Gerald Joseph ‘Gerry’ MacGillivray
Funeral service for the late Gerald Joseph ‘Gerry’ MacGillivray, 92, Beaver Bank, formerly of Antigonish, was held January 10 in St. Ninian Cathedral, Antigonish, with Father Donald MacGillivray officiating. Burial will be in St. Ninian Cemetery at a later date.
Mr. MacGillivray died January 4, 2019, at home.
Readers at the funeral Mass were Philip Wright and Philip Dugandzic. Isaac Wright and Anton Dugandzic presented the offertory gifts. Music was provided by Emery van de Wiel, Kathy MacGillivray and Scott Williams.
Urn bearer was Philip Wright.
Born October 28, 1926, in New Glasgow, he was a son of the late Joseph A. and Mary ‘Molly’ (Ryan) MacGillivray. He went to high school in Moncton and joined the Air Cadets Squadron. In 1944, he enrolled at St. Joseph’s School in Memramcook, (University of Moncton) and graduated with a BA in 1949. It was at university where his love for painting blossomed and he became fluent in French. He earned his B.Ed. in 1951 at St.F.X. While in Yarmouth, he met Marie Hurlburt. They married in 1952 and spent several months in London, Ontario, where he was on staff at the NATO school. In the fall of 1951, he was commissioned as a flying officer in the Reserves after receiving training in the University Reserve Training Plan. In 1952, he accepted the position of Supervising Principal of Schools in West Pubnico. In 1956, he began teaching in Antigonish, where he raised his family. He returned to St.F.X. for post graduate studies in Education and received his MA in 1958. He taught at St. Andrew Rural High for 15 years, then was principal of Pomquet Acadian School for seven years. He completed his career teaching art in Antigonish County schools for 10 years. He continued teaching art for both young and old at St. F.X. in the Continuing Education Program. He enjoyed sailing, being outdoors, nature walks, ski trips and art excursions. An artist himself, he enjoyed teaching an evening oil painting class for many years. He had a keen interest in his Scottish heritage and was very community minded, serving in many organizations. He was past president of Clan MacGillivray Canada as well as regional director for Clan MacGillivray here in Nova Scotia. He was a member of Visual Arts Nova Scotia, Antigonish Highland Society, Antigonish Harbour Yacht Club, Guysborough Antigonish Pictou Arts Council and served as a lector at St Ninian Cathedral. After enjoying an active retirement, he spent his final years living with his daughter in Beaverbank.
He is survived by five daughters, Margaret, Antigonish; Kathy, Halifax; Maura, East Bay; Barbara (Philip Dugandzic), Halifax; Sheila (Philip Wright), Beaver Bank; eight grandchildren, Adam Whalen, Mairi, Anton, Julia and Anna Dugandzic, Isaac, Liam and Christian Wright; brother, Donald MacGillivray, Calgary.
He was predeceased by his wife, Marie; daughter, Joanne; two brothers, Fr. Jack MacGillivray, RCAF, Fr. Hugh MacGillivray, CSC; sister, Marie Neima.
Memorial donations may be made to Chalice Canada (101-26 Union Street, Bedford NS, B4A 2B5).
Online condolences: www.clcurry.com