SERGEANT NEIL "JEROME" GILLIS
Lieu de naissance : MARGAREE
Date de naissance : 4 septembre 1927
Lieu de décès : SYDNEY
Date de décès : 9 décembre 2016
We, the family, announce with saddened hearts that Sergeant Neil “Jerome” Gillis (Retired) of South West Margaree formerly of Glace Bay and lately of Port Hood passed away peacefully into eternal rest on the morning of December 9, 2016 at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney, NS.
Born Neil Jerome Gillis in SW Margaree on September 4, 1927, Jerome was the son of John Alex Dan and Jessie Margaret nee MacDonald. Upon leaving SW Margaree, Jerome was employed for 11 years with the Dominion Coal Company, spent one year in the uranium mines in Elliot Lake, Ontario, as a security guard and 18 months at Syl Phalen’s Bakery as a route salesman. In 1962, Jerome embarked on a law enforcement career and joined the Glace Bay Police Department for over a 30-year span in uniform. Jerome was involved in many aspects of police detail. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 1975. Jerome worked under five different police chiefs retiring on December 31, 1992.
At the time of his passing, Jerome was survived by his wife of 17 years, Barbara Cameron; sons, Sarto (Marisa), Ontario, Anthony (Allison), Ontario, Francis (Roberta), and Vincent (Beth), both of Glace Bay; grandchildren, Matthew, Jessica, Dani, Mara, and Milena; step-children, Rodger and Kelly; step-grandchildren, Brett, Hilary, Reid and Austin. Surviving members of his immediate family are sisters, Annabelle, New Jersey, Kay, South Carolina and brothers, Ronald (Helen), Ontario, Douglas, Detroit, and Archy, Ontario; sister-in-law, Margaret, Ontario; brothers-in-law, Del, Ontario and Wallace, Port Hawkesbury and many nieces and nephews. Jerome was predeceased by his parents and siblings, Jim, Windsor, Peggy, Markham, and Mary, Port Hawkesbury, as well as first wife, Bruna, and companion, Carol Dezagiacomo.
Following retirement Jerome returned to the family farm in SW Margaree, where he was always busy on the property he took such pride in maintaining. It was also the place where he spent his last healthy day (November 13, 2016) working to get things ready for the winter.
Jerome loved to go to the square dances and was never one to sit out on a set. He was also a great cribbage player. For the last 15 years, Jerome and Barb spent their winters in Florida. Above all, Jerome loved spending time with his family and friends.
Upon moving to Port Hood, Jerome became involved with the Knights of Colombus and served as Eucharistic minister. Jerome was always a devout Catholic and was a devoted friend and caregiver to the late Donald “Constant” MacDonald. With the creation of the Cape Breton Regional Police Retirement Association in 2007, Jerome became an active participant.
Jerome was always entertaining with so many stories that he would never put to print for fear of the repercussions from those involved. They were great stories.
A celebration of Jerome’s life will take place at St. Joseph’s parish in SW Margaree with the visitation on Tuesday, December 13 from 3-8 p.m.
Funeral mass will be in the parish on Wednesday, December 14 at 11 a.m. under the direction of the Sunset Funeral Home of Margaree Valley. Internment will be at St. Joseph’s cemetery under the direction of Father MacDow. Following the service, a reception will be held at the parish hall.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Parish Cemetery Fund or a charity of one’s choice.
Online condolences may be sent to family by visiting sunsetfuneralco.op@gmail.com.
