John \'Allie\' MacCormick
Born In: New Waterford, Nova Scotia, Canada
Born: January 2nd, 1952
Passed in: Lingan, Nova Scotia, Canada
Passed on: September 3rd, 2009
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our husband and father, John Alloysius ‘Allie’ MacCormick, on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2009, at the New Waterford Consolidated Hospital, with his family at his side.
Allie was born in New Waterford, N.S., on Jan. 2, 1952. The love of his life was his wife, Frances and their daughter, Linda Coreen. That love was extended to his mother, Olive; mother-in-law, Rose, and the rest of his family.
Allie always supported Frances in everything she wanted to do and would jump through hoops to help her accomplish what she wanted. Whatever Linda needed, Allie would be sure to provide. He always had the delicate touch when it came to his little girl. Linda would very easily turn this six-foot plus man into puddy. All she had to do was bat her baby blues or do the little girl pout and she would have him eating out of the palm of her hands.
He was a member of St. Michael’s parish, a former member of the Scotchtown Volunteer Fire Department and the New Waterford Army, Navy, Airforce.
Allie worked in the Lingan coal mine as a shear mechanic, and was a well respected heavy equipment mechanic, both in his community and all over Cape Breton. After that he was a lobster fisherman and thoroughly enjoyed fishing with his buddies Vincie Leudey and Ralph Head. He was well liked and respected among the fishermen in the Lingan community and was always willing to lend a helping hand. If you were to see a broken boat, you would be sure to find Allie helping to fix it. Until his sickness stopped him, you would be sure to find Allie at the wharf if he wasn’t at home.
Allie loved animals and the outdoors and would walk for miles, especially with his dog ‘Lucky’. He also loved to tinker with anything that had a motor. Many people would bring their lawn mowers and cars to Allie and he would either fix them or tell them how to fix it. Allie loved making little crafts. He was always very resourceful and imaginative. Allie loved playing darts at the Lingan Community Hall and listening to Don Messer’s fiddle music. He also enjoyed sitting outside his reck room on the deck during hot summer days, enjoying a beer and listening to his other favourite music, songs such as Louie Armstrong’s ‘What a Wonderful World’; Tom T. Hall’s and Don Williams’ ‘Watermelon Wine’; and his favorite … Jim Croce’s ‘Bad Bad Leroy Brown’.
He is survived by his wife, Frances (Henry); a daughter, Linda Coreen, Lingan, ‘his pride and joy’; his mother, Olive (O’Handley); and brothers, Stevie (Valerie), Kevin (Sheila), Raymond (Kim), Bobby (Linda), all of River Ryan, Blaise (Lorelei) Scotchtown, and Joe (Laurie), Halifax; sisters, Velma (Jordan) Walsh, B.C., Bev (Alvin) O’Brien, Ottawa, Roselyn MacCormick, River Ryan; several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his father, John and by brother, Brian and two brothers in infancy.
There will be no visitation by request of the family. Cremation has taken place. Funeral mass will be celebrated by Fr. Doug MacDonald at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009, at the Parish Church of Saint Leonard with burial at Saint Michael’s Cemetery, River Ryan. A reception will follow at Lingan Community Hall.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to V. J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 380 Smith St., New Waterford, N.S.
Donations in his memory may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or a charity of one’s choice.
Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.vjmcgillivray.ca.
