Gregory “Bowser” Alvin MacRae
Boularderie
Gregory “Bowser” Alvin MacRae left his earthly body behind on Sunday, October 27, 2019, in the Northside General Hospital, with family and loved ones accompanying him in his final moments. Though our hearts are heavy with loss, we take solace in the peace he has surely found in the embrace of the Great Yonder.
Greg was an immense personality, who loomed large in the hearts of everyone he met. His was a presence that could be neither forgotten nor ignored—a richness imbued the countless intimacies of his storied life. So great was his strength of character, the Juno Award winning singer and songwriter, David Francey, wrote a song about his life called “The Ballad of Bowser MacRae”
Greg was a strong and noble husband and father, grandfather and uncle, son and brother. He was born in Bras d’Or on July 29, 1951, the son of the late Harry Sr. and Winnie MacRae. He is also predeceased by his siblings Allen, Elain, Earl, Flo and Harry Jr.
Greg is survived and dearly missed by his loving wife Donna, his children PJ, Townley (Joanie-Lynn), Russell (Krista) Neal John, Rebecca, Rachael (Stephen), and Luke, his grandchildren Rialy, Laura-Lynn, MJ, John-Luke, Aliesh, Dalen, Russell, Jack, Paige, Evan and Ethan, his devoted sisters Phyllis, Shirley, Joan, Colleen and Wanda, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He spent much of his life working on the Great Lakes, providing for his family and sacrificing much of his time and comfort for those he so dearly loved. He was known far and wide for his folk-hero-like strength, his passion for numerology and his wild and charming spirit. He truly believed in and was immensely proud of his children and he supported them all with the full weight of his heart, an attitude which he carried later into life as a grandfather. “Poppa” lived to make his grand-kids smile and laugh and there was no happier man alive when he was with them. Greg was a member of Alcoholics Anonymous for the last thirty years, during which time he inspired others with his dedication to sobriety and to sponsorship, which he pursued dutifully. Greg was a great lover of music and in recent years founded The Circle, a gathering of fellow musicians and friends at the Florence Legion. There he shared his passion for singing and guitar with others, serving as a great beacon for togetherness and joy in the community. Greg was among the most beloved performers at these weekly events, moving the hearts of countless people with his soulful voice.
Special thanks to all the amazing care-workers, nurses and doctors who helped Greg through these last difficult months while he stayed at the Sydney Regional, the Queen Elizabeth II and the Northside General.
The world has truly lost one of its brightest and most noble stars, one which shone in ways words could not convey and only hearts could know. We invite you to celebrate his memory at the Florence Legion on Friday, November 1, 2019, from 7 to 9pm. Words of comfort may be forwarded to her family at www.jmjobesfuneralhome
Jobes logo, photo
2019
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Greg MacRae 2019..
Décès pour la Ville: Sydney-Mines, Province: Nova Scotia