With much sadness we announce that James (Jimmie) Gillis, 86, of Gillis Lake, Cape Breton, passed away peacefully in the presence of his loving family on April 14, 2023, at the Cove Guest Home in Sydney.
Born at Gillis Lake on November 22, 1936, he was the youngest child of Rannie and Annie (nee MacIntyre) Gillis. He grew up on the family farm along with 4 sisters and 2 brothers. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family.
Jimmie left home in his mid-teens in order to pick potatoes in O’Leary, PEI. This started him on a life of work and travel across Canada to Vancouver (where he loved feeding the ducks in Stanley Park), north to Dawson Creek and back to Sudbury and destinations further east. Eventually he travelled south to Massachusetts, USA, where he worked as a welder and met his first wife and future mother of his four children, Bernadette MacEachern, from Judique, Cape Breton. In 1971, he returned to the family home at Gillis Lake with his children. He raised his family and worked for many years as a welder-pipefitter on various construction jobs in Alberta, Ontario, New Brunswick and Newfoundland. He was a long-time member of UA local 682 out of Sydney. In 1989, he moved temporarily to Toronto and worked for the City of Toronto Maintenance Department. He married Josette (Gagne) Kemp in 1990 and they subsequently moved back to Gillis Lake where he spent the rest of his life. His pursuits in retirement included caring for his dogs, cats, birds and all other wildlife around Gillis Lake. He was also fond of visiting Mike at the Northside East Bay Volunteer Fire Hall.
Jimmie was a much-loved grandfather who thrilled his grandchildren with exploits involving his pickup trucks, 1977 Lincoln Continentals, 1947 Ford Farm Tractor and John Deere riding mower. He also expanded their minds and hearts with talks of his travels, love of nature and musings on the cosmos. His next-door granddaughter Katie was kept very busy with critical task of ensuring his numerous birdfeeders were filled to capacity at all times.
He leaves behind his loving children Marlene (Bryan Boothe), Danny (Karen McNeil), Donna, and Mark (Stacey), grandchildren Andrea (Ernie), Amanda, Michael (Kathryn), Rory (Amanda), Leah (Iain), Katelyn, Andrew (Momo), Hilary, Cameron, and Riley, and great grandchildren Aryn, Margaret, Hailey, Kaelen and Doreen. He is also fondly remembered by his stepsons David (Tracey) and Roger Kemp and many members of the Gagne family. He also leaves behind many loving nieces and nephews who have fond childhood memories of their Uncle Jimmie returning from travels near and afar, and grand nieces and grand nephews who enjoyed their visits to see him and swim at Gillis Falls.
Jimmie was predeceased by his loving wife Josette Gillis, his parents, his brothers Joe and Johnnie, and his sisters and their spouses, Sarah and Archie MacFarlane, Martha and Danny MacKinnon, Catherine and John MacDonald, and Theresa and Stanley Krszwda. He was also predeceased by his stepdaughter Linda Kemp.
Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life is planned for the summer of 2023 in East Bay. Details to follow when available.
The family wishes to extend a sincere thank you to the staff of the Cove Guest Home for taking good care of Jimmie over the past year and a half. If desired, donations in Jimmie’s honour may be made to the Cove Guest Home (Orchard Unit). To share memories and condolences please visit www.twcurry.com.
