McKAY, J. A. Fraser
Toney River
With sad hearts, the family of John Alexander “Fraser” McKay announces his passing on April 26, 2017 in the Palliative Care Unit, Aberdeen Hospital, New Glasgow. Born in Salt Springs in 1940, Fraser was the second son of the late James Willard McKay and Doris (Fisher) McKay. In the 1940’s the family moved to Spryfield, where Fraser grew up, attended school and began working. For a short time, Fraser worked at Swift Canadian before joining McKay’s Oilheat, the family burner business. Following that, he was employed with Esso and then, for many years, with Scotia Fuels in Halifax, from which he retired in 2000. Fraser’s greatest passion was his family and his cottage. Having acquired property from his father’s family in 1971, Fraser spent his weekends and vacations building his family a cottage in Toney River. Fraser also enjoyed hunting and fishing, which he did annually with some very good, lifelong friends. After his retirement, Fraser took up full time residence in Toney River where he not only continued to enjoy his cottage, but also acquired his mother’s family home. He then, singlehandedly, renovated it while maintaining the original charm and character of the farm house that had been in his mother’s family since the 1820’s. Fraser was very proud to be the 5th generation owner of the farm and he loved it dearly. He spent many hours enjoying the work he did to the house, listening to music and playing cards with his very good friends. Fraser is survived by his daughter, Elizabeth Elliott (William), Seafoam; his son, James McKay, Halifax; his former wife, Karen (Bastie) McKay, Halifax; his best friend, Myrna McKay, Toney River; brothers, Jim (Helen) McKay, Armdale; Fisher (Gail) McKay, Fall River; sister, Joan (Bill) Simpson, New Minas; sister-in-law, Corinne (Bastie) Scallion, Halifax; brother-in-law, Gerry (Margaret Ann) Bastie, Paradise; Kathy O’Neill, Halifax, who Fraser affectionately referred to as “his 2nd daughter”; grandchildren, Courtney, Benjamin, Cailin, Alexander and Chantal; Tracy (Nauss) McKay; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Besides his parents Fraser was predeceased by his father-in-law, William Bastie and mother-in-law, Margaret (Murphy) Bastie. Elizabeth and James want to extend their most sincere gratitude to the many nurses and volunteers at the Palliative Care Unit of the Aberdeen Hospital and Doctors Farrell & Kwasnik ; special thanks to Myrna & Marilyn for your daily/nightly support throughout this difficult time and all the family and friends for your visits and company. Cremation has taken place and visitation will be 6-9 PM Monday in McLaren Funeral Home, Pictou. A service of remembrance will be held 4:00 PM Tuesday from St. David’s Presbyterian Church, Toney River. Burial to follow in the Riverbank Cemetery, Toney Mills. Family Flowers only please. Donations in Fraser’s memory may be made to the Aberdeen Palliative Care Unit.