Gerald Christopher Gillis

Funeral service for the late Gerald Christopher Gillis, 90, Aberdeen, Cape Breton, was held May 29 in Little Narrows Presbyterian Church with Reverends Peter MacDonald and Lydia MacKinnon officiating. Burial was in Gillis Cove Cemetery. Mr. Gillis died May 24, 2019, in Alderwood Rest Home, Baddeck. Born November 2, 1928, in Ashfield, Cape Breton, he was a son of the late Donald and Christy (Ferguson) Gillis. From an early age, hard work was important in his everyday life; helping on the family farm, alongside his father; learning the blacksmith trade, working in the logging industry and driving a truck for highway projects. At 20, he ventured to Toronto on the train from Orangedale and completed a certificate in welding, which led him to a career with Little Narrows Gypsum. During his 37 years there, he taught first aid, took the lead on their safety programs, and worked his way up to quarry general foreman, at the time of his retirement. The company achieved the top award for safety many times, while he was there, which made him very proud. Following retirement, he enjoyed doing landscaping with his dozer, working in his garage painting cars, helping family with various projects and being an active community volunteer. He was a long-standing member and elder of Little Narrows Presbyterian Church, holding the clerk of session position for more than 25 years. He and his wife Jessie were very committed to their church family and worked together on several committees and fundraising events for many years. He was a member of the Causeway Shriners and Sircom Lodge 66 for over 50 years. He was a recipient of the Masonic Order of Meritorious Service given for outstanding service, dedication and achievement. He was also a member of Celtic Star Chapter #19 OES (formerly Dr. Gordon MacLeod Chapter #37) with whom he received his 50-year jewel. He is survived by four children, Brian (Louise), New Glasgow; Kerry (Sandra), Fletchers Lake; Geraldine (Gary) MacKenzie, Aberdeen; Sally (William) MacLean, Fall River; 10 grandchildren, Natalie (Tyler) Ross, Ashley (James) Rathbun, Erin (Brent Turnbull) Gillis, Jennifer (Bryan) Hickman, Justin Gillis, Steven Gillis, Christy MacKenzie, Garrett MacKenzie, Erica (Luca Muratori) MacLean, Colin MacLean; sister, Eleanor MacDonald; several nieces and nephews; brother-in-law, Norman (Kay) Beeson; two sisters-in-law, Anna Gillis, Bernice Beeson. He was predeceased by his wife of 55 years, Jessie; son, Robert, in infancy; brother, Neil; in-laws, Arthur, Sadie Beeson; five brothers-in-law, Duncan MacLeod, John MacDonald, Dan Hughie Beeson, Peter Beeson, Murdoch Gillis; sister-in-law, Sadie Beeson; niece, Cheryl Gillis; nephew, Robbie MacLeod. Memorial donations may be made to Little Narrows Presbyterian Church or Gillis Cove Cemetery. Online condolences: www.haverstocks.com