Obituary of George David McSween

It is with great sadness and regret that we announce the sudden passing of George McSween of New Victoria, on October 13, 2016 at the New Waterford Hospital surrounded by his loving family. Born in New Waterford on June 27, 1920, he was the son of the late Daniel and Mary Ann (MacNeil) McSween. George was predeceased by his wife of 58 years, Rose (MacIsaac) in 2004. George worked over 50 years as a Hoist Mechanic at Nos. 18 & 12 collieries as well as Lingan mine from where he retired in 1985. He had plenty of stories to tell about those working days and his memory never failed him right up to the end. Family was always the cornerstone of George’s life as he lost his father at a young age and helped to support his mother and then later he and Rose raised 10 children together. He was proud of his children’s achievements and enjoyed all the family celebrations and milestones, of which there were many, during his long life. Everyone marvelled at George’s good health and energy in his retirement years. He went for daily walks every day before the sun came up and worked tirelessly in his garden and yard to have it looking sharp for family pictures for the many events that took place there. The girls at Home Hardware in New Waterford will certainly miss George since he purchased most of his gardening supplies there with the gift cards he got for his many birthdays. George was the go to guy when anyone had a question about New Victoria. He had a great memory and his longevity made him the resident historian. Sunday dinners were still an event at the McSween household with George taking over the cooking after Rose passed away and it wouldn’t be out of the ordinary to have a dozen or more at the table. As usual he loved to be surrounded by his family, especially the grandchildren. George also found time to volunteer at the Joy program for several years, passing on his carpentry skill to the students. He is survived by three daughters, Rosemary "Honey" McSween, Peggy (Charlie) MacLellan, Paula (Jody) Rizzo; seven sons, George, Joe, Alex (Marguerite), Kevin (Karen), Lloyd (Claudette), Johnny (Heather), Lawrence (Marie); 22 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. Besides his parents and wife Rose, George was predeceased by a sister, Bertha; brothers, Johnny, Lawrence, Connie, and Daniel; daughters-in-law, Marguerite (Nugent) McSween and Margie (Moran) McSween. George will be sadly missed by all those who were fortunate to know him, for his storytelling, quick wit, and his dedication to family. We feel grateful and lucky to have had him in our lives for so long. Visitation will be held Sunday, October 16, 2016 from 5-8 p.m. at V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 380 Smith Street, New Waterford. A funeral mass of celebration will take place Monday, October 17 at 10 a.m. in the Parish Church of St. Leonard, Mount Carmel Avenue, with Father Ray Huntley officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, New Victoria, with a luncheon to follow at St. Leonard’s Parish Hall, Convent Street, New Waterford. Family flowers only. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Cape Breton Cancer Centre Patient Care Fund at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca.