Colin Bernard Gillis
Born In: Port Hood
Born: July 16th, 1916
Passed in: New Waterford
Passed on: October 23rd, 2014
We the family of Colin Bernard Gillis, mourn the loss of a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, uncle, cousin and friend. Colin passed away peacefully with his loving family by his side at the New Waterford Consolidated Hospital, on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2014.
Born in Port Hood, July 16, 1916, he was the son of the late Angus John Y. and Annie (McInnis) Gillis and was the last surviving member of his immediate family.
Colin was a longtime member of St. Michael’s Church in River Ryan and more recently a member of St. Leonard’s Church, New Waterford. He was also a very proud veteran, serving for our country during the Second World War. Following the war, he worked the next 35 years in the mines at collieries 18, 16 and 12. After his mining career he started installing concrete steps at his home and then for family and friends; he then became in demand for his trade and cement finishing abilities, pouring numerous cement steps in River Ryan and the New Waterford areas. In his spare time he enjoyed tending to his vegetable garden, listening to fiddle music; he was also a great story teller, who loved telling stories of his mining days and about his life growing up in the country.
Dad was a very kind and gentle man, fun loving and enjoyed being with nature. He was a loving husband to our mother Alma and he was a wonderful father to his children. In his latter years he enjoyed the time spent with his grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Colin will be sadly missed by his loving wife of 71 years, Alma Blanche (Kendall), Seaview Manor, Glace Bay; daughters, Judy Knox, Berwick, N.S., Linda (Mel) McIsaac, Valley, N.S., Colleen Gillis, River Ryan; sons, Raymond (Lorraine), Scotchtown, George (Miriam), Antigonish; son in-law Harvey Power, Dartmouth; 9 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren, special cousin Anastasia MacSween; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Besides his parents, Colin was predeceased by daughter Sharon Power, son in-law Wayne Knox, sisters, Victoria Gillis (infancy), Margaret MacKillop, Anne White, Mary Sarah MacDonald, brothers, John Malcolm, John Angus, William 'Billie', John Hector, John Hughie and Gussie.
There will be no visitation; cremation has taken place under the direction and care of V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 380 Smith St., New Waterford. The funeral mass officiated by Fr. Norman MacPhee will be celebrated 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2014, in St. Leonard’s Church, New Waterford, with interment in St. Michael’s Cemetery, River Ryan.
All are invited to join with Colin’s family for a light lunch and refreshments at St. Leonard’s Church Hall, Convent Street, New Waterford.
At this time we would like to give a very special thank you to the VON, County Homecare Workers, Palliative Care Society and the doctors and nurses at the New Waterford Consolidated Hospital, for the professional care and compassion shown to our Dad.
Memorial donations in Dad’s memory may be made to the Palliative Care Society, Seaview Manor, or a charity of choice.
Online condolences to the Gillis family may be expressed through our website www.vjmcgillivray.ca.
