Our dear Dad will be sadly missed by all those who knew and loved him, but he will never be forgotten. He passed, at the age of 83, in the comfort of his home on Tuesday, November 3rd 2020, surrounded by his son, daughter and faithful cat, Cookie.
Elmer is survived by his children, David (Dawn) MacGillivary, Ottawa, ON and Corrine MacGillivary, Sydney, NS; stepdaughter, Dolna McNeil (Tony Silva), Campbell River, BC; siblings, Charlotte Helmer, Ottawa, ON, Sheila Langley (Junior), Port Hawkesbury, NS and Lorna Hedley MacGillivary, Barrie, ON; stepsister, Janet Foxe (Charles), Prospect, NS; and by his grandchildren, Aundy, Matthew, Adam, Jessica, Taylor and Jackson. He will also be missed by his great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces and nephews, as well as his close friends, Gordon Anderson and Sydney Walke.
Elmer was predeceased by his parents, George MacGillivary and Charlotte Williams (Severance); stepson, Richard McNeil; mother of his children, Roberta MacGillivary (Shepard); partner, Linda MacKeigan; and his sister, Gloria Crossey.
Well-known for his impeccable work ethic, Elmer started early by forging a document to get a job working underground at the Sterling Mine when he was underage at 17. This was followed by jobs working for local fishermen, becoming an auto mechanic and then going on to become a Service Manager for all GM dealerships in the Atlantic Provinces. He served as both a Counsellor and as County Warden of Richmond County and eventually succeeded in getting to pursue his true passion by becoming a lobster fisherman out of his home in Fourchu, Richmond County. Some of his other noteworthy passions were his unwavering commitment to his Toronto Maple Leafs …even when they were not doing so well, he also liked to hit the ice himself at every opportunity, he loved using his Kubota tractor to mow or snowblow as often as possible and his daily storytelling/chat sessions with his close friends over their Timmies. Dad was often described as a charmer, and he definitely had a gift for making every conversation leaving you feeling like you knew him forever and you were the only person in the room.
Special thanks to all the health care professionals at the Cape Breton Oncology Department, Palliative Care Services, VON, Continuing Care, Dr. Cohen and Dr. Richler, and the many nurses and doctors that helped care for him at both the Cape Breton Regional Hospital in Sydney and the QEII in Halifax.
There will be no visitation. Funeral service will be held at the United Protestant Church of Sydney River on Monday, November 9 at 11 a.m., with Rev. Dana Feltmate officiating Interment will take place at a later date.
Donations in Elmer’s memory may be made to the United Protestant Church of Sydney River, VON, Hospice Palliative Care Society of Cape Breton County or the SPCA.
Words of comfort can be sent to the family at www.sydneymemorialchapel.ca or e-mail sydneymemorialchapel@ns.sympatico.ca
“Hold fast, be strong and banish fear,
Look up, behold the harbour near;
A cry of joy from yonder strand,
Where loved ones wait to clasp thy hand”
By Fanny Crosby
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Elmer Arthur MacGillivary 2020..
Death notice for the town of: Sydney, Province: Nova Scotia