Alexander R. Sutherland

Alexander Robert Sutherland Sr., 99, of Port Hood, passed away on December 29, 2011 in the Inverness Consolidated Memorial Hospital after a brief illness. Born in Colindale on September 17, 1912, he was the son of the late Jim and Mary (MacDonald) Sutherland. He worked as a teacher, a miner, a fisherman, and was employed by the Pictou Shipyards during WWII. After the war he was employed with the Dominion Bridge Company and worked on the Angus L. MacDonald Bridge in Halifax. He was an ironworker with CN as part of the Bridge and Building Gang, retiring in 1977.In 1937, Alex married Elizabeth MacDonald (Lewis Donald Ronald), who predeceased him in 2005 after 67 years of marriage. Together they raised a family of twelve. Family gatherings were very important to Alex, the last being his recent 99th birthday which he celebrated at the Clove Hitch Restaurant in Port Hood. (His obituary photo is from that gathering).Alex was known for his brilliant memory and sharp wit, and loved to regale his grandchildren with stories of growing up in his beloved Colindale and traveling to dances by horse and wagon. He was a big fan of hockey and baseball, especially the Toronto Maple Leafs and Blue Jays, and was always up to date on team statistics. He shared a love of harness racing with his late wife Elizabeth, and they were regulars at the Inverness Raceway for many years.Alex is survived by his 10 sons: Charlie (Merebeth), Bowmanville, Ont., Barry (Mary), Port Hawkesbury, Ludy (Selina), St. Mary’s Ont., Jimmy (Brenda), Alex (Mary), Duncan (Bonnie), Francis (Charlene), Johnny, Peter (Sandra) and Eldon (Darlene), all of Port Hood, and 2 daughters: Sandra (Donald) MacDonald, Port Hood, and Betty Anne (Doug) Cameron, Inverness. Alex also leaves 38 grandchildren, 60 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Catherine Cressman, Ottawa, and brother Frank (Edna) of Inverness, with whom he spent many an afternoon reminiscing, as well as sister-in-law Phonsie Sutherland, Halifax. Alex also leaves numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews, as well as Patsy Walsh and Theresa MacLellan. Alex was predeceased by his wife, Elizabeth, brothers Collie and Johnny, sister Helen Lawrence, and great-grandsons Cory and Alex MacDonald. Alex’s family would like to thank all the people who welcomed him on his weekly inspections of Murphy’s Pond and the racetrack. They are also grateful to the Home Care workers for their support and friendly visits. Alex’s Catholic faith was very important to him, and his family would like to thank the Eucharistic Ministers, especially neighbour Barbara MacLellan, who brought him communion faithfully every Saturday for many years. The family would also like to thank the staff of the Inverness Consolidated Memorial Hospital, particularly Drs. Bernie MacLean and Ray Lok for their care and compassion. At this time the family would like to say a heartfelt thank you to our youngest brother Eldon and his wife Darlene for coming to live with Mom and Dad 14 years ago, enabling them to live out their lives in their own home. Mom and Dad were especially close to Eldon’s grandchildren, Drew, Taylor and Maeve. Visitation will be held at the Port Hood Resting Place on Sunday, January 1, from 2 to 9 pm Funeral mass will be held on Monday, January 2, at 2 pm in St. Peter’s Church, Port Hood, with Father Vincent van Zutphen officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Central Inverness Palliative Care Society or the Port Hood Resting Place.

On-line condolences may be made at www.invernessfuneralhome.com.