ANDREW CORNELIUS GILLIS

A celebration of life for the late Andrew Cornelius Gillis, 71, Pinevale, Antigonish County, was held August 30 in St. Andrew’s District Community Centre.

Mr. Gillis died August 27, 2019, in St. Martha’s Regional Hospital, Antigonish.

He was a son of the late Andy and Frances (McKinnon) Gillis. He was in his element telling stories of his days working as a millwright at Stelco Steel in Hamilton, Ontario, befriending many and mastering some of the language and culinary skills of many cultures and ethnicities. He was always a champion for the underdog, a trait that bode well for him and one that he demonstrated so often at Union Local 1005. He enjoyed politics, hockey, martial arts, travelling, hunting, fishing, car racing, cooking (especially lobster) and gardening. After returning to Nova Scotia with his family and travelling the Atlantic provinces for his work, he retired to his home overlooking Gillis Lake, Pinevale. He took advantage of his time to brush up on the local folklore and genealogy with his father and sampling goodies and doing crosswords with his mother. He was proud of his children and grandchildren for their accomplishments academically, professionally, and physically.

He is survived by his spouse, Joy Bray; three daughters, Amy (Mike) Pimentel, Theresa (Jay) Shawana, Lacey (Ben) Hall; son, Andrew (Michelle) Gillis; son-in-law, Justin Cunha; 11 grandchildren, Kaidyn, Emmerson, Jacob, Tavin, Abilene, Dakota, Harper, Jack, Franklin, Andrew, Aaron; three sisters, Barbara (Alex) Hodgson, Brenda (Cecil) Angevine, Betty Gillis; brother, Jodey (Sharon) Gillis; many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and nephews; one great-great-niece; three great-great-nephews; the Bray family.

He was predeceased by daughter, Janet Cunha; brother, Donald, in infancy.

Memorial donations may be made to the SPCA.