Hugh \'Doug\' MacGillivray
Born In: New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, Canada
Passed in: SYDNEY, Nova Scotia, Canada
Passed on: April 21st, 2009
It is with sadness, that we, the family, announce the passing of Hugh Douglas MacGillivray, Tuesday, April 21, 2009, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney.
Doug grew up in New Glasgow and at 18 years of age enlisted in the RCN in 1944. He trained in Quebec and was assigned to the Haligonian in active service as a communications operator and eventually to the Algonquin sailing with the British fleet in the Mediterranean.
In 1946, he reinlisted with the Royal Canadian Air Force for a five-year term where he had many posts including Whitehorse, Yukon and Goosebay. He was released in 1951 as a leading aircraftman and returned to New Glasgow where he was hired by CPR Telecommunications as a telegraph operator and was eventually offered a position in Sydney.
Here he met his wife to be, Lillian Yates McMullin whose first husband, John, was killed in an accident at the Sydney Steel Plant in 1948. He took on the role of helping her raise her two young children.
After five years with CPR, he took a job at the Cape Breton Post where he worked as a typesetter-perforator operator in the days of hot metal type. In 1967, he took a job with the Windsor Star, Windsor Ont., and then with the Peterborough Examiner. He returned to the Cape Breton Post in 1970 and remained there until retirement.
In retirement Doug was involved with much volunteer work including Loaves & Fishes, the SPCA and the Help Line.
He also keep busy with crafts such as stained glass and taught the stained glass course at the Cape Breton School of Crafts. He also loved the horse races and went as often as he could.
He was predeceased by his parents, Hugh Daniel and Loretta May (Harty) MacGillivray, New Glasgow, N.S., his wife of 53 years, Lillian in 2005, her parents, Harry and Rhoda Yates, Glace Bay, stepdaughter, Derryl, a brother, Arthur, sisters, Ruth and Margaret.
He is survived by stepsons, Bill (Nancy) MacGillivray, Dartmouth, and Jeff MacGillivray, Inverness; sister, Joyce (Weldon) Murray, Trenton N.S.; sisters, Jean (Clayton) MacLeod, Truro, Ann Duggan, Westville, Mary Lou (Barry), Antigonish, Connie (Alan) Fulton, Stellarton, Rita Lealitt, New Castle, Ont., Vera Crockett, Nepean, Ont.; granddaughters, Katherine MacGillivray, Dartmouth, Cassie; grandson, Aaron, P.E.I.; and many nieces and nephews.
There will be no visitation. A legion service will take place at 2 p.m., Friday, April 24 in the S.W. Chant and Son Funeral Home Chapel, 564 Alexandra St., Sydney. Doug will be buried in Forest Haven Memorial Gardens, Sydney-Glace Bay Highway, with his wife. Cremation under the care and direction of S.W. Chant and Son Funeral Home.
Family flowers only, donations to one’s choice, school of crafts, SPCA, Holy Redeemer & Trinity Church, Help Line or the VON.
Many thanks to the doctors, nurses and staff at the CBRH and QE II for all their efforts.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.chantfuneralhome.com.
