Francis "Wanko" E. Tobin

It is with heavy hearts that we the family of Francis E. Tobin “Wanko” announce his peaceful passing on Monday, Oct. 31, 2016 at Northside General Hospital. Born in Sydney Mines on February 3, 1931 he was the son of the late James Pius and Sarah Belle Tobin. In his younger years, dad worked at several coal mines on the northside. Then later he was employed by Marine Atlantic for 40 plus years until his retirement in 1996.

In the late 1960’s, with his wife Isabel and their five children, they formed a band known as “The Tobin Family”. They performed for many concerts, weddings, anniversary parties, etc. with their musical talents.

Before the decrease in his mobility, Dad loved the outdoors. He enjoyed going for his daily walks “around the block”, and taking his grandkids up to the “Old Brickett Plant” for walks, sledding, to pick blueberries and to teach them how to shoot. He could be seen around the neighbourhood collecting recycle bottles. Dad also had many friends he held dear to him at the senior’s day program he attended at the Harbourview Hospital.

Francis is survived and will be missed by his children, Jimmy, Rosemary (Joe) Woods, Jerome (Shirley), Patricia and Colleen; grandchildren Jennifer (Jason), Fabian (Michelle), Ryan (Samantha), Michael, Mary Ellen (Bryan) and DJ; great grandchildren Jordan, Owen, Eli and baby boy Woods. He is also survived by his brother Bernie Tobin, sisters-in-law Patsy Taylor and Catherine Tobin as well as many nieces, nephews and extended family.

Francis is predeceased by his beloved wife Isabel (1991), brothers William “Billy” and Emerson as well as sisters Agnes, Mary, Marguerite, Martina and infant Alice.

Visitation for Francis Tobin will be held Thursday, November 3 from 2-4 and 7-9 at Fillmore and Whitman Funeral Home, 10 Clyde Avenue, Sydney Mines. Funeral Mass will be held on Friday at 10:00am at St. Joseph’s Church in North Sydney with Fr. Patrick O’Neil officiating. Interment to follow in Holy Cross Cemetery on Johnston Rd., N. Sydney. Online condolences may be forwarded to the family by visiting www.fillmoreandwhitman.com.