William Francis Kyte

Sydney

It is with immense sadness that we announce the passing of William (Bill) Francis Kyte. Bill passed away suddenly at home on March 6, 2019. Born in Sydney on June 24, 1945, he was the son of the late John and Peggy Kyte of Grand Lake Road.

Bill was a teacher at Reserve District High School and then Riverview High School and loved teaching history. He particularly enjoyed showing movies such as The Great Escape to his class. Bill was an avid outdoorsman and loved Victoria County. He spoke lovingly of the North Asby River and fished its waters every year for half a century.

He was also a life-long cross-country skier and kayaker. His favorite trail to ski was the Clyburn Valley in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park. His favourite place to kayak was the Bras D’or Lakes. Bill loved kayaking with his son, Darrell, from Grass Cove to Maskill’s Harbour. They managed to finish the trip in the moonlight a few times.

Bill was passionate about politics and community service, proudly serving as a councillor in the County of Cape Breton and the Cape Breton Regional Municipality from 1982 until 1997 with membership on many committees, including the Joint Expenditure Board, Public Works and the Water Commission. Bill was also a long-time member of the Grand Lake Road Volunteer Fire Department and served as president of St. Augustine’s Parish Council for many years. Bill’s true passion, however, was flying. He proudly obtained his private pilot’s license and was able to fly for many years. This was a lifelong dream come true. He would often walk around Sydney Airport just to see planes take off and land. He loved to walk every day. Bill and his daughter Darlene would ‘walk and talk crazy’ together every day they were able since their first daily walk in 1993.

Bill had a deeply philosophical connection to spiritual understanding and was a regular practitioner of reiki and qigong. He was given a banjo for his sixtieth birthday and took lessons for years. Darlene loved when he played Blackberry Blossom for her. Recently, Bill took up guitar playing and Darlene would dance and Josie would laugh when he played.

Bill was a voracious reader consuming many books each week. He instilled in his children a passion for reading and loved introducing others to his favourite books such as All the Kings Men and the Significance of the Frontier in American History. He was able to take Gaelic lessons with the love of his life; his late wife and ‘constant collaborator’, Josie Kyte. Together they learned to speak a language that was important to both of them. Bill lost Josie just four months ago and this loss was devastating for him.

Bill is survived by daughter Darlene, and son Darrell (Sarah Drodge), sister Florence (Adrian) Dixon, brothers Harold (Colleen) Kyte and Kevin (Lynn) Kyte, sisters-in-law Jean Petrie and Rachel (Kenny) Bourget, brothers-in-law Tony Petrie and Clarence (Wilma) MacDonald. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews including Jean (Alan) Stanwick, Janice (Mike Lane) MacDonald, Laura (Dave) Currie, Christopher Petrie, Kelly Bourget, Shane (Kim) and Devon Dixon, Cherie and Shelly Kyte, Susan (Josh) Chan, and Andrew (Robyn) and Jeffery Kyte, as well as many grand nephews and nieces. Besides his parents he is predeceased by his wife Josie Kyte, his son John William, nephew Shaun Bourget, sister-in-law Sally MacDonald and Agnes Nash (CND). Bill was taken too early and will be forever missed.

Cremation has taken place. Funeral mass will take place Wednesday, March 13 at 2 pm at St. Theresa’s Church with Fathers Lamey and MacDow officiating. A reception to follow at the church hall.

Donations may be made to charity of choice. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.twcurry.com