Captain Michael A. Tobin
90, North Sydney
Captain Michael A. Tobin, 90, of 80 Archibald Avenue, North Sydney, Nova Scotia, passed away at 6:14 a.m. on Saturday morning, April 1, 2000, at the Northside General Hospital in North Sydney, Nova Scotia. Born in Dunville, Newfoundland, October 26, 1909, Captain Tobin was the eldest of 10 children. He was the son of the late John Tobin and Julia (nee Glynn) Tobin. He was predeceased by his first wife Kathleen (Grant), his brother John (Jack) and his sisters Theresa (Reddigan), Carmel (O'Reilly), Mary (Mealey) and Louise (Kaufman). He is survived by his wife Nora (nee Ryan), three sons, Michael (Elaine), Terry and David (of North Sydney), two brothers, James (of Dunville, Newfoundland) and Anthony (of Hamilton, Ontario), and two sisters, Rita Rosskoph (of Florida) and Maude Masurack (of California). Captain Tobin was a master mariner and had a distinguished career of more than 50 years at sea. He first went to sea aboard a Norwegian whaler in 1927 under Captain Borgen. He then served aboard the Argyle, the Clyde and the Home (of the Reid Newfoundland Company) from 1928 to 1934. He sailed aboard the Glencoe from 1934 to 1940, earning his First Mate's ticket in 1939. As a member of the Merchant Marine, he served in perilous conditions throughout the entire duration of the Second World War. He sailed on the Burgeo from 1940 to 1955, initially as First Mate under Captain Gullage from 1940 to 1946 and then as master from 1946 to 1955. Captain Tobin brought the William Carson, the first car ferry, to the Gulf and sailed her from 1955 to 1966. He then served as captain of the Leif Eriksson from 1966 to 1968 and finally as master of the Ambrose Shea from 1968 to 1974. He remained active after his retirement in 1975. He served as a navigator on the St. Lawrence River piloting ships to Montreal. He sailed for six decades without an accident, including four decades as master. In recognition of his distinguished marine career, he received an honourary diploma from the Canadian Coast Guard College in 1983. Captain Tobin's career was profiled in Harry Bruce's "Lifeline" (1977) and in Rannie Gillis's "This is Not the Mainland" (1999). His life story was also the subject of a feature article in a recent issue of "Cape Breton's Magazine." In his retirement, Captain Tobin took up gardening with a passion and played golf until the age of 85. He was also an avid walker and reader. He had a lifelong interest in the history, language and culture of Newfoundland and this was reflected in the composition of his library. Known for his kindly demeanor and gentle smile, he will be sorely missed, fondly remembered and eternally loved by his family and friends. Captain Tobin was rested at W.J. Dooley's Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant Street, North Sydney, N.S., Sunday, April 2, 7-9 p.m. and will be resting today (Monday), April 3, 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. Tuesday, at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, North Sydney, N.S., with Father Tom MacNeil officiating. Interment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery. Donations in his memory may be made to the Holy Cross Cemetery Fund.

Elizabeth Jane Strickland
100, Glace Bay
Elizabeth Jane Strickland, 100, of Seaview Manor and formerly Grant Street, Glace Bay, died at the Glace Bay Health Care Complex on Wednesday, Apr. 12, 2000. Born in Burnt Island, Nfld., she was the daughter of the late Henry and Lavinia (Edwards) Keeping. She was a member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, Glace Bay. Mrs. Strickland is survived by daughter Norma (Stanley) Peat, London, Ont., a son Robert, Guelph, Ont., also survived by seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Predeceased by her husband Chesley and a daughter Irene. There will be no visitation. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held Friday, Apr. 14, at the Kingdom Hall Of Jehovah's Witnesses, Glace Bay, at 2:30 p.m. with Richard Volkes officiating. lnterment will be in Forest Haven Memorial Gardens.

William (Bill) Thomey
78, Sydney
William (Bill) Joseph Thomey, 78, of 221 Cusack Dr., Sydney, died Monday, April 17, 2000, suddenly at home. Born in Harbour Grace, Nfld., he was the son of the late Matthew and Mary (Ryan) Thomey. He was a member of St. Theresa's Parish, where he was a member of the men's club and served as a Eucharistic minister. He was employed with Sydney Steel until he retired in March 1984. He was also an avid sportsman. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by three daughters, Judy MacDonald (Alex), Shelly Nardocchio (Carlo), Debbie Bryden (Lowell), two sons, David (Ellen) and Kevin (Judith), all of Sydney and 10 grandchildren. He is also survived by a sister, Margaret Thomey, Sydney and a brother, Henry (Harry) Thomey, Sydney. Bill was predeceased by his wife, Myrtle (Samms) Thomey and a brother, John (Jack) Thomey. The body will rest at T.W. Curry Parkview Chapel, today (Wednesday), 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral service will be held at St. Theresa's Church, Thursday, April 20 at 2 p.m. with Fr. A. MacDougall officiating. Interment will be in Resurrection Cemetery, Sydney Forks. Memorial donations may be made to the Diabetes Association or to a charity of your choice.

Douglas James Francis
70, Sydney
Doug Francis, 70, of 67 Stuart St., Sydney, died Thursday, April 20, 2000, at home. Born in St. John's Nfld., he was the son of the late Stewart Francis and Kathryn "Kitty" (Cantwell) Francis. He was a member of Immaculate Heart Parish, Mira Road. Doug was employed with the municipal government and was the clerk for Cape Breton County for 25 years. He was a member of the Seaview Golf Club, the Spanish River Seniors Club, the Men's Senior Bowling League and the Spanish River Bowling league. Doug was past president of both the Tower Heights Co-op and the Spanish River Seniors Club. He volunteered for the Meals on Wheels and was a past member of the board of directors for the Spanish River Community Centre. Doug was the Nova Scotia Co-ordinator for the Canadian Prostate Cancer Network. He is survived by his wife, the former Lorraine Shinners; two daughters, Carol (Paul) Gallaghar, Halifax and Kathy (Dave) Laite, Howie Centre; one son, Doug (Donna) Francis, Moncton; one brother, Bill (Sally) Francis, Ontario and seven grandchildren. He was predeceased by one grandson, Logan. The late Mr. Francis will have visitation for one day only, today (Saturday) from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the T.W. Curry Parkview Chapel. Funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. Monday in Immaculate Heart Church with Fr. Gary MacPherson officiating. Interment in Resurrection Cemetery, Sydney Forks. Family flowers only. Donations may be made to the Canadian Prostate Cancer Network, c/o Mr. Wally Seely, 3278 Lakefield Rd., P.O. Box 1253, Lakefield, Ont., K0L 2H0.

Isabel Burton
84, Marion Bridge
Isabel (Sweetland) Burton, 84, Marion Bridge, and formerly of 197 Lorne St., Sydney, passed away Friday, April 21, 2000, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney, surrounded by her family. Born in Harbour Grace, Newfoundland, she was a daughter of the late James and Mary Kate (Stevenson) Sweetland. Isabel is survived by two sons, Ralph (Patsy), Marion Bridge, and David (Bev), Howie Centre; one daughter, Betty (Peter) Story, Ontario; two sisters, Violet (Garland) Barnes, New Brunswick, Nellie (Colis) Hookey, Ontario. Also survived by 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Isabel was predeceased by her husband, Dan; one son, Edward; one grandson, Glenn; three brothers, Edward, Roland and Llewellyn and two sisters, Helen and Jesse. Visitation will be held in Sydney Memorial Chapel, today (Monday), 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. with funeral service in the chapel Tuesday, 1 p.m. with the Rev. Willis Henderson officiating. Interment in Forest Haven Memorial Gardens. Memorials may be made to the Canadian Lung Association.

Stanley Pink
73, Catalone
Stanley Pink, 73, of Catalone, passed away Wednesday, April 26, 2000, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born in Cape La Hune, Nfld., he was the eldest son of the late Hugh and Fannie (Lafosse) Pink. He fished his own boat, the Ann Elizabeth for many years, later becoming a supervisor at National Sea Products, Louisbourg. He spent most of his life in Cape Breton, first in Louisbourg, then in Catalone, where he retired in 1990. He was a member of St. Bartholomew's Church. He was also a member of the Orange Lodge Benevolent Society. He is survived by his loving wife, Nora (Keeping); three sons, David (Martha), New Boston Road, Stanley (Karen), Louisbourg, Conrad (Laura), Howie Centre; six grandchildren, Annie, Mary Lynn, Matthew, David, Lacey and Lindsay; two great-grandchildren, Jason and Alexandra; four brothers, Frank (Rose), Tom (Blanche), Archie (Eileen), Calvin (Jane), all of Newfoundland; six sisters, Jane, Louisbourg, Margaret (Clyde), Rosie (Gerald), Annie (Cyril), Millie (Les) and Loretta, all of Newfoundland. Also many nieces and nephews and in-laws that loved him like a brother and friend. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by a daughter-in-law, Germaine. Visitation will take place at St. Bartholomew's Anglican Church, Main Street, Louisbourg, 2-4, 7-9 p.m. Thursday and Friday 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Funeral services will take place Friday, 2 p.m. from St. Bartholomew's Church, Rev. Paul Finley officiating. Interment in Forest Haven Cemetery. Arrangements under the direction of the W.A. Chant Funeral Home. Donations may be made to the Nova Scotia Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Canadian Cancer Society.
"We will miss you Poppy, but you will be in our hearts forever."

Theresa Mary Connolly
86, Sydney Mines
Theresa Mary Connolly, 86, of 25 Fraser Ave., Sydney Mines, died Thursday, April 27, 2000, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney. Born in English Harbour West, Nfld., she was the daughter of the late George and Elizabeth (Power) Evans Fiander. She was a member of St. Pius X Parish, Sydney Mines. She is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth (Betty) Patterson, Halifax; a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews, including Lewis and Karen Rahey, Victoria, B.C. and Louis Morrison, North Sydney. She was predeceased by her husband, Adrian (Ad), sons, Fred (Hilda) and Adrian (Lorraine), brothers, Berkley Evans and Llewellyn Fiander and sisters, Lillian Currie and Blanche Rahey. There will be a family visitation only Sunday evening, 7-9 p.m. at G.R. Francis and Son Funeral Home, Sydney Mines. Funeral will take place Monday at 10 a.m. in St. Pius X Church with the Rev. Tony MacDonald officiating. Burial in St. Joseph's Cemetery. Donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.