Amos Gordon Cantwell
Born In: Bras d'Or
Passed in: North Sydney
Passed on: October 23rd, 2013
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Amos Gordon Cantwell of Bras d'Or and North Sydney on Oct. 23, 2013. Gordie celebrated his 96th birthday on Dec. 8 of 2012.
He was the last surviving member of his family.
Born in Bras d'Or, was the youngest son of Thomas and Bertha (Boudrot) Cantwell. He was predeceased by sisters, Muriel Cantwell, Clara Mae MacDonald, Mary Lent, Bertha White and Anna Naddaf and one brother, Raymond Cantwell. With the exception of the last 10 years, Gordie had lived in the family home in Bras d'Or with his wife Sadie who passed away in 2006.
Gordie was a faithful member of St. Joseph Parish in Bras d'Or and St. Joseph Parish in North Sydney. He will be remembered for his smile, generosity and mild manner.
Gordie's first job as a young man was the Toronto mine in Bras d'Or in 1939. He worked there until he started on the "Lord Calvin", a Western Union cable ship and he sailed from 1942 to 1944. His ship would leave with the convoys en route to England and on more than one occasion he mentioned seeing ships in his convoy struck by torpedoes from enemy submarines. In 1945 Gordie started working at Jabalee's grocery store in North Sydney where he worked as a meat cutter. He remained there until 1959. At that time he started working for Marine Atlantic, spending 11 years on the "Carson", his favourite ship. The remaining years were spent on other ships in the CN Fleet, retiring to pension in 1981.
Gordie was very lucky in that he had good health in his 96 years. He and his wife Sadie travelled to Boston on a regular basis and made trips to Florida and Vancouver in the later years. He always enjoyed seeing family members come home in the summer months for visits and participated in any activities that were planned. He had vivid recollections of the old days growing up in Bras d,Or and was a very interesting storyteller.Gordie will be sadly missed by family and friends alike.
There will be no visitation. Mass of Christian burial will take place at St. Joseph Church in Bras d'Or on Friday at 10:30 a.m. with Fr. Peter McLeod officiating, interment in parish cemetery to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cancer Fund or a charity of choice.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care and direction of Francis Funeral Home.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family by visitingwww.francisfuneralhome.ca.
