Hector Gillis
Born In: Little Bras d'Or, Nova Scotia
Born: October 13th, 1923
Passed on: April 21st, 2018
Hector Gillis, age 94, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on February 21, 2018. Born in Little Pond on October 13, 1923, Hector was the son of the late Hector and Jane (Boutilier) Gillis.
The majority of his working years were at Dominion Coal, and later with Devco, starting at age 16, and retiring at age 59. When the coal mines were on strike, Hector worked in Dingwall, on the William Carson, and at the Department of Lands and Forests in Coxheath.
Hector truly loved his part-time work of driving taxi. It is here he became known as “Heckie the Hawk”. He started driving taxi at the age of 17. He owned and operated Florence Taxi for 61 years, retiring in 2001. Heckie loved to tell stories and have a great chat with his passengers. He was a volume of knowledge about local events happening on Florence Corner. Heckie loved to talk politics and sports.
In his youth, Heckie was an avid baseball and hockey player. His favourite teams being the St. Louis Cardinals and the Montreal Canadiens.
Besides his parents, his was predeceased by his wife, Mellodee (Millie) Aubrecht in 1986; sister, Violet, who died at age eight, and son-in-law, Charles Mason.
Heckie will be sadly missed by his son, Shaun, at home. Shaun was Heckie’s caregiver for 15 years. Also left to mourn are his daughter, Marie Elaine (Allan) MacDougall, Antigonish; his son, Michael (Eleanor), Halifax, and his two grandchildren, Michelle, Halifax and Sheena, Toronto.
Special thanks to Dr. Michel McKeough and Louise McKeough for all their support over the years. What you did will not be forgotten.
The family would like to extend their appreciation to the wonderful staff at the Northside General Hospital for their devoted care over the years. This includes the ER, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th floors, where Heckie was a patient. Heckie appreciated the great care he received. Thank you to all friends, neighbours and family who were so supportive.
Visitation for Hector Gillis will be held on Wednesday, April 25, 2018, from 2-5 p.m. in J.M. Jobes Funeral Home, Main Street, Sydney Mines. The funeral Mass will take place on Thursday at 11 a.m. in Holy Family Church, Sydney Mines, with Fr. James Oliver officiating. A reception will be held in the parish hall after the service.
Family flowers only please. Donations in Heckie’s memory may be made to the MS Society of Canada, or a charity of choice.
Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at www.jmjobesfuneralhome.com.
