Roderick MacKenzie "Rory" MacRae
Rory passed away Thursday, October 11, 2018, at home in Sydney after a lengthy illness. He was born in Sugarloaf, Cape Breton on March 19, 1927. Rory left Sugarloaf at the age of 16 to sign on to a merchant ship in Halifax. He sailed on several of the Canadian “Park Ships”, as well as an American Liberty ship during his service in the Merchant Navy, including throughout World War II. He retired from the sailor’s life in 1946, returning to Sugarloaf, where he worked for National Gypsum in Dingwall, following which he moved to Montreal in 1949 and worked for Dominion Engineering. In 1952, he returned to Cape Breton, settled in Sydney and began his career in the local automotive industry. Due to failing eyesight, he retired from Clark Tire in 1982. Rory was very active as a volunteer during his retirement and supported many causes which had been important to him and his family over the years. He was a life member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 138, Ashby, the Cape Breton Naval Veterans, Sydney Lions Club, CNIB and CCB and he was a common sight around Sydney every year on the Salvation Army Kettle campaign. Rory is survived by his sister, Anne MacLean; daughters, Sheila and Sharon, Sydney and Diana Deveau (Daniel Chiasson), Cheticamp; daughter-in-law, Manon Avon, Montreal; sons, Ken (Martha), River Ryan, Roddie (Carol), Queensland Beach and Gordon James (Raghav Baliga), London, England; grandchildren, JoAnne Robitaille, Montreal, Eric (Barbara), Halifax, Elizabeth, Halifax, Alexandra (Andy MacLean), Halifax, Simon and Stephen, Montreal, Alex, Bridgewater and Jessica and Benjamin Deveau, Cheticamp; great-grandchildren, Catherine and Arianne Gagne, Montreal and William MacRae, Halifax.
He was predeceased by his parents, K.P and Bessie (MacLeod) MacRae; sisters, Mary, Ida, Sarah and Edna; brothers, Jack, Gordon, William and Eric; his beloved wife of 48 years, Ann (Hickey) and his son, Bill.
As per his wishes, cremation has taken place and there will be no visitation. Funeral service will be held at United Heritage Church on Friday, October 19th at 11 a.m., with Rev. Rosemary Godin officiating. Reception to follow at the Ashby Legion. Interment will take place at Asby Bay United Church Cemetery on Saturday, October 20, 2018 at 1 p.m. For those who wish, memorials may be made to any of the organizations Rory supported.
Words of comfort can be sent to the family at www.sydneymemorialchapel.ca or e-mail sydneymemorialchapel@ns.sympatico.ca.
