Lawrence Daniel MacInnis

Pops was born and raised in Creignish Rear, Cape Breton. He was proud of his home. If you ever said he was from Creignish he was quick to correct and tell you it was Creighnish Rear. He let you know he was from the mountain and it was hard getting up and down it.

As a young man Pops met his future wife, Lola, nee Sawyer. He left Cape Breton with Lola and her siblings in the hopes of making big money picking tobacco. Lawrence and Lola returned to Nova Scotia where he took a job with the CNR, leaving her siblings behind in Ontario. Pops didn’t particularly enjoy the shunting in the railyards in Halifax or the trips to Montreal that took him away from his young growing family. This led to a change in occupations.

Pops found work at the Picadilly Tavern which he very much enjoyed and remained employed with them until their closing. Following the Picadilly he spent time working at a few other restaurants/bars such as Hogies and the Flamingo till he found his much loved job at the Lion’s Head.

When Dad wasn’t working, he found joy in socializing, making friends quite easily. He took his family on many trips to Smiley’s campground, PEI, New Brunswick and visiting their families in Cape Breton. Around his home there was always company. Pops enjoyed the many gatherings around his pool table, out on his deck or in the kitchen. Having a large family meant the gatherings were always large and boisterous.

Lawrence and Lola purchased a small three bedroom, one bath home for them and their seven children. This led to Pops becoming an avid DIYer and jack-of-all-trades out of necessity. Dad never completed high school, but his social skills helped him acquire advice from patrons and co-workers at the “Pic”. He also had a good pool of helpers in his children. He dug the hole for his basement, did the carpentry and electrical himself and created a bedroom, bathroom and rec room for that future pool table.

Through dad’s life he was always busy after work hours, fixing broken window (sorry dad!) ripped tents, torn screens or tinkering on the many old cars that were being purchased by us kids as we began driving.

When Pops wasn’t tinkering or repairing, he enjoyed attending to his gardens and landscaping which he took great pride in. He loved his flower beds and rose bushes but always had time to sit and enjoy a beer with company on the back deck in the beautiful environment he created.

Dad retired from the Lion’s Head in his 60’s and took a job at Casino taxi which he loved and continued driving cab into his early 80’s.

He is predeceased by his parents and all 12 of his siblings. He is survived by his wife Lola, 7 children, many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

If you drop by the house and the lights flicker, it may be dad’s DIY electrical, or it may be him saying “Come in, get a beer. The cold ones are on the bottom.”

Cheers Dad, we’ll definitely miss you.