William Fraser MacAulay
Lieu de naissance : Port Morien
Date de naissance : 18 mai 1923
Lieu de décès : Glace Bay
Date de décès : 24 janvier 2016
William Fraser MacAulay passed away peacefully on Jan. 24, 2016 at Taigh Na Mara, Glace Bay, where he had resided the past year.
Born in Port Morien on May 18, 1923, he was the son of Malcolm and Julia (Youden) MacAulay.
He is survived by son, Neil (Debbie), Port Morien; grandchildren, Daniel (Natalia Samulina), Aberdeen, Scotland, Alison (Ian Morrison), Riverview, N.B.; great-grandchildren, Victoria, Sofia, and Charlotte. Willie is also survived by his sister-in-law, Lorna (Campbell) MacDonald, Katherine and Marion MacDonald, who Willie thought of like daughters, and several nieces and nephews.
Willie was predeceased by his childhood sweetheart, Annie (Campbell) MacAulay in 2004 after 50 years of marriage; his sister, Sadie MacLeod; brothers, John, Archie and Ralph.
Willie started to work for Dominion Coal Company in 1940 at No. 11 colliery retiring in 1987 after 47 years of service. He was a veteran of the Second World War. In 1943 he joined the Navy and drafted to H.M.C.S. Baddeck (K-147), taking part in convoy escorts in the North Atlantic and English Channel. He was part of the invasion force on D-Day at Juno Beach on June 6, 1944. After the invasion, he remained stationed in the English Channel with patrols to the coast of France, the Mediterranean Sea, and to ports of Holland in its liberation. In 2014 he was awarded with the title of ‘Knight’ in the French Order of the Legion of Honour, the highest civil decoration France awards to foreigners.
Willie was a lifetime member of the Royal Canadian Legion (Branch 55) and a proud member of Cape Breton Naval Association. He took great pride in attending the annual review of the K147 Baddeck Royal Canadian Sea Cadets and in 2010, he was honoured to be their reviewing officer. He attended St. John’s United Church, Port Morien and was previously involved in the Boy Scouts serving as Venturer advisor. Willie liked to fish, bowl and was a lifetime fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Willie will be remembered for his kind nature, quiet sense of humor, and pride to be a Naval veteran. He spoke little of his experiences during the war, aside from the good times, which is a testament of how he lived his life, seeing the good in people.
To all the staff and volunteers at Taigh Na Mara who provided compassionate and exemplary care over the past year and Dr.Jamie MacLean, the family are truly thankful.
Thank you to everyone who provided assistance to Willie in recent years.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Patten Funeral Home, Glace Bay.
Visitation will take place on Friday, Jan. 29,2016 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. in Patten Funeral Home with Cape Breton Naval Association service at 3 p.m. Funeral service will be on Saturday, Jan. 30th at 11 a.m. in Patten Funeral Home Chapel.
Donations may be made to the St. John’s United Church - Black Brook Cemetery Fund or a charity of one’s choice.
