Obituary
Roderick Joseph MacInnis
North Sydney
With deepest sorrow for us, yet with such happiness for him, we regret to announce the passing of our beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, Roderick Joseph MacInnis, age 91, on Saturday, December 17, 2022 at the Northside General Hospital.
Born in Florence, Cape Breton on August 7, 1931 to the late Roderick Francis and Mary Florence (Hoskins) MacInnis, Dad lived his early childhood there before moving to George’s River. At the young age of 13 Dad left school and began delivering ice for Allen’s Ice House in North Sydney. He held various jobs throughout his life as he was a hardworking jack of all trades that took great pride in doing a job well. In his younger years, he, along with some of his brothers, lived and worked in Ontario. He didn’t last there and returned to his beloved Cape Breton. He went to work for Island Ford in Sydney as an autobody painter. To hear feedback from some of the customers at that time, “he was the best painter on the island.” One comment was “it looked like it just came out of the factory “. He later went to work at the Toyota Car Plant in Point Edward. He and mom also purchased a store on Prince Street in Sydney, the former Kay’s Dairy which is now Big Ben’s. When the car plant closed Dad returned to the trade school in Sydney where he took Small Engine Repair. One of his proudest moments was when he was offered a position to teach the course. Dad was a humble man and he turned it down as he felt with schooling only to grade six, he wasn’t educated enough to teach. He sure was honored to be asked though. His last place of employment was with Alison Young’s Repair in Millville from which he retired early due to injuries received in a motor vehicle accident.
On September 10, 1953 Dad married the love of his life, Katherine May Barrett. They began their journey in life together. With triumphs and tragedy, they managed not only to love one another but still be “in love” with one another after nearly 55 years of marriage. It was very rare to see one without the other and they were the most beautiful couple. To watch them dance together was amazing. They settled in Mira Road where they drew up their own house plans and Dad began building our home where their six children would begin their early years. In March 1969, they tragically lost their oldest son to a car/pedestrian accident. Not long after this tragedy we moved to George’s River where Dad built us another house on family homestead land. We lost mom in 2008. After that Dad reconnected with an old family friend and found a second chance at love. He married Marie (Taylor) Gale and they enjoyed 3 short years of love and companionship before Dad lost her to cancer. He then moved in with his daughter in North Sydney where he lived until his passing.
It is hard to capture the essence of a person on paper. Anyone that had the privilege of knowing our dad, knows he was such a wise, gentle soul. A very smart man (even with just a grade 6 education) and a true friend to many. His strong religious faith got him through many tragedies in his life. Especially recently, when he lost a son to cancer in November.
He was community minded and was a founding member of the George’s River Fire Hall and instrumental in obtaining the land where the permanent fire hall now sits. He was a union representative with CAW while employed with Toyota, and he was a life-long member of the KOC. He had a dry sense of humor that we definitely groaned at sometimes, he loved to tease and he had a smile so big it shone out of his eyes. He also had the true MacInnis stubbornness, but he didn’t believe that one. Above all, he was a family man with strong family values. His love for all of his family and extended family is a treasure we will hold in our hearts forever and he was well loved by all of us in return.
Dad was predeceased, and now happily reunited with to celebrate Christmas, by his parents Roderick & Florence (Hoskins) MacInnis; his wife our beautiful mother Kay (Barrett) MacInnis; his sons Gregory and Allen MacInnis. Allen’s wife Jane (Marcheldon) MacInnis and their son Jordan MacInnis; his second wife Marie (Taylor) Gale; his father and mother-in-law William & Hughena Barrett. He was also predeceased by brothers and sisters Emma (Lloyd) Will; Frances (Russell) Johnston; Viola (John) Dunlop ; Mary (Kenny) Cartwright; Angeline (Harry) Dunlop; John (Hazel) MacInnis; Bill (Betty) MacInnis; Elmer (Vonnie) MacInnis; Annette (Roy) Oslund; Duncan “Buddy” MacInnis. Brother-in-law Bill (Linda) Barrett and sisters-in-law Ann MacInnis and May MacInnis. Dad was also predeceased by many extended family and friends.
Left to mourn his passing are his surviving children, Roddie, Elaine, Michael (Denise) and Stephen (TaraLee). His eight grandchildren that he loved so much and was so proud of, Dannielle (Ashley) Young; Tanya (Daniel) Musgrave; Heather (Adam) Devoe; Miranda (Dave) MacInnis; Jessie (Skye) Snow; Bryce MacInnis and Samantha MacInnis. His nine great-grandchildren that had such a special place in his heart, Taylor; DJ (DanJoe); Eden; Gavin; Maddie; Hunter; Cameron; Levi and Sawyer. His great-great-grandson Oliver who he already loved and was anxiously waiting to meet but sadly was too tired for it to happen. For two short days we were a family with five generations and Oliver will grow hearing all the stories of how his great-great-grandfather was waiting on his arrival and already loved him. Dad is also survived by his brothers Tom, George’s River and Hughie and Farrell (Frances) residing in London, Ontario. His in-laws that held such a close bond they were like family to him, Kenny (Nellie) Barrett; Dianna Marie (Vince) MacDonald; Shirley (Clarence) MacPhail and Yvonne MacInnis. Dad is also survived by a close family friend Debbie Young and her children Amey, Ryan and Adam. In her early years Debbie was raised by Dad and Mom and they considered her a daughter by heart.
There will be no visitation. A funeral mass for Roderick will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 27, 2022 at St Joseph Church, North Sydney with Rev. Doug MacDonald officiating. A reception will follow at George’s River Fire Hall. Funeral arrangements are under the care and direction of W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant Street, North Sydney. Burial will take place in St. Joseph Cemetery, Bras d’Or in the spring. Online condolences may be sent to the family by leaving a message on the tribute wall of the obituary at www.wjdooley.com.
Dad did not designate a charity of choice. He and Mom both fostered a child through Good Samaritans which Dad continued until his passing. He was a strong believer in looking out for your fellow man, especially when it involved children. Whether it was monetary involvement or something as simple as changing a light bulb for someone unable to do it, that’s what he would appreciate. That is the kind of man our Dad was.
We won’t say goodbye Dad. We’ll say “see you later alligator“, “I love you” and “God bless”. We know you told us not to cry for you and we’re not. We’re crying for us because you were so deeply loved and you’re going to be so dearly missed. You were our hero.
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We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Roderick Joseph MacInnis August 7 1931 December 17 2022 91 Years Old and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
Death notice for the town of: North-Sydney, Province: Nova Scotia