Fraser, Rosemary Elaine - 79 YRS
The Cape Breton Post, December 12, 2018
Born: May 17, 1939
Passed: December 10, 2018
Rosemary Elaine Fraser, born May 17, 1939 in St. John's Newfoundland, daughter of Mary (Adey) and Herbert Stanley, died December 10, 2018 in Sydney, NS surrounded by her family after a period of declining health. Rosemary left Newfoundland at the age of 17 to study music at Mount Allison University. There she met and married her beloved husband of 59 years, Peter Fraser. In 1964 they moved to Sydney where she had a long and distinguished career as a church organist and choir director at Christ Church Anglican Church in Sydney, and as a private teacher of piano and music theory. She was also a dedicated volunteer at the Cape Breton Kiwanis Festival of Music, Speech and Drama. A passionate advocate of women's education, she later joined the Canadian Federation of University Women, serving as president for a time. She was an avid gardener and delighted in watching her perennial garden grow and develop each year. She was a great traveler and a voracious reader who enjoyed her book club and the women she met there.

Rosemary was a patient mother and was a mother figure to many young people who needed a kind heart and an understanding ear; she had a wonderful sense of humor. She raised her children to be independent thinkers and most importantly to be kind.

Rosemary is survived by her loving husband, Peter; her sister, Pauline Wadland; her brother, Herbert Stanley (Sandy); her children, Katherine, Hugh, Margaret, Jamie and Jennifer (Laura); as well as many nieces and nephews. The funeral will take place at the Church of Christ the King with Rev. Mr. Glen Kent officiating on Friday, December 14 at 2 p.m. with a reception to follow. Many thanks to all the physicians, nurses and respiratory therapists who took such good care of her, and particularly to Dr. Susan MacLeod. Family flowers only please. Donations may be made in her memory to the following charities dear to her heart: The Cape Breton Kiwanis Festival of Music, Speech and Drama, PO Box 471, Sydney, NS B1P 6H4; the Heart Lung Wellness Program, 200 Churchill Drive, Sydney, NS B1S 2B3 or the Church of Christ the King, 19 Trinity Avenue, Sydney, NS B1P 4Z4. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.twcurry.com

Leemet (Burton), Edith June - 79yrs
The Cape Breton Deaths January 02, 2019
With sadness we announce the death of Edith June Burton Leemet on Dec 22, 2018, at the Hospice Niagara, St. Catharines, ON following a brief battle with cancer. Edie was born on Feb 14, 1939, in Rose Blanche, NL. At age eleven her family relocated to Glace Bay, NS. There she attended Brookside, Central and Morrison High School. After finishing school, she enrolled in the 3-year nursing program at the Glace Bay General Hospital School of Nursing, graduating in the class of 1959. She worked for one year at the Glace Bay General Hospital before relocating to St. Catharines, ON and accepted a position at St. Catharines General Hospital.

She met and married her husband Keijo Leemet. After her children were grown, she returned to nursing at Shaver Niagara Hospital. She was predeceased by her parents, Will and Mabel Burton; her brother, Johnny B in 1942, and her daughter, Kathy 3 years ago. She is survived by her husband, Keijo; her daughter, Joann and her husband, Tony Lidstone and their children, Jacob, Nick and Loren. Her son John and his wife Tracey and their daughters, Kalie and Abbie. Her brother, Brent Burton and his wife Margie (Knowles) and their children, Danny, Anna and Jamie. She was also survived by her sister, Kaye and her husband, Joe McInnis and their children Bill, Joe, Tim and Glen. Edie was a devout member of the Anglican Church. Funeral services were held on Dec 27, 2018, at Transfiguration Anglican Church, St Catharines, ON. Cremation has taken place.

Sparkes, Melvin John
The Cape Breton Post, December 14, 2018
Passed: December 12, 2018
We, the family of the late Melvin Sparkes, regret to announce his sudden but peaceful passing on Wednesday, December 12, 2018, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital. Mel was born in Cornerbrook NL and resided in Florence for the remainder of his years. Mel had a great sense of humor, even sarcastic at times, but always to the point. He devoted his life to working hard and taking care of his family. Nothing meant more to Mel then taking care of the ones he loved. Mel lived a quiet life after the passing of his beloved Mary.

Mel spent many years working in Ontario at Toronto Transit Commission and retired from Devco's Prince Mine, where he made many great friends over the years. He enjoyed learning to cook these past few years and became really good at it. He also liked to keep up with the news of the day and had a keen interest in politics and hockey. Mel was always up for a good conversation.

Mel is survived by his daughters, Dianne, Debbie (Bob), Denise and daughter-in-law, Wendy. He is also survived by brothers, Ernie (Georgette), Gerald, and Woodrow (Sharon); grandchildren, Jason, Melanie, Jennifer, Jillian, Norm, Melody, Bob, Dwayne and Christopher and 17 great-grandchildren. Mel was predeceased by his parents, John & Violet (Young) Sparkes; his wife, Mary (Steffens); his son, Mel Sparkes; grandson, Nick; sisters, Evelyn Sparkes, Audrey Harris, and Shirley Crane, and brothers, Donald, Garfield, Roy, Winston, Carmen and Gordon.

The family would like to thank all the ER staff at Cape Breton Regional Hospital, along with his family doctor, Dr. Andrew Wawer and his staff for the compassion and care they showed Dad over the years. Mel was one of a kind and will be dearly missed by all who had the pleasure to know him and will find comfort being together again with Mary.

Cremation has taken place. Mel's family will receive visitors on Sunday, Dec. 16 from 2-3 p.m. followed by a Celebration of Life at 3 p.m.in J. M. Jobes Funeral Home, Main St., Sydney Mines, with Major Corey Vincent officiating. Words of comfort may be forwarded to his family at www.jmjobesfuneralhome.com
Now that the distractions of the day have slipped into the quietness of the night I now feel the true emptiness that life without you brings. Praying that God has enough Captain Morgan's in heaven. Take er cool Pa.

Thomas, Malida (Mauger) - 101yrs
The Cape Breton Post, December 12, 2018
Born: July 15, 1917
Passed: December 10, 2018
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Malida Thomas, age 101, our beloved mother, grandmother, aunt and friend, on Monday, December 10, 2018 at the Northside General Hospital. Born in Petites, Newfoundland, July 15, 1917, Malida was the daughter of the late Cyrus and Edith (Strickland) Mauger. She was a member of St. Matthew Wesley United Church and was the last surviving member of her immediate family. Malida is survived by her daughter, Edith Moulton; her son, Wayne Thomas and daughter-in-law, Deborah (Rudio) Thomas and her granddaughter, Dinah (Kris) McNeil; several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her loving husband, Percy Thomas in 1966; by her sisters, Pearl (Jim) Billard, Anne (Albert) Thomas, Bessie (Percy) Reid, Mary (Norman) Strickland and Ruby, also by her three brothers in infancy and her son-in-law, Ford Moulton. The family would like to thank the staff of Cape Breton Regional Hospital, also 5th Floor at Northside General Hospital and a special thank you to Dr. John Kirkpatrick for the excellent care given to Malida. In keeping with Malida's wishes there will be no visitation. A private service will be held for family and friends in the W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant St., North Sydney. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia or to a charity of choice. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.wjdooley.com

WALSH, William - 92yrs
The Cape Breton Deaths January 02, 2019
Passed: December 30, 2018
William Bill Walsh, age 92 of East Bay, formerly of St. John's NL and St. Stephen, NB, passed away on Sunday, December 30, 2018 at the Northside General Hospital, North Sydney. He was the son of the late Agatha and Joe MacIsaac. Bill was a veteran of the Second World War, serving in the Army. He was a very active man, he chaired many boards and organizations including the Lion's Club in St. John's, NL. He was known for his generosity within the Red Cross for his frequent donations of his rare blood type, receiving many plaques of appreciation. He was a good man who cared for his family and loved his children dearly. Bill was married to the love of his life, Mary, for over 37 years, before she passed away in the early 90's. He is survived by his sons, Stephen, Joseph (Connie) and Edward; grandchildren, Adrienne, Eleanor, Bryce and Gavin and one great-grandchild, Raven. He was predeceased by his wife, Mary and son, John. Cremation has taken place. A small gathering will be held at T.W. Curry Parkview Chapel on Thursday, January 3, 2019 from 2-4 p.m. Interment to follow in Newfoundland at a later date. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.twcurry.com