CHIASSON
On Wednesday, May 20th, 2026, Elizabeth Chiasson passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love of her girls at her bedside. Left to mourn this tremendous loss and navigate life without her are her three daughters, Bernice (Mike) Lucas, Jeannine (Gélas) Aucoin, and Gisèle (Paul) Gartland. She will be missed dearly by her greatest blessings, her grandchildren, Melissa, Renée (Rob), Ryan, Allison (Aaron), Hannah (James), and Marcus (Molly). Many days were enjoyed sitting with Mémère on her veranda in the summer eating popsicles, or baking cookies and only being trusted to roll the dough in sugar. She was the most proud grand-mémère to Riley, Connor, Jacob, Rory, and Owen. Her nieces and nephews will also feel this tremendous loss, as she held a special place in their hearts, and they in hers. Affectionately known as Zabeth, she was a true “Moinouse” to her core. She was in her glory perched on her front step each summer, happily watching as the cars passed by, each driver giving a honk and a wave – whether locals or tourists. Living in the family homestead for the majority of her years, mom made sure her door was open to everyone. It was the meeting place for friends and family alike, often a rousing game of cards enjoyed around the table. She even managed to host a few weary Irish kayakers caught in stormy seas. The family home was always bustling during Mi-Carême, much to Zabeth’s joy. Home was also a place where she and her sisters, Thérèse, Eileen, Marie Hilda, and Diane (fondly known as the Golden Girls) would meet, reminisce on days past, or solve the problem of the day. Those who knew Zabby knew one of her true loves was food. It was her greatest pleasure to prepare and enjoy a meal or a treat for her guests, and she made sure that no belly left her table hungry. She always made sure that her family’s requests for Yum Yum squares or chocolate chip cookies were always fulfilled. You could tell she took great joy in preparing food for others, and without a doubt the secret ingredient in each of her dishes was a large helping of love. Of all of her pastimes, bingo and breakopen tickets were her favourites. Elizabeth loved a good game of chance. Though she didn’t always win back what she spent, she never lost hope for better luck next time. She had a keen ear for music, especially when her favourite fiddler Colin would launch into Sandy MacIntyre’s “Trip to Boston” especially for her. The last remaining matriarch of the family, Elizabeth was predeceased by her parents Moïse & Luce Agnes (Chiasson) LeBlanc; each of her siblings, Albert, Clifford, Linus, Julia, Thérèse, Eileen, Marie Hilda, and Dianne. Over the past 32 years, she has mourned and deeply missed her son Linus, and her granddaughters Lindsay and Ashley; her husband, Bernie à William who she had been without since 2015; and by her eldest son, Kevin. Most recently, she lost her granddaughter, Justine. Mom’s tremendous strength and resilience were evident in living a life full of love and vigour despite the many heartbreaking losses she endured. She was an example for so many on navigating life following loss. Elizabeth was steadfast and stoic, a pillar for the entire family to lean on for support. A devout Catholic, her unwavering faith and steadfast devotion to Ste. Anne guided mom spiritually to weather many challenges she encountered throughout her life. To honour her memory, we ask that you think of her each time you see a hummingbird (her favourites to watch from her window in recent years), or when sharing a recipe with a friend. With deep gratitude, we extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff and administrators of Foyer Père Fiset for the care mom received during her time there. Please know that your kind words of comfort, acts of kindness, and support have helped us through these most difficult times. May each act of love, that each and every one of you have shown to us be returned tenfold. Visitation will take place on Saturday, May 30th, 2026 in St. Joseph’s Church, St. Joseph du Moine from 10:00 a.m. until time of funeral mass at 11:00 a.m. with Father Martin MacDougall and Father Peter LeBlanc officiating. Should you be so inclined, memorial donations may be made in her memory to St. Joseph’s Church, St. Joseph du Moine du Moine. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Cheticamp Funeral Services Ltd. Condolences may be made to www.cheticampfuneralservices.ca.
FERGUSON
The death of Matthew Ferguson occurred on May 18th, 2026, in Inverness Consolidated Memorial Hospital after a lengthy illness. He was born in Inverness on February 2nd, 1944, to the late John and Mina Ferguson. After attending NSIT he worked his whole life as an electrician with IBEW. In June 1970 he married Mildred MacLean of Dunvegan. He was a proud father of John (Meredith), Lisa (Trevor) Alford, David, and Carrie (Chris Baker); also survived by grandchildren Matthew and Chloe Ferguson; Brenna and Brett Alford; Finley, Madden, and Blake Baker. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his stepfather, Angus Gillis, sister Janice, and brother Wesley. Matthew was a proud member of Stella Maris Church, Inverness and an active member of the community. Visitation took place in Inverness Funeral Home on Thursday, May 21st, 2026, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m., and the funeral mass was held in Stella Maris Church, Inverness, on May 22nd, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be in Whale Cove Cemetery, Whale Cove, Margaree Harbour. Donations may be made to a charity of one’s choice. The family would like to thank all of the remarkable staff of ICMH for their compassion and care over the last several months. A special acknowledgement of Dr. Susie Egar who always went above and beyond with guidance as Mattie’s journey came to a close. Until we meet again, may God hold you in the hollow of his hand. Online condolences may be made to: www.invernessfuneralhome.com.
MacDOUGALL
The daughters of Bernie MacDougall and their families are saddened to share the news of his passing. He was prepared to leave us and, while seated in his rocking chair, wrote his own obituary as follows: The death of “Bernie” Bernard Ralph MacDougall occurred on Monday, May 18th, 2026, at the Aberdeen Hospital, New Glasgow, NS. Born in Halifax on August 15th, 1943, to Angus A. MacDougall of Mount Young, Inverness County, and Bridget A. Rankin of Mabou, NS, he was the third of ten children. He was predeceased by Ron, Kathleen, Lorne, Leo and Alex. He is survived by siblings Mike, Liz, Doug, and Raymond and their families. Born into a family with deep roots in Scottish and Cape Breton culture, Bernie was true to his roots and played guitar and fiddle with many Celtic musicians over the years. The guitar was his favorite. He was connected to many friends through his many hobbies and interests. Music, sports, and volunteering enriched his life. Bernie will be remembered for his dedication to coaching, mentoring, and community spirit. He loved being in the company of neighbours and his garden which he generously shared with many in his spirit of helping others. A graduate of Saint Mary’s University, he received a master’s degree in social work. His career and specialty in mental health took him into many hospitals within Nova Scotia. He thanks his children, Laura and Elana, for providing support over his recent illnesses as well as their mother, Cecilia, who helped make the burden easier to bear. A special word of thank you goes out to the staff of Aberdeen Hospital and the dialysis team at Sutherland Harris Memorial. An informal celebration of family and friends will be held in Inverness, Cape Breton, on August 1st from 2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at 43 Lower Railway Street, Inverness.
MacMILLAN
William Colin “Bill” MacMillan, November 9th, 1950 ~ August 28th, 2025: It is with great sadness we announce the passing of William (Bill) Colin MacMillan, 74, of Eastern Passage. Bill was born November 9th, 1950, in Inverness, Nova Scotia, to William and Mary (Matheson) MacMillan. Bill spent his childhood in East Lake Ainslie with his three younger siblings where his love of geoscience began. Bill attended the Eastern Institute of Technology (now Cape Breton University) graduating from the mineral technology program as a geological technologist in 1972. Bill left Cape Breton after graduation, accepting employment with the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) located on the campus of the Bedford Institute of Oceanography (BIO) in Dartmouth, working in their palynology laboratory. His dedication to laboratory processes led to Bill being a co-recipient from the GSC of a Logan Medallion in 2019. Through his career, Bill gained skills in the development of graphics, providing graphic work on many publications, field guides, and conferences, as well as major contributions to three books, two editions of The Last Billion Years: A Geological History of the Maritime Provinces of Canada and Four Billion Years and Counting: Canada’s Geological Heritage. Bill served on the Atlantic Geoscience Society Council for several years, and played an active role in the preparation of the first version of the Nova Scotia Highway Map, eventually retiring in 2010 after almost 40 years of service. Bill was just as dedicated to the sport of golf, being a significant contributor to the Nova Scotia Golf Association (NSGA) since 1985. Throughout his tenure he acted as a referee, course rater, national bard member, NSGA executive committee member, president, and vice-president, governor with Golf Canada, as well as chair of Golf Canada’s Handicap and Course Rating Committee. Additionally, he assisted with the establishment of the NSGA Player of the Year points system and NSSAF Golf Tournament. Bill was a long- standing member at Hartlen Point Golf Club, serving on the executive committee for 21 years, and recipient of the 2019 NSGA Distinguished Service Award and 2019 Golf Canada Volunteer of the Year. Bill is survived by his sister, Marie of Kenloch, brother, Allan (Kathleen) of Camrose, sister-in-law, Beverly of Margaree Valley. Nephews and nieces Nathan, Nadine, Nelson, Dawn, Chad (Holly), Jessica (Ryan) and grand-nephew Kade. He was predeceased by his parents, brother Kevin, and brother-in-law, Donnie. Special thank you to Billy’s neighbours, Paul and Debbie, and his co-workers, Rob and Graham. A graveside service will take place on Saturday, June 6th, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. in East Lake Ainslie Cemetery. A time of fellowship will follow the burial in the Scotsville Fire Hall. All are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, and in honor of Billy’s love for sports please consider a donation to a youth sports program of your choice.
RANKIN
Lawrence Peter (Larry) Rankin, April 27th, 1954 – May 23rd, 2026: It is with immense gratitude for his life that we announce the peaceful passing of Lawrence Peter (Larry) Rankin at home in Port Hood on Saturday, May 23rd, 2026. Larry’s impact was far-reaching and he leaves behind a network of dear family and friends who will cherish his memory. We would like to pass along thanks to the ICMH Oncology Department staff (especially to Dr. Saliba, Dr. Bennett, Dr. Coakley, Melissa Beaton, Melinda MacDonnell, Kelly Glabais-Cummings, Scott Skinner, Caitlin MacLean, and Meghan Rankin) whose kindness and compassion were very much appreciated. A celebration of life will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 30th, 2026 at the Lake Ainslie Fire Hall (4550 Highway 395, Scotsville). Donations in Larry’s memory may be made to the Inverness Consolidated Memorial Hospital Charitable Foundation.
ROMARD
Honora Romard, age 87, of Foyer Père Fiset, Cheticamp, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 12th, 2026. Honora was a daughter of the late Johnnie and the late Minnie (Deveau) AuCoin. Honora spent her young life in Toronto. In 1993, she came home to Cheticamp to retire. Her favorite pastimes were knitting, doing crafts, and sewing. She also enjoyed a good game of 200. On Monday and Friday evenings, she played TV bingo on Channel 28, and CKJM radio bingo. She enjoyed her weekly outings to the Evangeline restaurant with her sister, Jacqueline and brother-in-law, Raymond. Honora liked to go shopping with her niece, Annette. She knew that Annette would buy her special clothes and trinkets! Since her stay at the Foyer Père Fiset, she looked forward to Wednesday afternoons to play bingo with her new friends. She loved and admired all the staff at the Foyer, for their unconditional love, and care towards her! Honora is survived by her sister, Jacqueline (Raymond) Poirier. Besides her parents, Honora was predeceased by her husband, Joseph “Arthur” Romard; and brother, Irvin AuCoin. A graveside service with take place in St. Peter’s Cemetery, Cheticamp, at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to Foyer Père Fiset or a charity of your choice. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Cheticamp Funeral Services Ltd. Condolences may be sent to: www.cheticampfuneralservices.ca.
SUTHERLAND
John Bernard “Hoss” Sutherland sailed into calmer waters peacefully on May 21st, 2026, in Inverness Consolidated Memorial Hospital, surrounded by love. A fisherman at heart and soul, Dad spent much of his life on the water – where the tides, the boats, and the salt air were as much a part of him as his unmistakable laugh and generous spirit. Whether hauling traps, sharing stories on the wharf, or simply watching the ocean, the sea was where he felt most at peace. Born on September 26th, 1953, in Inverness, John was a son of the late Elizabeth (MacDonald) and Alex Sr. Sutherland. He was predeceased by his brothers, Barry and Jimmy Sutherland, and by his lifelong best friend, John Archie MacDonald. He leaves behind a family who loved him deeply; his children, Darlene (Judd), Jonathan (Abbey), Virginia, and Crystal (Joey); the mother of his children, Theresa MacLellan; and his cherished grandchildren, Bret, Danni, Bree, Brody, Kenzie, Liam, Ceilidh, Oliver, and Remi, who brought endless pride and joy to his life. John is also survived by his siblings, Charlie (Merebeth), Betty Anne (Doug) Cameron, Sandra (the late Donald) MacDonald, Duncan (Bonnie), Ludy (Selina), Eldon (Darlene), Alex (the late Mary), Francis (Charlene), and Peter (Sandra); as well as his sisters-in-law, Brenda and Mary MacMillan; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and fellow fishermen whose lives were made better by knowing him. Nearly 50 years ago, Dad bought his lobster license, later adding his crab license in 1985. Along the way, he fished tuna and just about anything else that allowed him to spend time on the sea he loved so deeply. When his children grew old enough to join him on the water, he proudly shared his love for the ocean and taught them everything he knew – lessons about fishing, hard work, resilience, and respect for the water. His grandchildren were the greatest joy of his life. With them, his playful and mischievous spirit truly shone. Whether it was teasing, telling stories, sharing laughs, or pulling endless pranks, Papa had a way of making every moment memorable and every grandchild feel deeply loved. As the years passed and his health became more challenging, he was forced to step away from life on the ocean, but the ocean never left his heart. Even off the water, he remained a fisherman in every sense of the word – strong, humble, hardworking, and deeply connected to the sea and the community he loved. In later years, he also developed a deep love for harness racing and could often be found at the racetrack, enjoying the excitement, friendships, and stories shared along the rail. Whether by the water or at the track, Hoss was happiest surrounded by good people, laughter, and conversation. We would like to take this time to thank the staff at the Inverness Consolidated Memorial Hospital for their care. They went above and beyond to make sure Hoss was as comfortable as could be. We especially appreciate the kindness and patience they showed him – laughing at all his jokes, putting up with his endless pranks, and treating him with such compassion and dignity throughout his stay. Visitation will be held on Sunday, May 31st, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in Port Hood & Area Resting Place. Funeral mass will be held on Monday, June 1st, at 2:00 p.m. in St. Peter’s Church, Port Hood. Burial to follow in the parish cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Central Inverness Palliative Care Society. Online condolences may be made to: www.invernessfuneralhome.com.
“A fisherman never dies – he simply sails into calmer waters.”
“Gone Fishin’” – JBS
TIMMONS
Earl Albert Timmons, age 82, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on May 21st, 2026, at Inverness Consolidated Memorial Hospital. Earl was born in Inverness on June 23rd, 1943 to the late William and Johnena (Shaw) Timmons. Earl was married for 50 years to his loving wife Hilda (Murphy) who passed 13 years ago; they are now happily reunited. Earl worked for Stora in his younger years, and he and Hilda raised four children: Janie (Gerald), Darren (Pam), Claire (Angela), and Michael( Marina). He is also survived by his grandchildren Elie, Mikey, Jermey, William, Darren, Megan, Gary, Jonathan, Ashley, Breanne, John Michael and Christopher; his great-grandchildren that always brought a twinkle to his eyes, Austin, Autumn, Sophie, Bentley, Noah, Echo, Carla, Lillian, Wyatt, Magnolia, Cohen, Benjamin, Georgia, and Kingston Oakley. Earl had plenty of hobbies like playing darts, hunting, playing cards, and “beating Janie in Yahtzee.” When he was around a crowd you could always count on him for a good laugh. To all who knew him he was Uncle Earl. Besides his wife and parents, Earl was predeceased by six brothers and three sisters. Visitation was held at St. Patrick’s Parish Hall, North East Margaree, Sunday, May 24th from 7:00-9:00 p.m. and Monday, May 25th from 2:00-4:00 pm. and 7:00-9:00 pm. Funeral mass was held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 26th at St Patrick’s Church, North East Margaree. The family would like to thank all the great staff at ICMH, the palliative care team, and the paramedics who transported him a few times over the last few months. Your kind, compassionate care is greatly appreciated. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the family of the late Earl Timmons. Online condolences: www.sunsetfuneralco-op.com.