Joseph Alexander 'Joe' MacKinnon
Born In: Sydney
Passed in: Sydney
Passed on: September 19th, 2015
It is with tremendous sadness that we announce the passing of a loving and caring husband, a great dad, a wonderful poppa, and a truly good friend to many.
Joseph Alexander 'Joe' MacKinnon, age 67, passed away peacefully at home on Sept. 19, 2015, surrounded by his family.
For several years he fought a long and courageous battle with cancer. He dealt with one illness after another with his chin up and never once did he ever complain about his circumstances. In fact, he said many times "You have to deal with the cards that are dealt you" and deal with them he did in his own quiet and private way.
Joe was born in Sydney to the late Alex and Sadie (MacLellan) MacKinnon, and lived most of his life on Oxford Street, Sydney.
He attended St. Joseph's school and later at the C.B. Regional Vocational School, where he graduated as an industrial electrician. Joe worked for Sydney Steel as an electrician for 30 years.
Growing up on Oxford Street, Joe had many lasting friends. He played hockey and baseball, and later coached T-ball and Little League and for many years he coached minor hockey in Cape Breton Minor Hockey Association.
He was truly passionate about all sports and especially enjoyed following his beloved Toronto Maple Leafs. He never gave up on them year after year.
Joe is survived by his highschool sweetheart, his wife and partner of 45 years, Lorraine (Connors). Together they raised their three sons, Martin (Joanne Romeo), Quispamsis, N.B., Michael (Charlene Murphy), Campbell River, B.C. and Adam, Sydney, N.S. He is also survived by his and Lorraine's biological daughter, Tracy Emberson, London, Ont. He always felt very blessed and thankful to be reunited with her 20 years ago.
Besides his greatest legacy of his children, he will be missed so much by the grandchildren he adored, Malcolm, Morgan and Maxim from New Brunswick, and Matthew, Liam and Ella Rose, from Campbell River, B.C. His family was everything to him and he loved them so much. He is survived by his brothers, Gerard (Barbara), Coxheath, and Alexander (Joanne), Northside East Bay; his two sisters, Peggy (Heidi) MacLeod, Westmount and Ann Marie Dwyer, Sydney. He will be sadly missed by his brother-in-law, Vince MacDonald, East Bay and Wendell (Tina) and George Connors, along with his sister-in-law Pam Lesnick. They loved and respected him dearly, and he in turn felt the same. He will be missed by many nieces and nephews, and many good friends.
Besides his parents and grandparents, Joe was predeceased by his brother Francis and his wife Debbie, Pitt Meadows, Vancouver, his sister Sally (Vince) MacDonald, East Bay. He was also predeceased by his father and mother in-law, Gerald and Rose Connors, and his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Gerald and Lorna Connors.
Visitation for Joe will be held at T.W. Curry Parkview Chapel on Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral service will be held at Our Lady of Fatima Church on Wednesday at 11 a.m. Burial will take place at East Bay Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the C.B. Cancer Assocication and/or Palliative Care.
Stories and condolences may be forwarded to the family by visiting www.twcurry.com.
