Alfred Joseph 'Oskie' MacLean
Date de décès : 8 mars 2013
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Alfred Joseph ‘Oskie’ MacLean of Atlantic Drive, Reserve Mines.
Alfred passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family at the Glace Bay Hospital on Friday, March 8, 2013.
Born in Reserve Mines, he was the son of the late Ronald and Flora (McMullin) MacLean.
Oskie, as he was affectionately known to his fellow miners, worked in the numbers 18, 20, 26, Lingan and Point Aconi collieries until his retirement.
Alfred enjoyed sitting on his front step playing his music. Many people would say “I drove by the house today and saw your father playing his guitar”. He loved his music and told many stories about growing up, playing at different events and all the people he would meet. Even in his final moments, he lay in his bed singing “Dancing with my darling to the Tennessee Waltz”. We can only believe he was dancing with the love of his life, our mother, Isabel.
Alfred enjoyed many Saturday nights with his daughters playing cards. Many jokes and stories were told during these evenings together and fun was always had. This is what Alfred was doing the last night he was home in his house. He also enjoyed going to the car races and watching his sons compete. He was always so proud when they did well.
Alfred was blessed with seven daughters who were always at his beck and call — Donalda, Pauline (Robert Smith), Irene (Joe Hennessey), Dena, at home, Flora (Brian LeBlanc), Freda (Denis Hearn), Leona (Leonard Sidney), Alberta; he was also blessed with five sons, Ray (Rose), Thunder Bay, Chuck, Eddie, Jamie, at home, Scott (Margaret), Glace Bay. Alfred was known as Poppy to his 24 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. He also leaves to mourn three sisters, Dolena Pittman, Margie McNeil, Wilema Gergory; also many nieces and nephews who were all so special to him.
Alfred was predeceased by the love of his life, the former Isabel MacNeil, infant son, Daniel Edward, brothers, Phillip, Michael, Peter, Ally, John, James, Cecil, Joseph, sisters, Flora Ann, Mary Ellen.
Visitation will be held Monday from 7-9 p.m. and Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. in the V. J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 16 Reserve St., Glace Bay. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered Wednesday at 11 a.m. in St. Joseph’s Church with Fr. Daniel Boudreau officiating. Burial in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, MacLeod’s Road. A reception will immediately follow the burial at the parish hall.
The family would like to extend their thanks to Dr. Ley, Ann and Lynn, Dr. Kevin McNeil and the nursing staff of both the 3rd floor and the outpatients department at the Glace Bay General Hospital — we will never forget how well you treated our father.
Memorial donations may be made in Alfred’s name to the ALS Society of Nova Scotia or the Nova Scotia Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Online expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to Oskie’s family by visiting www.vjmcgillivray.ca.
