ENGLISHTOWN RESCUE

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

TOUR CB – IN BLACK AND WHITE

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.

 

 

 

OBITS – AUG 7, 2010

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.