Eddie Tighe
Born In: New Victoria
Passed in: River Ryan
Passed on: January 12th, 2015
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and true friend, Eddie Tighe, on Jan. 12, 2015.
Born in New Victoria, he was the son of the late Jack and Willena (Turnbull) Tighe on Nov. 6, 1932.
Eddie loved to watch his Toronto Maple Leafs, especially when they won! Eddie was an avid tarabish player and loved playing every Monday with his brother-in-law, Winston. Eddie was also an avid gardener and fisherman.
No matter whether it was close friends or people he had just met, Eddie was always the consummate gentleman; a true and loyal friend. He enjoyed listening to their stories and telling them about his and his brother Tommy's 'escapades'. He touched all of us with his kindness and compassion. He was 'the best of the best' and a 'true class act'.
Eddie was a proud member of the Men of the Deeps for 40 years and truly loved every member. They were family to him and he will be sadly missed by them.
He was a member of the Army, Navy, Airforce of New Waterford and enjoyed many a Saturday afternoon listening to and singing along with Dinky Cameron.
He will be forever missed by his best 'furry buddy' Max, who was his co-pilot and who bossed him around and got away with it.
Eddie worked as a coal miner for 15 years. He became a member of UA Local 682 in November 1970 and was business manager from June 1975 to June 1989. Eddie was president of the Nova Scotia Pipe Trades from September 1982 until June 1989. He was the financial secretary of the Cape Breton Building and Construction Trades Council from January 1976 until June 1989, president of the Nova Scotia Joint Conference Board from June 1985 until June 1989 and president of the Nova Scotia and P.E.I. Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee from September 1983 until June 1989. Eddie was a Health and Welfare Pension Trustee for UA Local 682 from 1978-1989. He was an arbitrator on the Canadian Plan for the Settlement of Jurisdictional Disputes in the construction industry from 1993 until present.
Eddie was a knowledgeable and respected steamfitter - pipefitter who became a stabilizing force in the Labour Movement in Cape Breton during the mid 1970s and continued to be a valuable resource for Local 682 and its members until his passing.
Eddie is survived by his loving wife of 27 years, Colleen (Anderson); son Wayne (Mary C.); daughter Mary Campbell; son Eddie (Cathy) and daughter Debbie (Johnnie) MacKinnon and Rob (Charlene) Anderson. He is also survived by his brothers, Jackie, Harry (Stella), Vincie (Lorraine) and Tony (Elaine); sisters, Verna (Horace), Anna, Catherine, Lovie (John L.), Agnes, Anita (Winston); 12 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Also surviving are brothers-in-law, Billy Hinchey and Poncho (Colleen) Anderson; sisters-in-law, Paulie, Mary, Colleen and Edith, Barb and Sandra (Anderson) and Millie Head.
Eddie was predeceased by his first wife Anita (MacIsaac); infant son John Freeman, grandson Stephen Vincent, brothers, Tommy, his best friend, James, Francie, sisters, Victoria and Willena. He was also predeceased by his son-in-law and best friend Angus Campbell, sisters-in-law, Dollie Ganong and Carmel, brothers-in-law, Mike Currie, Don McRury, Buddy Kelly and Bernie Corbett and Robert Anderson.
As per Eddie's request, there will be no visitation and cremation has taken place under the care and direction of V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 380 Smith St., New Waterford. A funeral mass of celebration will be held on Friday, Jan. 16 at 10 a.m. in the Parish Church of St. Leonard, Mount Carmel Avenue, with Fr. Ray Huntley officiating and Fr. Reg Currie concelebrating. A luncheon will follow downstairs at the Army, Navy, Airforce, Unit 217, New Waterford. Donations in his memory may be made to the Lung Association of Nova Scotia.
Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.vjmcgillivray.ca.
