Obituary
Gordon John MacLeod
North Sydney
After a two-year struggle with heart issues, Gordon John MacLeod, aged 87, passed away on the evening of Thursday Jan 27th, 2022, with his daughter Ellen and grandsons Wayne and Matthew Scott by his side at the Northside General Hospital.
He was born at home on the farm in West Bay Road, Cape Breton, on February 3, 1934. Gordon was the son of the late John and Margaret (Wright) MacLeod. The family later moved to Dutch Brook and later then to the Ashby Area in Sydney, N.S.
Gordon started to work with CN at the age of fifteen, shoveling snow off the tracks in Sydney. After a number of clerk jobs (car checker, etc) he became a stevedore foreman at the wharf in North Sydney. He later became an operations supervisor and finally finished his career at Marine Atlantic as Terminal Manager in North Sydney.
He served as regional councilor for North Sydney (district 2) with the Cape Breton Regional Municipality. He served three terms including time as Deputy Mayor and Chairman of the Police Commission. His work for the community lead to the establishment of a library and museum in downtown North Sydney and the Emera Center Arena.
He was predeceased by his wife of 49 years, Marion (Taylor) and son in law Wayne Scott. He is survived by wife Dorothy (MacSween) and stepdaughter Nancy. He is survived by daughter Ellen Scott and grandsons Wayne (Courtney) and Matthew. He is also survived by son Gordon and wife Rosalie and granddaughters Heather Guptill (Dan) Grand Manan, NB, Sarah Hamming (Daniel) PEI, and grandson Joshua MacLeod, Grand Manan. He is also survived by great grandson Isaac McGurie, great granddaughters Adia, Miriam, and Liv Guptill, by his sister Pearl Campbell, brother Jim MacLeod and sister-in-law Caroline MacLeod.
He was also predeceased by sisters Elizabeth (Betty), Eleanor, brother Kenny and niece Marie MacLeod.
Gordon enjoyed trips to Montreal and Boston for hockey games with his son, grandsons, and others; he loved trips to the beach in the summer, brook fishing for trout in Middle River, gardening at both Moulton Avenue and Meech Avenue and wood working in his basement on Moulton Avenue.
His backyard rinks on Moulton Avenue saw many kids from the neighborhood skate and play hockey. He refereed and coached hockey in the Northside Minor Hockey Association, including a bantam team that won a maritime title. In later years he became the President of Minor Hockey Association. His love for fiddle music led him to take fiddle lessons and to establish « Dockside Ceilidh » at Marine Atlantic. He was known as ‘Fiddler’.
In his last two years Gordon’s favorite thing was to sit out in the front yard on Meech Avenue waving to all that went by.
Special mention of « Family Add Ons », Mabel Ivey; Mikey Vickers; Paul Cogan; Andy Currie; Bobby MacDonald; and Craig Musgrave.
The family would like to thank the compassionate care of 5-E nursing staff at the Northside General Hospital. Special thanks to Dr. Peter Poulos for his longtime care for Gordon.
« Words are not enough » thanks to grandson Matthew Scott who lived with Gordon the last two years and provided excellent, loving care – above and beyond the call – for his grandfather.
A funeral service for Gordon will be held 2 p.m. Thursday at St. Giles Presbyterian Church with Pastor Ritchie Robinson officiating. All Covid-19 health protocols will be strictly followed: limited seating in the church, proof of vaccinations, photo ID, wearing of masks, and social distancing will all be required. The service will be live-streamed on the W.J. Dooley Facebook page. Donations may be made to the North Sydney Food Bank. Online condolences to the family may be posted on the tribute wall connected to the obituary at www.wjdooley.com .
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February 3 1934 January 27 2022 (age 87)
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Gordon John MacLeod February 3 1934 January 27 2022 (age 87)..
Décès pour la Ville: North-Sydney, Province: Nova Scotia