Roderick MacKenzie « Rory »
MacRae
Sugarloaf/Sydney
Rory passed away Thursday, October 11, 2018, at home in
Sydney after a lengthy illness.
He was born in Sugarloaf, Cape Breton on March 19,
1927.
Rory left Sugarloaf at the age of 16 to sign on to a merchant
ship in Halifax. He sailed on several of the Canadian « Park
Ships », as well as an American Liberty ship during his service in
the Merchant Navy, including throughout World War II. He retired from
the sailor’s life in 1946, returning to Sugarloaf, where he
worked for National Gypsum in Dingwall, following which he moved to
Montreal in 1949 and worked for Dominion Engineering. In 1952, he
returned to Cape Breton, settled in Sydney and began his career in the
local automotive industry. Due to failing eyesight, he retired from
Clark Tire in 1982. Rory was very active as a volunteer during his
retirement and supported many causes which had been important to him
and his family over the years. He was a life member of the Royal
Canadian Legion, Branch 138, Ashby, the Cape Breton Naval Veterans,
Sydney Lions Club, CNIB and CCB and he was a common sight around
Sydney every year on the Salvation Army Kettle
campaign.
Rory is survived by his sister, Anne MacLean; daughters,
Sheila and Sharon, Sydney and Diana Deveau (Daniel Chiasson),
Cheticamp; daughter-in-law, Manon Avon, Montreal; sons, Ken (Martha),
River Ryan, Roddie (Carol), Queensland Beach and Gordon James (Raghav
Baliga), London, England; grandchildren, JoAnne Robitaille, Montreal,
Eric (Barbara), Halifax, Elizabeth, Halifax, Alexandra (Andy MacLean),
Halifax, Simon and Stephen, Montreal, Alex, Bridgewater and Jessica
and Benjamin Deveau, Cheticamp; great-grandchildren, Catherine and
Arianne Gagne, Montreal and William MacRae, Halifax.
He was predeceased by his parents, K.P and Bessie (MacLeod)
MacRae; sisters, Mary, Ida, Sarah and Edna; brothers, Jack, Gordon,
William and Eric; his beloved wife of 48 years, Ann (Hickey) and his
son, Bill.
As per his wishes, cremation has taken place and there will
be no visitation. Funeral service will be held at United Heritage
Church on Friday, October 19th at 11 a.m., with Rev.
Rosemary Godin officiating. Reception to follow at the Ashby Legion.
Interment will take place at Asby Bay United Church Cemetery on
Saturday, October 20th at 1 p.m.
For those who wish, memorials may be made to any of the
organizations Rory supported.
Words of comfort can be sent to the family at www.sydneymemorialchapel.ca
or e-mail sydneymemorialchapel@ns.sympatico.ca
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Roderick Rory MacRae 19272018..
Décès pour la Ville: Sydney, Province: Nova Scotia
