enjoying hockey, ball games, wrestling and horse races. Clem was active into his late 80s, skating regularly at the local rinks and outdoors, bicycling and cruising in his 1984 Delta Oldsmobile which he immaculately maintained. Clem worked at various occupations, at the Sydney Steel Plant, Acadian Bus Lines, and LeBlanc Taxi and at the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. He managed the Vidal Hotel (Sydney), the Barker Hotel (Moncton), the Press Club, and the Ceilidh Lounge. After retirement in 1980, he continued active employment well into his 80s as custodian of the Bank of Commerce Building, where due to his conscientious work ethics, that sidewalk on Charlotte Street was most often the first cleared of snow. Clem's philosophy of life has always been "You rust out faster than you wear out" and reflecting on his active lifestyle and his longevity, he certainly proved this true. His greatest joy in life came from his interest in his children and grandchildren with whom he enjoyed almost frequent contact. Respecting Clem's wishes, cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held at T.W. Curry Parkview Chapel, Sunday, Dec. 28 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral mass will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Church on Monday, Dec. 29 at 10 a.m. Family flowers only please. Donations may be made in Clem's memory to the Lupus Society or to the IWK Children's Hospital, which played an integral part in the recovery of his granddaughter in 1988. The family wishes to express sincere gratitude to the staff of Cape Breton County Home Makers, R.C. MacGillivary Guest Home and Harbourstone Enhanced Care, (Spanish Bay) for the absolute wonderful care that our Dad received over the past two years. In his weakened physical state, Dad was always treated with dignity, cheerfulness and respect. We sincerely thank his caregivers for their professional dedication to their tasks. God bless. Your thoughtfulness and kindness will never be forgotten. Online condolences to www.mem.com or twcurryparkviewchapel@ns.sympatico.ca.
