BILLARD, Samuel
The Cape Breton Post, March 17, 2012
Born In: Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada
Born: October 27th, 1924
Passed in: Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada
Passed on: March 16th, 2012
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Gordon Billard on Friday, March 16, 2012, at home. He was born on Oct. 27, 1924, Glace Bay, to the late Ernest and Freda (Payne) Billard. Gordon worked for Thompson and Sutherland until 1966 and until his retirement in 1984 he taught at the Regional Vocational School and ran a corner store from his home. He was an active community member, he loved ice fishing, skating, dancing and bowling. He enjoyed many summers in Big Pond. He was active as an usher at the Savoy Theatre and on the board of directors of resicare. He served overseas in the Second World War.

Surviving are his children, son, Ross, Hailfax; daughters, Rosanne (Frank) Campbell, Whycocomagh, Mary Eileen, Sydney, Ruth (Phillip) Crowdis, Dartmouth; grandchildren, Bridget, Corrinne, Lohen, Tess and Falyn; brothers, Gerald (Ruby), Jack (Ann), Donald (Rosella) and Ray; sisters, Dorothy (James) Munden, Eileen (Blaise) Bigley, Bette and Beverly; special niece and caretaker, Diane Munden. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his wife of 50 years, Eileen; infant son, Terry; brothers, Arthur (Lexie), Charles; sisters, Ernestine and Joan. The family will receive guests at the family home, 32 Water St., Glace Bay from 2-9 p.m. A funeral service will be celebrated on Monday, March 19 at 11 a.m. in St. John the Baptist Church, Glace Bay, with the Rev. Leo Boone officiating. A reception will take place after the service at the Savoy Theatre. Interment will be in Forest Haven Memorial Gardens. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family at jmcurry@ns.sympatico.ca
Bill's Note: Samuel's parents were Ernest Billard and Alfreda Payne. They were married in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia on March 31, 1924. Ernest was the son of Samuel Billard and Elizabeth Harvey both from Newfoundland. Alfreda's parents were Samuel Payne from Newfoundland and Hannah Moore.

DURDLE, Earl 'Diddy'
The Cape Breton Post, March 10, 2012
Born In: New Melbourne, Newfoundland, Canada
Born: September 14th, 1915
Passed in: Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada
Passed on: March 1st, 2012
Family and friends are saddened to announce of the loss of a great man with the passing of Earl 'Diddy' Durdle. Diddy peacefully passed away March 1, 2012, at his residence in the Harbourstone Enhanced Care facility, Sydney. He will live long in the hearts of everyone who knew him or had contact with him over the course of his 96 years. Those who knew him were charmed with his wit, his passion for storytelling and his remarkable ability to recite poetry.

Diddy was born in New Melbourne, Nfld., to George and Melina (Thorne) Durdle and was the eldest of 11 children. He was self-educated and had an insatiable love of literature. At age 14, he went to work in the coal mines in New Waterford to help the family during the Depression. He worked hard, was promoted to underground management and was also a dragger man. Those who worked with Diddy spoke highly of him. He loved the work, often noting that the comradery experienced in the pit was like no other. When he retired in 1974, he took up residence in his favorite place on the planet, his cottage in Pt. Michaud. He loved to walk the beach. He lived there until becoming ill in 2000 when he moved to Sydney to live with his daughter Brenda. He was able to continue to visit at Pt. Michaud until the last few years, which he spent at Harbourstone. When his dear friend Edward Madden passed away, Diddy took over Edward's role as Mayor of Pt. Michaud. His door was always open and he trusted everyone; he was generous and honest. He had a great sense of humour and loved to make people feel good.

Diddy was married to Josephine 'Jo' (Johnstone) Durdle, the love of his life, who passed away in 1969. He leaves behind his loving daughter, Brenda (Jim MacDonald); brothers, Len (Gladys) and Bernie (Brenda) and sister, Winnie (Tom) Ball. His loss will be deeply felt by his extended family of nieces and nephews, their children and members of his Madden family at Pt. Michaud and his many friends of all ages. Besides his wife Jo and his parents, he was also predeceased by sisters, Belle (John) Pyke, Myrtle (Rod) MacDonald and Hazel and brothers, Ches (Effie), Norman (Freda), Edward (Eileen) and Allister 'Diddle' (Tootsie).

Cremation has taken place under the direction of V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 380 Smith St., New Waterford. With respect to Ditty's wishes there will be no visitation or funeral service. His firm request was that Pt. Michaud be his final resting place. This will take place at some, as yet, undetermined time this summer. Diddy's preferred charity was the Multiple Sclerosis Society, but he would be happy if you were to make memorial donations in his memory to any charity of your choice.
Diddy, quoting Tennyson, said many times, "Let there be no moaning at the bar…when I embark".
Online condolences to the family can be expressed at www.vjmcgillivray.ca

GENGE, Raymond
The Cape Breton Post, March 8, 2012
Born In: Port aux Basques, Newfoundland, Canada
Passed in: Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada
Passed on: March 6th, 2012
John and Shirlee (Genge) Cruickshank and family of Point Edward, wish to announce the passing of Raymond Victor Genge on Tuesday, March 6, 2012, at Taigh Na Mara nursing home, veterans wing, where Ray had been a resident for the past seven years. Born in Port aux Basques, N.L., Ray served in the Second World War as a gunner and lived the rest of his life in P.E.I. as an entrepreneur, over the years owning and operating a service station, restaurants and the DeSable Motel until his retirement.

Ray was predeceased by his wife, Daisy (Hambly) in 1984. Ray leaves behind his son, Roy (Veda), Charlottetown; grandchildren, Nicole, Kamala and Raylee; and daughter, Shirlee (John) Cruickshank, Point Edward, and grandchildren, Jonathan, Joel-Raun and Chelsea. Dad will be returning to his beloved P.E.I., where he will be laid to rest from MacLean Funeral Home in Charlottetown. The family would like to thank family and friends for all their generous love and support. Special thanks to the staff of Taigh Na Mara for the compassionate and wonderful care that was given to Ray. In his "Home by the Sea," you made his difficult walk all that much easier. Thank you for assisting to retain his dignity. Shirlee wants to acknowledge how much she has appreciated friends and acquaintances inquiring as to her dad's well being. These simple gestures of care and concern provided comfort through these last years. Thank you "Cape Breton" for welcoming and taking great care of Ray through these years.

KOHLER, Pastor Mary
The Cape Breton Post, March 14, 2012
It is with deep sadness we announce the passing of Rev. Mary Louise Kohler at Birmingham, Alabama, USA, on March 7, 2012, after a brief illness. A native of Fortune, Nfld., she was the daughter of the late Gordon and Myrtle (Bruce) Hillier. She is survived by her loving husband of 29 years, John Kohler; children, Jacqueline Johnson Klein (Mark), Texas, Kelly Johnson Murphy (Steve), Sean Johnson, Christina Johnson Cole (Michael) and two grandchildren, Austin Cole and Kaitlyn Cole, Alabama; sisters, Beverly Aucoin (Mark), New Waterford, Marilyn Pettipas (Casper), Fort Saskatchewan, Alta., Colleen Perry (Bucky), Russell, Man.; brothers, Gordon, Carl (Greta), Evan (Karen), Cecil (Carol), of North Sydney, David (Debra), Bridgewater, N.S., Roland (Laverne), Prince George, B.C. and Eric (Gisela), Edmonton, Alta. She was predeceased by her first husband, Gerald Johnson; brother, Albert and stepfather, William Bruce. Services were held at Trussville, Alabama, on March 9 with interment at the Klein Memorial Park and Mausoleum, Houston, Texas.

LUCAS, John
The Cape Breton Post, March 15, 2012
Born In: St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada
Born: February 26th, 1931
Passed in: Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia, Canada
Passed on: March 14th, 2012
It is with deepest sympathy that we announce the gentle passing of our beloved father, husband, grandfather, brother, comrade and most of all, friend, John Canning Lucas, on Wednesday, March 14, 2012, in the Veteran's Wing of Harbour View Hospital. His departure is one that is to be lamented, as well as celebrated by each and every person who has had the pleasure and honour to have known him during his short time on this earth.

Born in St. John's, Nfld. on Feb. 26, 1931, John was the son of the late Thomas and Gladys (Howell) Lucas. Having served his country overseas for 10 months during the Korean War, John 'Johnnie' Lucas was very committed to not only his country, but also his friends and family. John was the "go-to guy" during his time with the legion, and many remember his days as Sergeant at Arms, when he would bark out demands whilst leading the many parades throughout the town of North Sydney. John also pounded the pavement for many years delivering poppies to those unable to serve their country, but still wishing to make an act of remembrance.

During his years of work, John wore many hats which included steward for the CN Marine, carpenter, commissionaire, and probably his most cherished role of all, soldier. Dad was very active with the Korea Veterans' Association, and took great pride in attending each and every meeting and reunion in order to make it known that although war is a terrible thing, sometimes we have to do what is necessary for the betterment of our country.

John leaves behind his loving wife of 60 years, Margaret (Connolly) Lucas, along with his six children, John (Eva), Dauphin, Manitoba, Michael (Bernice), Cheticamp, Debbie (Charlie Young), Stoney Creek, Ont., Patsy (Winston Spencer), Dartmouth, Randy (Linda), Groves Point, and Bonita, North Sydney; as well as many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, friends and comrades around the world. If dad could be remembered for one thing in this world, it would be his undying commitment to doing everything he ever did to the fullest. His favourite saying was, "If you are going to do something, do it right, or don't even bother doing it at all!" We miss your smile, and most of all your inability to finish those jokes you loved to try to tell. We also miss your ability to remain calm when it seemed that everything around you would crumble and fall to pieces. So, even though we are saying so long for now, we know it won't be long before we meet again in that place above where there will be ample fish to catch, cook and eat every single day. Love you!

Special thanks to Dr. Bill MacDonald and Dr. Andrew Wawer, as well as the loving, enduring staff of Harbour View Facility who made every day of dad's short stay a real treat. If there was ever a place outside of your home you could genuinely call "Home", this was and is the place. There will be no visitation. Cremation has taken place under the care and direction of J. M. Jobes Funeral Home, Sydney Mines. His ashes will be buried in the Field of Honours, St. John's, Nfld. at a later date. Words of comfort may be sent to the family at jmjobesfuneralhome@ns/aliantzinc.ca
As dad's last wish, he wanted to be remembered for the man he was, and so, in memory of dad any and all donations to veterans here and around the world would be greatly admired and appreciated.

TOMPKINS, Kathleen "Kay" (Sears)
The Cape Breton Post, March 30, 2012
Born In: Great Codroy, Newfoundland, Canada April 26th, 1923
Passed in: Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada March 28th, 2012
Kathleen Mary "Kay" (Sears) Tompkins, 88, of the R.K. MacDonald Nursing Home, Antigonish passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 28, 2012, at the nursing home.

Born in Great Codroy, Nfld., on April 26, 1923, she was a daughter of the late Jeremiah and Monica (Downey) Sears. She attended school in the Codroy Valley and graduated from Memorial University of Newfoundland in 1941. After graduation, she taught for three years in the Codroy Valley and later in the Antigonish school system (Lanark/Malignant Cove) until her marriage to John Tompkins on Sept. 3, 1947. Kay enjoyed crocheting, knitting, visiting her many relatives in the area, and dancing with her beloved husband.

Kay is survived by her husband of 65 years, John. She is also survived by her five children and their spouses, James (Ronalda), Athens, Ohio; Claire (Ralph) Downey, London, Ontario; Maureen (George) Robinson, Harbour Grace, Nfld.; Brian (Anita), Calgary, Alta. and Patricia (Steve) Maudsley, Calgary, Alta.; her 10 grandchildren, Geoff, Jennifer, Shane, Lisa, Colleen, Andrew, Anna, Eileen, Bridget, and Sean; three step-grandchildren, Jenifer, Heather and Alecia; six great-grandchildren, Colin, Keira, and Anna, Daniel, Aaron, and Emma; her brother, Jack and her extended family of nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her brothers, Thomas and Andrew and sisters, Mary, Clara, Carmela and Rita.

Visitation will be held Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. in the C.L. Curry Funeral Home, 135 College St., Antigonish. Funeral mass will be held Saturday in St. Ninian's Cathedral at 10 a.m., with Rev. Tom MacNeil presiding. Burial in the parish cemetery at a later date. Family flowers only, please. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Antigonish Food Bank or the R.K. MacDonald Nursing Home Foundation appreciated. Online condolences: www.clcurry.com

WAYE, Trudy (Feener)
The Cape Breton Post, March 19, 2012
Born In: Bishop Falls, Newfoundland, Canada
Passed in: Westmount, Nova Scotia, Canada
Passed on: March 16th, 2012
It is with broken hearts and deep sadness that we the family announce the passing of Trudy Dorothy Christine Waye at home surrounded by her loving family on Friday, March 16, 2012. Born in Bishop Falls, Newfoundland, she was the daughter of Mr. John Feener, Sydney and the late Elsie Goldine (Graham) Feener. Trudy was a fun loving person who enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. She loved to sing, listen to music, to play darts and to go to karaoke. Trudy will be sadly missed by all who knew her. Trudy is survived by her loving sons, Derek (Sherry) O'Neil, Westmount, Cory O'Neil, Sydney; her precious grandchildren, Cody, Dillon, Jocelyn, Kyla, Preston, Kieonna and Noah. She is also survived by her sister and best friend, Joanne (Lorne) Bonnar, Sydney; brothers, Melvin (Patsy) Feener, British Columbia, Leslie (Sharon) Feener, Sydney, Johnnie (Lynn) Feener, Loiusdale, Barry (Cheryl) Sydney; many nieces and nephews as well as her longtime friend, Francis O'Neil 'Peewee'. The family would like to specially thank Hannah for all that she has done for Trudy. Thank you to the staff palliative care for your compassion and care given to Trudy during her illness. Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held Tuesday, March 20, 2012, at the S.W. Chant & Son Funeral Home, 564 Alexandra St., Sydney, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. A memorial service will take place 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 21, 2012, at the S.W. Chant & Son Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Ron Coole officiating. Interment to follow in Resurrection Cemetery, Sydney Forks. Online condolences may be sent to our web page at www.chantfuneralhome.com