BURNS
Allan Ross Burns passed away peacefully in the Colchester East Hants Health Centre, surrounded by his loving family on January 9th, 2026, at the age of 86 years. Allan was born on March 2nd, 1939, at the family farm in Shinimicas, Nova Scotia. He was a son of the late Hilda and Ross Burns. Allan was predeceased by his wife, Marilyn; parents; stepmother, Marie Murdock Burns; parents-in-law, Neil and Margaret Campbell; sister, Helen Farrow; brothers, Richard and Bertram Burns; brother-in-law, Harold Farrow; nephews, Brian Farrow and Jason Campbell; and numerous uncles and aunts. Allan grew up and worked on the family farm in Shinimicas until his mid-twenties. He and his father settled in Bible Hill on East Court Road shortly after his mother passed away in 1965. He met Marilyn through his Uncle Clark, and they were married on July 4th, 1970. Allan and Marilyn built a life in their home on Riverside Avenue, where they raised their two children, Neil and Michelle. He was very proud of their property and worked hard to maintain it. Allan worked a number of construction jobs including the building of the Cox Institute on the Nova Scotia Agricultural College campus. He then spent many years working for Eastern Transport and Midland Transport. He mostly worked night shift and would regularly pivot to family activities on just a few hours of sleep. In his retirement, he cut grass and did odd jobs for many of his neighbours on Riverside. Allan’s most endearing qualities were his quiet demeanor, kind heart, sense of humor, his work ethic and his storytelling. His memory of his youth on the farm was very sharp and he loved sharing stories that typically involved a storm, working the crops, the machinery, neighbours, the family dogs, their horses, Jock and Chief, driving his mother to work with a horse and wagon, and adventures with his siblings and friends. He also had very fond memories of time spent during the summers in Advocate Harbour with his mother’s family. Allan’s farming background led to a lifelong love of gardening. He had a large garden every year, including this past summer, that was immaculately kept. His largest crop was potatoes which would yield enough to last through the winter. He shared the fruits of his labours with friends and neighbours, and Marilyn preserved pickles and beets every fall. He adored his grandchildren, Rya, Madison, Gavin, and Riley. He loved spending time with them, attending their school and sporting activities. He was extremely proud of them all and interested in everything they were doing. What Allan loved most was spending time with family. Whether it be a holiday or birthday spent with his immediate family, times spent at his sister’s cottage, in Ontario with his brothers or in Cape Breton with his in-laws, he was happy. He loved gathering for a meal and exchanging new and old stories. Allan will be dearly missed by his son, Neil (Jamie) Burns; daughter, Michelle (Duane) Webber; grandchildren, Rya and Gavin Burns, Madison and Riley Webber; sisters in-law, Carolyn Burns and Diane Burns; brothers in-law, John Murdock (Tena) and Barry (Colleen Beaton) Campbell; cousins, Gail Morris, Arden Fletcher; and his many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and friends. The family would like to thank Colchester East Hants Health Centre’s nurses and doctors of D3 and palliative care for the kindness shown to Dad during his hospital stay. In lieu of flowers, Allan would be very pleased if you made a donation to Northport Hillside Cemetery Company, where his parents are buried, (https://mycharityfund.ca/charity/20035/northport-hillside-cemetery-company ), or a charity of your choice. A visitation will be held on Saturday, January 17th, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a funeral service on Sunday, January 18th, at 2:30 p.m., both in Colchester Community Funeral Home, 512 Willow Street, Truro, NS. Webcasting of the service will begin at 2:28 p.m. (AST) and is available along with online condolences at www.ColchesterCommunity.com.
CORMIER
Delina Mary Cormier, age 88, Cheticamp, passed away on Thursday, January 1st, 2026 in the Foyer Père Fiset Guest Home, Cheticamp. She was a daughter of the late Edmond and the late Eva (Imhoff) Pitre. Delina and Henry lived in Toronto where she worked at a bank for over 25 years. When she and Henry moved back to Cheticamp, Delina worked as a bank teller at the Royal Bank. Delina is survived by several nieces and nephews. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Henry T. Cormier; brothers, Willard, Albany, and Lionel; and sisters, Patricia, and Delcine. A graveside service will take place at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Cheticamp Funeral Services Ltd. Condolences may be sent to: www.cheticampfuneralservices.ca.
MacDOUGALL
It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of William F. MacDougall, 66, of Beaver Bank, NS – but always a Cape Bretoner at heart – on January 3rd, 2026. William, known as Billy or “Uncle Billy” was born and raised in Inverness, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, to mother Margaret MacDougall (Beaton) and father Alexander MacDougall. Billy leaves to grieve his wife of 37 years, Mary MacDougall (Ingraham), their two children, Nicole (Matt) Harnish and Sean (Katlynn) MacDougall, along with their furbaby, Rex; brothers, Danny (Kathleen) MacDougall, Sandy (Rosalie) MacDougall, and brother-in-law Louie Lanceleve; his “favourite nieces” Kim, Karen, Kelly, and many other nieces and nephews whom he loved. He was predeceased by his parents Margaret and Alec MacDougall, sister Wendy, and father-in-law George Ingraham. On April, 13th, 2005, Billy embarked on a life-changing venture and started his own business, Sight Point Lighting Ltd. and never looked back. He loved being self-employed, not just because he could leave work early on a Friday afternoon. Billy always enjoyed music of many genres and sat many a night on the deck with Rex listening to anything from Gordon Lightfoot to Archie Fisher so late it would be early. In his younger years he played the bagpipes, strummed his magical-sounding 12-string Fender acoustic guitar and hummed out the odd tune from a harmonica. He was always willing to lend a helping hand to any and all who asked. If he couldn’t help he surely would know someone that could. If you knew Billy for any amount of time, you would know he loved a good party surrounded by good music, loving friends, and of course an “Uncle Billy special” drink. If you were new to that group of friends, he would make a point to make you feel warm and welcome. He loved seeing a car pull into the driveway, knowing he could tell a story or a joke over a good drink, which happened often, given he didn’t know a stranger. Billy’s family would like to thank the staff at Cobequid Health Centre, who knew him as “Uncle Billy,” for their excellent care and the staff at the QE2. Memorial donations can be made in his name to Hope For Wildlife or a charity of your choice. A memorial service for Billy MacDougall will be held at Atlantic Funeral Home, 1110 Old Sackville Road, Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia, at 1:00 p.m. on January 16th, 2026, with reception to follow. There will be a memorial mass held at a later date in Inverness, Cape Breton. Slainté!
MacKINNON
Rose M. MacKinnon, 81, Inverness, peacefully passed away on January 2nd, 2026, surrounded by family in Inverness Consolidated Memorial Hospital. She was born on April 26th, 1944, in St. John, New Brunswick to the late Irene (Cormier) and Antoine Vautour. Rose took pride in having family gathered in her home, always welcomed with a hot meal, a seat at the table or an ear to listen. Though Rose was not originally from Inverness, it quickly became her forever home. As a child, Rose moved to St. Ignace, where her father built the family homestead, and where she helped raise her fifteen siblings. Following in the footsteps of her beloved grandmother, and best friend, Marie Cormier, Rose made the journey to Cape Breton. She was lovingly taken under the wing of her Aunt Sister Bernadette and worked at the Mabou Convent. What Rose could not have known then, was how life-changing that move would be. It led her to meet the love of her life at a Margaree square dance, and from that moment on, it was history. Throughout her life, Rose held many jobs, but the greatest and most cherished was being a mother, grandmother, and a mother figure to all who entered her life. Rose once dreamed of pursuing a career in nursing, a calling rooted in her care for others. Though life led her down a different path at a young age, she carried that belief forward, instilling in her children and grandchildren the importance of education and lifelong learning. She was proud of her Acadian heritage and had a gift for languages, speaking French and English fluently, as well a bit of Gaelic. Rose is survived by her children, Michelle (Frank) MacDonnell, Lauchie (Tracy), Donna (John) Clarke, Shane (Kelly), Eddie (Paulette) Phillips; son-in-law, John Cummings; grandchildren, Rene, Kelsey, Shane, Maesey, Daniel, Luc, Jacob, Denis, Rachel, Jenna, James, Charley Rose, Ayla, Malcolm; brothers, Paul (Vicki), Jean (Francine), Arthur (Doria), Gabriel, Lin (Monique), Rheo (Shirley); sister, Martha (Dave); special niece, Lori Ann; and multiple nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, great grandchildren, godchildren, sister, and brothers-in-law. Rose was predeceased by the love of her life, her husband, Laughlin Charles; her daughter, Grace Marie; brothers, Vincent, Raymond, Armand, Regnald, Clement, and Jude; and her 4-legged companion of 18 years, Biscuit. Her memory will live on in the hearts of all she touched. The family would like to thank the staff of Inverness Consolidated Memorial Hospital for their compassionate care and support. Donations in Rose’s memory can be made to Central Inverness Palliative Care Society. The family invites you to honor Rose by living with the same kindness and compassion she showed to everyone. A celebration of Rose’s life will take place on April 25th, 2026, to allow all family and friends to gather. Online condolences may be made to: www.invernessfuneralhome.com.
MacMILLAN
With deep sadness we announce the death of our dear mother and sister, Genevieve Isabel MacMillan (Copley). Mama was born in Inverness, September 25th, 1939, and passed away on January 8th, 2026, at the Taigh na Mara nursing home in Glace Bay. She will be greatly missed by her family, friends, and the many communities she was part of. The daughter of George and Elizabeth Copley, she grew up in a busy house in the Red Rows. She developed an early love of sports, playing baseball under the expert eye of her father. Her lifelong love of the beach began there, along with her fondness for listening to local music and watching sports, especially her Habs and Red Sox. In her late teens, she met the love of her life, Angus, and went to the first of many dances. He must have been a good lead as after they married in 1958, she moved with him, first to Ontario and then back to Port Hood where their children Donnie, George, Louise and Sarah were born. Angus built them a house in Troy and Mama made it a home, welcoming everyone with open hospitality. A devout Catholic, she was a frequent Eucharistic minister and lector, and a member of the CWL. While her life and happiness revolved around her family, she also held a number of jobs outside her home. She had especially fond memories of her time at The Skye Motel where she made many of her lifelong friends and worked to improve the working conditions of her colleagues. As we grew up and followed our own paths, she and Angus provided unconditional love and support. Later they were able to have more time together to travel and enjoy beach days in Port Hood and Florida, race days in Inverness, and dances all around Inverness County, often with visiting children and grandchildren. After our father passed in 1998, Mama continued to travel, as far afield as Australia and Hawaii, spending time with family, and hosting visitors every summer. She loved watching her grandchildren grow up and fostered a strong connection to Cape Breton in all of them. Her walls were covered in family photos, and she followed all of their accomplishments with pride. Later, she moved back to Inverness and enjoyed spending more time with her brothers and their families. In 2025, with Louise’s help, she moved once more, to Taigh na Mara nursing home in Glace Bay, where she was lovingly cared for by their wonderful staff. Throughout her life, she built strong friendships and communities through work, volunteer activity and the church, and through just being there to help out neighbours, and those in need of wise advice, a pie, or emergency childcare. Mama was a great storyteller, and many evenings were spent around the table often over a card game, telling jokes, teasing, and laughing with her family and friends. We’ll miss her stories, her laughter, her advice, her fair-mindedness, her sharp wit, and her informed commentary on world events and local politics. She was a lady of formidable strength and determination, showing us all how to meet life’s challenges with grace. Mama was predeceased by her beloved husband, Angus, her father, George Copley; mother, Elizabeth Copley (Russell); sisters, Georgina Copley, Kaye Reid (Bill), Caroline Walker (Jordy), Jean Walker (Alexander); brother Russell, and sister-in-law, Edith Copley. She is survived by children Donnie (Margy) in Victoria, BC, George (Marjorie) in Sherwood Park, AB, Louise MacDougall (Lorne) in Sydney, NS, and Sarah MacLellan (Lennie) in Newton, Mass; grandchildren Brenden MacMillan (David MacLeod), and Cassie (Kody) DesRoches, William Hall (Jill), Isaac Hall (Jenna Khoury-Hanna), Donald MacLellan, Michael MacLellan (Annie Greene), John Angus MacLellan; brothers, Edward Copley (Marie), George Copley Jr., James Copley (Anne); sister-in-law Trudy Copley, and many very special nieces, nephews, and cousins. A wake will be held Thursday, January 15th, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Inverness Funeral Home and the Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 16th, at Stella Maris Church in Inverness. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Central Inverness Hospice Palliative Care. The family wishes to thank the wonderful staff at Taigh na Mara. Online condolences may be made to: www.invernessfuneralhome.com.