James Gerald Gillis
Born: January 27th, 1932
Grand Mira South Gerald Gillis passed away, surrounded by family, on his 77th birthday, at the Harbourstone Enhanced Care Facility in Sydney. Born in Grand Mira South on Jan. 27, 1932, he was the son of the late Neil J. and Annie (MacArthur) Gillis. Surviving are his daughters, Carol Anne, Grand Mira, and Aimee and Myra, Ottawa, Ont.; son, Jamie, Coquitlam, B.C.; grandchildren, Taylor Lynn, Cruise and Chase; sisters, Agnes MacCormick, Halifax, and Liz (Dan) MacPhee, Sydney; brothers, Francis (Martina), Grand Mira South, and John Pat Gillis, Detroit, Mich.; sisters-in-law, Mary Joe Gillis, Toronto, and Anne Marie Gillis, Grand Mira South. Predeceased by his sister, Florence, brothers, Ronald, Michael and John Alex, and brother-in-law, John MacCormick. Gerald worked for Sydney Steel and Esso for many years. He was a member of the St. Margaret of Scotland parish, the Cape Breton Liberal Association and the Cape Breton Gaelic Society. He had a passion for fishing, farming and for keeping the Gaelic language alive. Very special thanks to the staff of Spanish Bay in the Harbourstone Enhanced Care Facility for their many years of quality care. Visitation will take place at Sydney Memorial Chapel on Friday, 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. A funeral mass will take place St. Margaret of Scotland Church, Grand Mira South, on Saturday, 11 a.m., with Rev. Paul MacGillivary and Rev. Norman MacPhee officiating. Interment in the church cemetery. Following the mass, a reception will be held in the community hall. Memorial donations may be made to St. Margaret's parish cemetery or charity of choice. Condolences may be sent to the family at sydneymemorialchapel@ns.sympatico.ca.
