William Claude (Billy) Critchley
Millville / Sydney Mines
It is with great sadness that we announce the loss of a loving son, brother and uncle, Billy Critchley, 61, who passed away at home on Friday, November 20, 2020.
Born and raised in Sydney Mines, Billy was the son of Helen (Bragg) Critchley and the late Eldon Critchley. After completing High School, Billy worked for a number of years for the British Canadian Co-op Store in Sydney Mines before going on to attend Marine School in Halifax in order to earn his marine engineering papers. Following this, Billy worked for a number of years with Husky Oil as a marine engineer in the Beaufort Sea and the Black Sea. With the desire to work and live at home in Cape Breton deep in Billy’s heart, he worked with Marine Atlantic for over thirty years as Chief Engineer on the Leif Erikson. Billy very much loved his work as an engineer and he especially loved his fellow crew members aboard the Leif Erikson and the many friends he sailed with along the way. Throughout his life, Billy liked to spend time fishing and relaxing at his cabin in Middle River, Cape Breton. He often said that Middle River was the place where he always felt complete happiness and he made many friends there as well. Billy thoroughly enjoyed the many hours he spent with his life-long friend Earl (Cha) Stewart of Sydney Mines and his close friend Mike Johnson of Sydney, NS, going out for wings, watching hockey games, both locally and across Canada and going for drives around the local area as well as across Canada driving adventures.
Billy is survived by his mother, Helen, North Sydney; sisters, Carol Ann Critchley Sydney, Kim (Kevin Teather) Critchley, Prince Edward Island, and Joan (B.J.) Fiset, Dartmouth, brother, Stuart (Mary) Critchley, George’s River, NS; nieces, Kate Robertson, and Laura Fiset; and nephews, Evan (Julie) Critchley, Paul (Lesley) Bonnar, Kyle Robertson, Colin (Danielle) Bonnar, and Michael Fiset. Billy is also survived by his cousins Isabel and Rhonda MacKenzie, Coxheath, his uncles Bob and Don Bragg, Quelph, Ontario, and many other cousins spread across the country. Billy was highly respected by his nieces and nephews for it seemed he could do anything he put his hand to.
Billy was predeceased by his father, Eldon Rogerson Critchley.
Cremation has taken place. There will be no visitation or funeral service. A graveside service will be held in the spring. Donations in his memory may be made to the Northside Community Guest Home. Words of comfort may be forwarded to his family at www.jmjobesfuneralhome.com
2020
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Billy Critchley 2020..
Décès pour la Ville: Sydney-Mines, Province: Nova Scotia