Obituary of Ernest Christopher McKenzie

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and friend, Ernest McKenzie, age 90. Ernie a resident of Taigh Na Mara Nursing Home passed away at the Glace Bay Hospital on August 15, 2016, with his loving family at his side. Born in Glace Bay and a former resident of Poole Ave., he was the son of the late Charles and Ida (Dicks) McKenzie and was the last surviving member of his immediate family. He will be forever remembered for his gentle presence and dry humour. Ernest proudly served his country overseas for two years with the Canadian Armed Forces in Europe during WWII. He was a long-time employee with Devco; working in #20, #26, Lingan, Donkin and Phalen Collieries, retiring in 1986. He was a member of Royal Canadian Legion, Branch #3, Glace Bay and a member of the Reserve Mines Pensioners Club where he enjoyed playing in their dart League. Ernest will be sadly missed by his loving wife of 65 years, Helen (Coffin) McKenzie: sons Roy (Mary Ann) McKenzie, Victoria, BC; Maynard McKenzie, Sydney: daughter Linda McKenzie, Grand Prairie, AB: his six cherished grandchildren Margo, Kevin, Meghan, Scott, Natasha, Christopher: great grandchildren: Jade, Violet, Lexie, Maitri, Addison, and Preston. He will also be missed by his brothers and sisters in-law of the Coffin family; Norman, Donald (Shirley), James (Debbie), Kelvin (Eileen), all of Glace Bay Sara (Reg) Deveaux, Westmount, and Carol (Bob) Norsworthy, Caribou, ME. Besides his parents, Ernest also deeply mourned the passing of his daughter Anita McKenzie Riley in 2014; daughter Valarie in infancy; sister Sadie Warren; brothers, Laurence and Edison. At this time we would like to extend our thanks to Taigh Na Mara for their special care given to Ernie; the Glace Bay Hospital, 3rd Floor E and S nurses and doctors for keeping him comfortable with their expert care; and also to the CB Continuing Care, VON, and the Regional Hospital. Special thanks to Dr. Burns, Lynn Gillis of Palliative Care, Dr. Ley, Dr. Spencer and Dr. D’Intino. There will be no visitation. Cremation has taken place under the care and direction of V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 16 Reserve Street, Glace Bay. The funeral service will be held 2 pm, Friday, September 23, 2016. This celebration of life, officiated by Nancy Whitney-Latham DLM, will be celebrated in the V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home Chapel, 16 Reserve Street, Glace Bay. A reception will immediately follow in the funeral home. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Ernest’s memory may be made to the Hospice Palliative Care Society of Cape Breton County, or to a Charity of one’s choice. Online condolences to the family may be expressed at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca.