Archive for 2010

10 Aug

BURCHELL’S YACHT – THE ALOMA

Posted by CAPER in History, Military.

 

 

Aloma – When owned by George Burchell

Before we get too far removed from the snapper boats, sailing vessels, skiffs and boats in general that appeared in a previous post that sailed out of Bras d’Or I thought it prudent to mention a somewhat famous yacht which was well travelled and ended up being owned by a resident of Bras d’Or and then to Saint John, NB and finally to Florida. This was the Yacht Aloma owned at one time by the coal baron Dave Burchell. The Aloma was even a member of the Royal Canadian Air Force and assigned to service off the Nova Scotia and Newfoundland Coasts during WWII as the HMC HSL pennan #M580/B134 where she did coastal patrol duty looking out for and reporting on German U-Boat sightings as well as support to the Royal Canadian Air Force.

But first let’s go back to Saint John, NB where I came upon the Aloma when I worked as General Manager of the Jeux Canada Games 1985. Richard H. (Dick) Oland was the president of our game’s board of directors and executive committee and introduced me to the Aloma and casually mentioned one day it used to be owned by a chap in Cape Breton. I followed up on this and found out the chap from Cape Breton was George Burchell and later his son Dave. Now can you imagine to my surprise that this is the very same yacht that Willie R. Fraser worked on and looked after for many, many years for Burchell. Uncle Willie  was ably assisted from time to time by his son Russell who had diesel in his veins. In fact I had been aboard of her on a number of occasions as a youngster with Uncle Willie.

Dick Oland, he of the Moosehead Oland’s from Rothesay, NB with breweries in Saint John and Dartmouth is a sailing enthusiast and one who today has graduated to competitive sailing world wide. He and I had several connections with the 1986 Jeux Winter Games in Cape Breton. We entertained several meetings of the Cape Breton Winter Game’s executive committee both in Saint John and again came to Sydney to assist their executive committee in preparations and met with many of the members including Bucky Buchanan and Russ MacNeil. I too after the Summer Games and while on vacation in Cape Breton met with a number of committee members on my own and provided guidance and answered their questions as they prepared for the big event. Dick is shown below racing his ocean going racing yacht.

 So now let’s get back to our story about the Aloma  the famous yacht mentioned in the introductory paragraph.

Vela Veloce  Tacking – All Hands to Starboard

The Aloma was built on or about 1910 by Walter Pinaud in his first yard at Sydney, Nova Scotia. Walter Pinaud earned a reputation for being one of Nova Scotia’s top builders. His talents were discovered by Alexander Graham Bell and from 1913 into the 1920’s Walter Pinaud’s yard was located at Bell Labs in Baddeck. Rothesay’s Wallace Rupert Turnbull shared in the Bell/Pinaud experiments with hydrofoils and the effort of this work could be seen with Mr. Turnbull’s hydrofoil tests on the Kennebecasis River off Rothesay. 

 

Aloma underway after being Refitted and Lengthened

Originally the Aloma was a 45-foot long single screw canoe stern motor sailor. Its first owner was George Burchell. Mr. Burchell was the owner of the Bras d’Or Coal Company. He and his family motored the Aloma all over the Bras d’or Lakes region of Cape Breton. Mr. Burchell enjoyed the Aloma very much, but he wanted a bigger boat and knew just where to get one. In 1923 he sent the Aloma back to Walter Pinaud who was now based in Baddeck. Mr. Pinuad was commissioned to extend the length of the boat, build a mahogany wheelhouse (thus moving the helm forward up from the stern) and install twin-engine diesels. This extension was done by removing the canoe stern portion of the boat, adding 15 feet of new hull length and then placing the original stern back on. As a result of this transformation, the Aloma became Aloma II. The Burchell family continued to enjoy the boat for years to come. But with the War starting in 1939 the boat was needed for service. Before we get too far removed from the snapper boats, sailing vessels, skiffs and boats in general that appeared in a previous post that sailed out of Bras d’Or I thought it prudent to mention a somewhat famous yacht which was well travelled and ended up being owned by a resident of Bras d’Or and then to Saint John, NB and finally to Florida. This was the Yacht Aloma owned at one time by the coal baron Dave Burchell. The Aloma was even a member of the prestigious Royal Canadian Air Force having served off the Nova Scotia and Newfoundland Coasts during WWII as the HMC HSL pennan #M580/B134 where she did coastal patrol duty looking out for and reporting on German U-Boat sightings as well as support to the Royal Canadian Air Force.

War Assets – 1946- Now owned by Olands

But first let’s go back to Saint John, NB where I came upon the Aloma when I worked as General Manager of the Jeux Canada Games 1985. Richard H. (Dick) Oland was the president of our game’s board of directors and executive committee and introduced me to the Aloma and casually mentioned one day it used to be owned by a chap in Cape Breton. I followed up on this and found out the chap from Cape Breton was George Burchell. Now can you imagine to my surprise that this is the very same yacht that Willie R. Fraser worked on and looked after for many, many years for Burchell. Uncle Willie  was ably assisted from time to time by his son Russell who had diesel in his veins. In fact I had been aboard of her on a number of occasions as a youngster with Uncle Willie.

Dick Oland, he of the Moosehead Oland’s from Rothesay, NB with breweries in Saint John and Dartmouth is a sailing enthusiast and one who today has graduated to competitive sailing world wide. He and I had several connections with the 1986 Jeux Winter Games in Cape Breton. We entertained several meetings of the Cape Breton Winter Game’s executive committee both in Saint John and again came to Sydney to assist their executive committee in preparations and met with many of the members including Bucky Buchanan and Russ MacNeil. I too after the Summer Games and while on vacation in Cape Breton met with a number of committee members on my own and provided guidance and answered their questions as they prepared for the big event.

 

So now let’s get back to our story about the Aloma  the famous yacht mentioned in the introductory paragraph.

The Aloma was built on or about 1910 by Walter Pinaud in his first yard at Sydney, Nova Scotia. Walter Pinaud earned a reputation for being one of Nova Scotia’s top builders. His talents were discovered by Alexander Graham Bell and from 1913 into the 1920’s Walter Pinaud’s yard was located at Bell Labs in Baddeck. Rothesay’s Wallace Rupert Turnbull shared in the Bell/Pinaud experiments with hydrofoils and the effort of this work could be seen with Mr. Turnbull’s hydrofoil tests on the Kennebecasis River off Rothesay. 

 Originally the Aloma was a 45-foot long single screw canoe stern motor sailor. Its first owner was George Burchell. Mr. Burchell was the owner of the Bras d’Or Coal Company. He and his family motored the Aloma all over the Bras d’or Lakes region of Cape Breton. Mr. Burchell enjoyed the Aloma very much, but he wanted a bigger boat and knew just where to get one. In 1923 he sent the Aloma back to Walter Pinaud who was now based in Baddeck. Mr. Pinuad was commissioned to extend the length of the boat, build a mahogany wheelhouse (thus moving the helm forward up from the stern) and install twin-engine diesels. This extension was done by removing the canoe stern portion of the boat, adding 15 feet of new hull length and then placing the original stern back on. As a result of this transformation, the Aloma became Aloma II. The Burchell family continued to enjoy the boat for years to come. But with the War starting in 1939 the boat was needed for service.

 In 1939 the Aloma II was painted gray and became HMC HSL Cormack with hull pennants # M580/B134 and assigned to the Royal Canadian Air Force. HMC HSL translates to His Majesty’s Canadian High Speed Launch (Type II). Moving first to CFB Shearwater the boat was operated by the RCAF as a supply boat up and down the coast of Nova Scotia. She is said to have been assigned to Eastern Air Command, Newfoundland.

The military documentation for Aloma is this:

RCAF ALOMA/CORMACK HMC HSL

58-foot wooden Range Boat (Type II)

Built in 1932 (?) Obviously an error she was built in Sydney, NS abt 1906

Assigned to Eastern Air Command, Newfoundland

 As one can imagine the Aloma II was in pretty rough shape after the War and was in serious

need of a refit.  

 In the spring of 1946 the Aloma II entered the Saint John River for the first time with her newly painted white hull and headed up to its new mooring at the Rothesay Yacht Club.

Newly Refitted by Richard Oland

In her final years on the River the Aloma II was based out of the RKYC. More and more the boat was used by the brewery for tours and office parties. Enterprise Saint John had access to the boat and many a potential investor to Saint John was wined and dined on board. To this day I still get comments from “new” Saint Johners that it was that trip on the Aloma II that sold them on Saint John.

 In 2000 the Aloma II made an historic journey back to Halifax. The Tall Ships were visiting that summer and there was a great desire to have the Aloma II there for this event. Only a few people had witnessed the Aloma II experience on the open seas and what an experience it could be. The boat was not built for the Ocean so you really had to pick your days right for any such voyage. And roll she did! All who were aboard said they had land sway for a week after they arrived home. But, much to their great comfort, the boat was never in any danger. After rolling to port she always came right back up and was never overextended. Tacking helped of course and this made the trip to Halifax and home more pleasant for all.

 The Aloma II then moved from Georgia down to St. Petersburg, Florida in 2006 and was then placed for sale. The owners enjoyed the boat but having purchased a farm in Georgia were ready to start a new life. And this is where the boat met its end. After leaving the boat that morning an electrical fire started in the galley area of the boat. Fire crews arrived on thescene at 12:30PM and the fire was finally put out four hours later. In the end, the core of theboat was gutted. The galley and wheelhouse are completely gone while the engine room with its firewalls was left intact. The forward berths looks to have suffered less damage.

The condition of the hull is not known, while from the outside it does not appear to bedamaged much at all, the interior likely has serious structural issues now.

 

Aloma II in Florida

 On October 20th, 2006 2 years shy of her 100th birthday the Aloma II was destroyed in an electrical fire at its berth in St. Petersburg, Florida. The disastrous end to a proud Cape Breton Lady.

(Special thanks to Dennis Oland who wrote “The Story of the Aloma”)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10 Aug

OBITS – AUG 10, 2010

Posted by CAPER in Obituaries.

Cape Breton Deaths August 10, 2010 Tuesday

There are  7 obituaries published for today.

Russell Joseph Vickers – 81 yrs, Florence
Violet MacLean – 91 yrs, Sydney
Lou Medynski – Halifax /Sydney
Hazel O’Connell – 94 yrs, Glace Bay
Melvin Patrick Laffin – 81 yrs, Bras d’Or
David MacDonald – 52 yrs, Sydney
Angus William MacKay – 78 yrs, Little Narrows

*******************************************************************************************************
Russell Joseph Vickers – 81 yrs, Florence

It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that
we announce the sudden but peaceful passing of
our dear husband, father, grandfather and
brother, Russell Joseph Vickers, on Saturday,
August 7, 2010, in the Cape Breton Regional
Hospital, Sydney, surrounded by his loving
family.  Born September 27, 1928, in Sydney
Mines, he was the son of the late William and
Sarah (Bonnar) Vickers.  Dad served in the army
as a peacekeeper in Korea.  Upon returning to
Cape Breton, he worked in the wash plant at Devco
for more than 25 yrs.  Some of dad’s favourite
hobbies were gardening and listening to music.
He also enjoyed his tripes in the motorhome,
where he loved to be co-pilot (Merci Normal).
Dad is survived by his wife, Mary (O’Neil)
Vickers, his sons, Len of Moncton, and Gerard
(Trudy) of Coxheath, his only daughter, Evelyn
(Normand Boudeau, Cap Pele, NB, and one
granddaughter, Erica Hussey (Andrew) of Monction.
He is also survived by his brother, Devlin (Joan)
Vickers of Millville, his sisters, Jessie
MacKinnon of Ontario, Lorraine (Dwight)
Finlayson, Vivian (Joe) Cordeau, both of Sydney
Mines, Mae (Tom) MacInnis of Georges River and
Ann (Brian) Ferguson of PEI.  Besides his
parents, he was predeceased by his brothers,
Edgar, Ferdinand and Augustus, sisters,
Catherine, Loretta Habicht, Jean Nicholson and
Willena LeBlanc.  In honouring Russell’s wishes,
there will be ho visitation.  Mass of Christian
Burial will take place on Wednesday at 2 pm in
St. Stephen’s Church, Florence, with Fr Ajit
Kerketta officiating.  Burial in the parish
cemetery.  Arrangements are under the direction
of Francis Funeral Home, Sydney Mines.  Donations
in Russell’s memory may be made to Mass for Shut
Ins, the Canadian Lung Association or a chairty
of one’s choice.  Expression of sympathy may be
sent to d.francis@ns.sympatico.ca

**************************************
Violet MacLean – 91 yrs, Sydney

Violet MacLean – 91 yrs, Sydney

Violet Angela (MacDonnell) MacLean, 91 yrs,
passed away peacefully on August 7, 2010, at
Macgillivray Guest Home.  Born in Sydney, she was
the daughter of the late Samuel adn Charlotte
(Burgey) MacDonnell of Sydney.  Together with her
husband, Alfie, Violet was the founding member of
St. Theresa’s Church, a lifemember of the CWL,
and was devoted to her faith.  Biolet was a
former president of the St. Rita Hospital
Auxiliary and was hounoured with a life
membership in the Nova Scotia Association of
Health Auxiliaries.  She was a loving mother,
grandmother, and great grandmother.  Violet is
survived by her sons, Danny (Rosie), Larry
(Charlotte), David (Mary), Blaise (Colleen),
george (Erin) and daughter, Charlotte Ellen.  She
is also survived by her sisters, Genevieve
“Debbie” Chisholm and Eileen ‘Tally’ MacNeil.
Violet was predeceased by her husband of 68 yrs,
Alfie, her beloved eldest son, Wendell Gerard,
daughter-in-law, margaret (Cann) MacLean,
brothers, James, Leonard, and George MacDonnell.
Violet was deeply loved and will be sorley missed
by her grandchilden, Jeffrey, Jerry, Bobby,
Rosemary, Margaret, John, Tina, Aaron, Kristen,
Lindsey, Leigh, Stephen Wendell, Thomas and Jorja
Violet, and by her great grandchildren, Jeffrey,
James, Mitchell,Calan, Ethan, Carman D., Brylee,
Jessica, Kayshaun, Jacob, Olivia and Jaden David
Alfred.  Visitation will be at T.W. Curry
Parkview Chapel from 2-4 & 7-9 pm today (Monday).
Funeral mass to be celebrated Tuesday at 10 am at
St. Theresa’s Church, Rev Jim Oliver officiating.
Burial at St. Theresa’s Cemetery in the family
plot.  Donations may be made to Cape Breton
Regional Hospital Foundation or a charity of
one’s choice.  Family flowers only.  Online
condolences at  TWCurry.com

***************************************
Lou Medynski – Halifax /Sydney

Lou Medynski – Halifax & Sydney

Lou Medynski – Halifax & Sydney – It is with deep
sadness that the family of Lou Medynski, 88 yrs,
of Halifax and Sydney, announce his passing on
August 5, 2010, in Camp Hill Veteran’s Memorial
Building, QEII.  Born on August 14, 1921, in
Stonewall, Manitoba, he was the son of the late
Frank and Antonina Medynski.  He is survived by
his loving wife of 63 yrs, Margie (Bartlett) of
Halifax, son, Al (Brenda) of Fall River,
daughter, Debbie of Halifax, grandchildren, Susan
Medynski (Ken Lawrence) of Lake Courtney, BC,
Päul (Joline) Medynski of Halifax,
great-grandchildren, Mark, Abigail and Clare
Lawrence adn Lily and Jude Medynski, niece, Lynn
(Gary) Turner of Terrace, BC, nephew, Larry
(Betty) Morgan of Clandeboye, Manitoba.  He was
predeceased by sisters, Helen and Joyce and
brothers, Albert and Edward.  He grew up in
Stonewall, Man, and played major junior hockey
with the Winnipeg Rangers, winning the Memorial
Cup in 1941.  He played one year of hockey with
the farm team for the New York Rangers.  He
joined the RCN and served in the Second world War
on convey escort duty sailing out of Halifax and
St. John’s, Nfld.  He returned to Nova Scotia in
1945 and played hockey and baseball with the
Truro Bearcats, and he also played hockey with
the Sydney Millionaires after he moved to Cape
Breton in 1948.  He is an inductee in the Nova
Scotia Sports Hall of fame for both hockey and
baseball.  He worked at the Sydney Steel Plant
for 33 years.  He was an active member of the
United Protestant Church of Sydney River.  He was
a life-member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch
151, East Bay.  He belonged to the Cape Breton
Naval Veteran’s Association and was an original
member of the Sydney and District Heart Beats.
He also volunteered extensively wit Meals on
Wheels and the CNIB – Blind Bowlers.  The family
would like to thank all the staff at the
Veteran’s Memorial Building and especially those
staff on V4 Eastwood for their devoted care and
attention.  there will be no visitation by
request.  A memorial service will be held at the
United Protestant Church of Sydney River, on
Wednesday, August 11, 2010 at 2 pm with reception
following at the church.  Rev Dana Feltmate
officiating.  In lieu of flowers, donations may
be made to a charity of choice.  For online
condolences, please visit
www.jasnowfuneralhome.com

***************************************
Hazel O’Connell – 94 yrs, Glace Bay

Hazel O’Connell
1916-2010

It is with sadness that we, the family, announce
the passing of Hazel O’Connell on Sunday, August
8, 2010.

Born on June 19, 1916, in Glace Bay, she was the
daughter of the late Ben and Ethel (Hardy) Lewis.
Hazel was a member of St. Mary’s Anglican Church.

She was educated in Glace Bay and at the Halifax
School for the Blind. She trained as a
rehabilitation teacher at the Canadian National
Institute for the Blind in Toronto and worked
throughout the Maritime Provinces. Hazel was an
advocate for blind and visually impaired people
at community, provincial and national levels.
Over the years, she was the president of the
Glace Bay Canadian Council of the Blind (C.C.B.),
the vice-president of the N.S.-P.E.I. Division of
the C.C.B., a national board member of the C.C.B.
a member of the Canadian National Institute for
the Blind Advisory Board and a member of the H.R.
Hussey Memorial Scholarship committee.

Hazel was an avid reader and she loved to travel.
Playing crib and knitting gave her many hours of
enjoyment.

Hazel is survived by her daughter, Maurna Whiting
(Keith), Glace Bay, grandson, Ian (Pamela)
Whiting, Halifax and granddaughter, Kristin
Whiting (Jack Chisholm), Howie Centre. She is
also survived by a brother, Earle Lewis, Rhode
Island.

As well as her parents, Hazel was predeceased by
her husband, Gerald, brothers, Herb, Fred,
sisters, Mabel (Withrow) Heustis and Laura Hodder
and great grandson, Oliver Whiting.

Visitation for Hazel will be held Wednesday
evening, 6-9 p.m. in V.J. McGillivray Funeral
Home, 16 Reserve Street, Glace Bay. Hazel will be
transferred to St. Mary’s Anglican Church at 10
a.m. on Thursday with a funeral service to follow
at 11 a.m. with Rev. Judi Phillips and Rev. Fev
Arnold officiating. Interment will be held in St.
Mary’s Anglican Cemetery, Glace Bay. A luncheon
will follow in the church hall. Donations in
Hazel’s memory may be made to a charity of
choice. Online condolences to the O’Connell
family are available through www.vjmcgillivray.ca

*****************************************
Melvin Patrick Laffin – 81 yrs, Bras d’Or

We regret to announce the passing of Melvin
Laffin, 81 yrs, on Monday, August 9, 2010, at the
Northside General Hospital, surrounded by his
loving family.  Born in Bras d’Or, on July 19,
1929, he was the son of the late Peter and Agnes
(Tobin) Laffin.  He was a member of St. Joseph
Parish, Bras d’Or.  Melvin joined the Armed
forces in 1951 and was stationed in Germany,
Holland, France and England.  He served his
country during the Korean War.  After his
discharge, Melvin worked as a coal miner for a
number of years, but was best known as a skilled
carpenter, which he retired as.  Always a family
man, his children were his best friends.  He was
talented artist, drawing pictures for his kids.
His greatest pleasures were the holiday
celebrations with all his children and friends
around him, playing the guitar and madolin and
singing along.  Now Melvin is part of a beautiful
choir of angles.  Melvin is survived by his
loving children, David (Audrey) Laffin of
Florence, Judy (Carl) LeBlanc of Florence,
Derrick (Linda) Laffin of Alder Point, Carolan
(Carl) Thurbide of Florence, Billy (Yvonne)
Laffin of Toronto, Unetha (Gerald) of Bras d’Or
and Tammy (Steven) Gray of Toronto, 12
grandchildren and six great grandchildren.  He is
also survived by his sisters, Anna Penny, Margie
Gouthro, Becky Tighe, a brother, Peter (Shirley)
Laffin.  Besides his parents, Melvin was
predeceased by his loving wife, Effie (Slade)
Laffin in 2000.  Visitation for Melvin Laffin
will be held in the J.M. Jobes Funeral Home, 635
Main Street, Sydney Mines on Wednesday, August
11, 2010 from 2-4 & 7-9 pm.  The funeral mass
celebrating his life will take place on Thursday,
at 10:30 am in St. Joseph Church, Bras d’Or with
Fr. Peter MacLeod officiating.  The burial will
be in Brookside Cemetery, Sydney Mines.  A
reception will follow the burial in St. Joseph
Parish Hall, Bras d’Or.  Words of comfort may be
sent to the family at
jmjobesfuneralhome@ns.aliantzinc.ca

*****************************************
David MacDonald – 52 yrs, Sydney

David Wayne MacDonald, 52 yrs, a resident of
Braemore Home, Sydney, passed away on Sunday,
August 8, 2010.  Born in Framboise, he was the
son of the late Donalda MacDonald.  Surviving are
his brother, Gordon of Sydney, aunt, Eunice
Lively of Sydney, uncles, John MacDonald of
Marion Bridge, Donald John MacDonald of New York,
and Neilan MacDonald of Stoney Creek, Ontario.
Besides his mother, David was predeceased by
grandparents, Dan Alex and Sadie MacDonald.
there will be no visitation.  A graveside service
will be held at St. Andrews Cemetery, Framboise,
on Friday, at 3 pm, with Rev Murdock MacRae
officiating.  Condolences may be sent to the
family at  www.sydneymemorialchapel.ca

*******************************************
Angus William MacKay – 78 yrs, Little Narrows

Angus William MacKay
1931-2010

We regret to announce the death of Angus William
MacKay, Little Narrows, at the age of 78.  Angus
passed away on Monday, August 9, 2010 at Victoria
County Memorial Hospital, Baddeck.  He was born
on October 22, 1931 at Whycocomagh Portage to Eli
and Amy (Baker) MacKay.  Angus spent his early
years working in the construction industry prior
to working at the Little Narrows Gypsum Plant.
Later he was employed at Georgia Pacific from
where he retired after more than 30 years.  He
was a very dedicated employee for which he
received a service award.  One of his favorite
pastimes was ice fishing.  Angus also enjoyed
going for rides in his boat on Whycocomagh Bay.
Angus was known in the community for his caring
nature as was visible by the time he spent mowing
at Sacred Heart Cemetery, McKinnon’s Harbour. He
was also known as the “waterman”.

  He is survived by sisters, Roseanna MacIver,
Maude (Billy) Livingstone and Vicky Percy;
brothers, Sandy (Betty), Johnny (Clemmie) and
several nieces and nephews. He is also survived
by sisters-in-law, Rose (Neillie) MacKay, Shirley
(Charlie) MacKay and Teaney (Gussie) MacKay.  He
leaves behind a very special niece, Faith (Ellis)
Sutherland and special friends, Judy and Jerry
McNeil and Yvonne and Michael Nugent.  Other
family members include his wife’s sisters and
brothers, Millie (Jackie) Fraser, Marlene
(Willard) Fraser, Gordie (Jean) Ellis, Charlie
(Sandra) Ellis and Raymond Ellis.  He was
predeceased by his wife and best friend, Betty
(Ellis), parents, Eli and Amy, sister, Eva Morris
and brothers Alfred, Charlie, Murdock, Neillie,
and Gussie.  He was also predeceased by
brothers-in-law, Donald MacIver, Ralph Percy, and
Clarence Morris. Angus was predeceased by his
wife’s, sister Nan (Dan Hughie) MacKinnon and
brother, John Malcolm (Mildred) Ellis.

  In honoring Angus’s wishes there will be no
visitation. Funeral mass will be held Wednesday,
at 11:00 a.m. in St. Columba Roman Catholic
Church, Iona with Fr. Paul Abbass officiating.
Burial will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery,
McKinnon’s Harbour.  A Reception will follow in
St. Columba Parish Center, Iona.  In lieu of
flowers donations may be made in Angus’s memory
to Sacred Heart Cemetery Fund, McKinnon’s Harbour
or a charity of one’s choice.  Funeral
arrangements are under the care and direction of
Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home, Whycocomagh.
Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family
at: www.haverstocks.com

*******************************************************************************************************

Cape Breton Deaths courtesy of CBGHA   http://www.cbgha.org

9 Aug

OBITS – AUG 9, 2010

Posted by CAPER in Obituaries.

Obituaries for August 9th, 2010

8 Aug

FLORENCE SCHOOL – 1940’S CLASS

Posted by CAPER in History.

Florence School Picture – Early 1940’s

FLORENCE SCHOOL PICTURE – 1940’S

Back Row: Left: Gurney McNeil, Rob Coakley,    ?   , Butch Pye

Next: Reg Jessome, Bill MacG…, Bill MacNeil, Lockie Mansfield, Steve Jessome

Next: Heckie MacNeil, Dave MacKeigan, Russell McKeigan, Earl Moore, ? Stubbert

Next: Rodina Pardy, Eileen Carey, Muriel Jardine, Agnes Herve, Ida Brown, Jenny Sonmers, 

 ?  , Anne Barrie

Next: Eleanor Kennedy, Selena Habicht, Lennie Nicholson,   ?   , Marie Jessome,

Bottom Row: Kay MacFarlane, Jean Fry,  Colleen Munro, Blanche Mathews, Irene Dawe, Yvonne Vigneault,   ?   

(Do you recognize anyone? Can you fill in the blanks? If you are there, send me an e-mail – GTF)

7 Aug

ENGLISHTOWN RESCUE

Posted by CAPER in Safety.

Ferry workers rescue fishermen

 

Travis and Sandy to the Rescue

 

Submitted by Janette Edge

Ferry workers Travis Briand and Sandy Campbell in a Zodiac come to the rescue of two fishermen in St. Anns harbour, Friday.

Small boat overturns in fast-moving currents

ENGLISHTOWN — Two men fishing mackerel in St. Anns harbour were rescued Friday after the small aluminum boat they were in overturned in the fast-moving currents near the Englishtown ferry

 

Ferry workers Travis Briand, 44, and Sandy Campbell, 36, sounded the ferry’s alarm, and jumped into the vessel’s Zodiac rescue boat at 3:20 p.m. to reach the men some 200 metres away.

“The younger fella was not too bad, but the older guy pretty well had it,” Briand said in a telephone interview with the Cape Breton Post.

“He couldn’t even hang on to our boat. We had to get him in the boat. The other guy just hung on to our safety lines until we got them to shore.”

One eyewitness, Val Baxendale of Georges River, praised the rescuers.

“Good quick action from the crew on the ferry,” she said. “It could have turned out a whole lot different.”

Emergency personnel weren’t called to the scene as both men, one in his 40s and the other in his mid-60s, appeared tired, but otherwise uninjured, Briand said.

He said if another minute had passed before the rescue, the older man would have lost his grip on the aluminum boat and gone under the strong swells in the channel.

“I had a person on the ferry take a trip off to check on (the fishermen), check their pulses and breathing. They said they were fine.”

It’s not known where the pair were from, or how they ended up in the water. Briand said both he and Campbell had to rush back to the ferry to continue their work day.

The Torquil MacLean ferry was stopped for nearly 45 minutes, leaving a long traffic lineup to clear. Briand said there was no time to talk to the men, or even to catch their first names.

“I’m still shaking,” Briand said of the adrenaline rush with still one hour to go on his shift.

A fishing boat retrieved the overturned aluminum boat and brought it to the Englishtown wharf where the two drenched fishermen waited.

Janette Edge witnessed the event and took several photos from shore as the drama unfolded.

She said the two ferry workers were among the best to react in a rescue situation, but she questioned the Department of Transportation’s lack of preparedness in times of emergency.

“There is not enough training for such procedures and these issues really need to be addressed,” Edge said about the department, which is in charge of operating the provincial cable ferry.

cshannon@cbpost.com

7 Aug

TOUR CB – IN BLACK AND WHITE

Posted by CAPER in History.

I have a number of old black and white photographs sent to me some time ago by Peter MacIntosh and Billy Day of Bras d’Or that I would like to send along to you. Hope you enjoy them as much as I do when I look at them periodically. Causeway pics bring back so many memories.

Causeway from Cape Breton side under construction

 

Causeway starting to take shape – note car moving towards NS

 

Causeway – almost there

 

A couple of nights before Christmas, 1955 Gib Walker and I were heading home from graduating (surviving) recruit training at HMCS Cornwallis when in the dark as we were arriving at the Causeway we found a great amount of activity, police and locals gathered. A German freighter whose Captain was used to taking a short cut through the Straight of Canso and then to Montreal came steaming up the straight not knowing about the causeway. He piled her full speed ahead up on the rather substantial rocks of the causeway. No one apparently was hurt except maybe for the pride of the Captain. We checked it out and proceeded on to home.

Looking towards Nova Scotia – Now looks like a Causeway

 

A Proud Moment – Road to The Isle

 

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Cape George Farms

Stopping for a Drink and Pee Break – Cabot Trail

 

Grand Etang – Harbour

 

Iona Crossing

 

 

 

Mabou – Lots of Room at the Glebe House

A relaxing afternoon Salmon Fishing

Happy Group of Rod and Reel Fishers – 1938 Cape Breton

 

Johnny Miles of Sydney Mines winning the Boston Marathon – 1934

There you have a short tour of Cape Breton in black and white pictures. Hope you enjoyed

the tour as much as I enjoy looking at them from time to time.

 

 

 

7 Aug

OBITS – AUG 7, 2010

Posted by CAPER in Obituaries.

Rose Ann MacNeil

Passed away in: Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada
Passed away on: 03/08/2010

It is with heavy hearts that we, the family,
announce the passing of Rose MacNeil on Tuesday,
Aug. 3, 2010, at the Glace Bay Hospital, Glace
Bay, surrounded by her family.
She had a great sense of humour and loved
spending time with her family and friends. She
enjoyed painting, playing bingo and being the
centre of attention.
Rose is survived by her loving children, Joseph
‘Joe’ (Bobbie) MacDonald, Sydney, Cathy (Dave)
MacNeil, Sydney, Ann Marie (Eric) Strom, El Paso,
Texas, Lois MacDonald (Mike), Sydney; two
brothers, Joseph (Sylvia) Rooney, Peter (Frances)
Rooney, both of Scotland; sister-in-law, Theresa
MacDonald; her wonderful grandchildren, Jenna,
Jocelyn, Jillian, Bhreagh, and Liam; one precious
great-grandson, Beinnon; as well as several
nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her
first husband, Laughlin ‘Joe Gus’ MacDonald, her
second husband, Earl MacNeil and a brother, James
Rooney.
Cremation has taken place. A memorial service
will be held 10 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 7, 2010, at
the S.W. Chant & Son Funeral Home Chapel, 564
Alexandra St., Sydney. Interment to take place at
a later date.
Donations may be made to the renal dialysis unit or charity of choice.
Online condolences may be sent to our webpage at www.chantfuneralhome.com.

Obituary Posted By Chants Funeral Home,

***************************************
Lillian (Bailey) Gillan

Born in: Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia, Canada

Passed away in: Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia, Canada
Passed away on: 06/08/2010

Lillian went to be with her Lord and Saviour on
Friday, Aug. 6, 2010. She passed away peacefully
with her daughter Janie by her side.
Born in Sydney Mines in 1933, Lillian was the
daughter of the late John William and Amelia
(Childs) Bailey. She was a member of Clyde Avenue
Baptist Church in Sydney Mines, where she was
active with the Women’s Missionary Society and
the Ladies Guild in her early years.
Left to mourn her loss are her loving husband of
54 years, Stelburne; her daughters, Janie of
Sydney Mines and Susan (Bob) Craig of St. Albert,
Alta.; sons, David (Lynn) of Burton, New
Brunswick and Andrew of Sydney Mines; sisters,
Shirley (Russell) Bradley, Mary (Norman) MacQueen
and Dianne Bailey, all of Sydney Mines. She is
also survived by six grandchildren, Gregory,
Joel, and David Craig, Alberta; John, Adam and
Seth Gillan, New Brunswick; one great-grandchild,
Russell Lunn-Gillan, Ontario and many nieces and
nephews.
Besides her parents, Lillian was predeceased by
her brothers, Cecil, George and Tommy.
There will be no public visitation by the request
of the family, a funeral service will be held at
Clyde Avenue Baptist Church in Sydney Mines at 1
p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 8, 2010 with Rev. David
Hopper officiating. Reception to follow in the
parish hall.
Donations in Lillian’s memory may be made to
Clyde Avenue Baptist Church Memorial Fund, The
Canadian Diabetes Association, or the Charity of
one’s choice.
“The Lord is my Shepherd”
Online condolences may be forwarded to the family
at jmjobesfuneralhome@ns.aliantzinc.ca.

Obituary Posted By J.M. Jobes Funeral Home,

****************************
Lou Medynski – Halifax & Sydney – It is with deep
sadness that the family of Lou Medynski, 88 yrs,
of Halifax and Sydney, announce his passing on
August 5, 2010, in Camp Hill Veteran’s Memorial
Building, QEII.  Born on August 14, 1921, in
Stonewall, Manitoba, he was the son of the late
Frank and Antonina Medynski.  He is survived by
his loving wife of 63 yrs, Margie (Bartlett) of
Halifax, son, Al (Brenda) of Fall River,
daughter, Debbie of Halifax, grandchildren, Susan
Medynski (Ken Lawrence) of Lake Courtney, BC,
Päul (Joline) Medynski of Halifax,
great-grandchildren, Mark, Abigail and Clare
Lawrence adn Lily and Jude Medynski, niece, Lynn
(Gary) Turner of Terrace, BC, nephew, Larry
(Betty) Morgan of Clandeboye, Manitoba.  He was
predeceased by sisters, Helen and Joyce and
brothers, Albert and Edward.  He grew up in
Stonewall, Man, and played major junior hockey
with the Winnipeg Rangers, winning the Memorial
Cup in 1941.  He played one year of hockey with
the farm team for the New York Rangers.  He
joined the RCN and served in the Second world War
on convey escort duty sailing out of Halifax and
St. John’s, Nfld.  He returned to Nova Scotia in
1945 and played hockey and baseball with the
Truro Bearcats, and he also played hockey with
the Sydney Millionaires after he moved to Cape
Breton in 1948.  He is an inductee in the Nova
Scotia Sports Hall of fame for both hockey and
baseball.  He worked at the Sydney Steel Plant
for 33 years.  He was an active member of the
United Protestant Church of Sydney River.  He was
a life-member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch
151, East Bay.  He belonged to the Cape Breton
Naval Veteran’s Association and was an original
member of the Sydney and District Heart Beats.
He also volunteered extensively wit Meals on
Wheels and the CNIB – Blind Bowlers.  The family
would like to thank all the staff at the
Veteran’s Memorial Building and especially those
staff on V4 Eastwood for their devoted care and
attention.  there will be no visitation by
request.  A memorial service will be held at the
United Protestant Church of Sydney River, on
Wednesday, August 11, 2010 at 2 pm with reception
following at the church.  Rev Dana Feltmate
officiating.  In lieu of flowers, donations may
be made to a charity of choice.  For online
condolences, please visit
www.jasnowfuneralhome.com

************************************
Joan Marie Mackie – 69 years, Dominion – It is
with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of
our mother and grandmother, Joan Marie Mackie,
age 69, who passed away on Friday, August 6,
2010, at her residence.  Born in Dominion, she
was the daughter of the late Leo and Mary Agnes
(McNeil) Landry.  She was a faithful member of
St. James and St. Eugene’s Church.  She resided
in Toronto for a while.  She returned to Cape
Breton and lived most of her life in Gardiner
Mines.  She moved back to Dominion, where she
resided for the past several years.  Joan is
survived by her daughter, Kimberly Anne (Alan
Ling) of Dominion, sons, Robert (Ruly) of
Calgary, Alta, Brian (Valerie) of Sydney, sister,
Edna (Terry Langille), brothers, Dan (Sam)
Landry, Charlie (Diane) Landry, a number of
nieces and nephews, all of Brantford, Ontario,
many cousins and last but not least, her precious
grandson, Colton Mackie.  Besides her parents,
she was predeceased by her husband, Robert, her
beautiful and loving grandmother, Elizabeth
McNeil, who raised her.  In honouring Joan’s
wishes, there will be no visitation.  Cremation
has taken place under the care and direction of
V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 16 Reserve Street,
Galce Bay.  A funeral mass will be held at 11 am
on Monday, August 9, 2010 at St. Eugene’s Church,
Dominion, with Fr. Daniel Boudreau officiating.
Interment will be in St. James Cemetery, Gardiner
Mines.  A reception will follow at St. Eugene’s
Church basement.  All are welcome.  In lieu of
flowers, donations in Joan’s memory may be made
to the Canadian Diabetes Association or to a
charity of one’s choice.  Online condolences to
the Mackie family are available through
www.vjmcgillivray.ca

********************************************
Chester Fraser – Funeral Mass – There will be a
funeral mass for the late Chester Fraser at St.
Barra’s Church, Christmas Island, on Monday,
August 9, 2010 at 11 am, followed by burial in
the Christmas Island Cemetery.

6 Aug

OBITS – AUG 6, 2010

Posted by CAPER in Obituaries.

Obituaries for August 6th, 2010

5 Aug

TUNA, SWORDFISH – ROD AND REEL

Posted by CAPER in Fishing.

Nova Scotia including Cape Breton was once a hot spot for giant bluefin and swordfish

 

Don MacLean

While most of us are content to catch some pan trout and consider a 12-inch fish to be a real trophy there was a time when anglers from around the world flocked to Nova Scotia after much bigger game.

Topics :

Nova Scotia , Cape Breton , Jordan Bay

The years that ran from the early 1930s right up to the 1970s were the glory days of big game fishing in Nova Scotia. That’s when millionaires, movie stars and presidents came to our shores after bluefin tuna and broadbill swordfish.

Nova Scotia first became known as the haunt of big bluefin tuna back in 1871 when angler Thomas Pattilo caught horse mackerel — as tuna were called then — on an outfit that consisted of 192 feet of codline, a homemade reel and an eight-inch hook. Later Commander J.K. Ross popularized fishing for tuna when he pursued them in St. Ann’s Bay on Cape Breton from 1908 until 1911.

Word soon spread of the sport that was available off our waters and in 1924 Zane Gray made his first fishing trip to Nova Scotia. On that trip Gray hooked a tuna in Jordan Bay that stood for a time as the world record, until it was beaten in 1933 by a tuna caught in the North Sea, off England. Although he was best known as an author Gray was perhaps the most famous big game angler of his time and fished both in fresh and saltwater up until his death.

Tuna arrived off Nova Scotia in the early summer following schools of herring and mackerel. The interest in fishing these giants resulted in the first international tuna angling tournament  in Wedgeport in 1937. The tournament attracted teams from the United States, Great Britain, Cuba, Chile, Venezuela, Brazil and Argentina and was an annual event until the tuna numbers dropped off in the 1960s.

Port Hood – 2009 (Pic provided by Ed and Judy McCready)

 

Off Cape Breton the prize catch was broadbill swordfish. These giants appeared every summer and supported a commercial harpoon fishery for hundreds of boats. The first man to recognize the potential value of this fishery was an American named Michael Lerner, who first fished them in 1936.

Lerner soon attracted a who’s who of big game anglers and men like Kip Farrington and Lee Wulff all made trips to Louisbourg. The swordfish fishery dropped off during the war and when the fishery resumed the fish were not seen in the numbers they once were.

Swordfishing by trawl commenced and that was the end of the Giants

While today there is a thriving commercial fishery for bluefin tuna it is unlikely we will ever see a return to the days of big game sportfishing when Nova Scotia was known as the home of giant fish.

Tight Lines.

Tuna Port Hood – 2009 and the Fishermen (oops Fisherpersons) who caught it.

(Pic provided by Ed and Judy McCready)

Tip of the week:

While most of us don’t have the opportunity to fish for tuna and swordfish we can still experience some great saltwater fishing every summer when mackerel appear off our shores. These smaller cousins of the great bluefin can provide anglers with great sport on light tackle.

A Beauty

Cape Breton native Don MacLean is a fisheries biologist and a resident of Pictou. He writes on sportfishing for a variety of publications. You can email him at oldtrout@ns.sympatico.ca. (Courtesy of Don MacLean)

5 Aug

OBITS – AUG 5, 2010

Posted by CAPER in Obituaries.

Obituaries for August 5th, 2010

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »