Obituary of Daniel Gallant

Danny Gallant 100, New Waterford Daniel (Danny) Gallant died peacefully on Sunday, March 20, 2016 at the age of 100 in the An Cala Unit at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital with the family he loved at his side. With the help of his family, Danny was able to live independently in his own home, where he desperately wanted to be, until he entered the hospital on March 9th, 2016. Danny was a son of the late Delina (Roach) and Henry Gallant. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family. He was married to his beloved wife, the late Lucy (Chiasson) Gallant for sixty-six and a half years. Danny was an extremely proud, conscientious and hardworking coal miner, having worked at #12 and #16 Collieries in New Waterford for 37 years, retiring in 1970. Danny was also a guide at the Miner’s Museum in Glace Bay. He was a faithful and dedicated member of the United Mine Workers of America, at the #12 and #16 Locals and represented his fellow coal miners at numerous mining conventions. He was a devoted William Davis Memorial Day supporter and attended this event as faithfully as possible even at age 99. In his younger years, Danny was active in the local sports scene, especially baseball where he was presiding president over numerous ball clubs such as Little League Baseball, Amateur Ball with New Waterford Strands and N.W. Dodgers, and also Pro Baseball with local boys and imported players. Danny had been an avid fan of the New Waterford Hawks Softball team. Danny loved nature and the great outdoors, especially gardening, ice fishing and picking thousands of gallons of every berry God provided until the age of 97. He was totally content and peaceful in the solitude of the woods. Above all Danny loved his wife and family. He took tremendous pride in the accomplishments of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Danny treasured and cherished all their visits which were a source of joy and happiness in his life. Danny was a faithful member of the Parish of St. Leonard (formerly Mt. Carmel Church). He was an honorary member of the New Waterford Pensioners Club and a former member of Circle Evangeline French Club. He was once chosen as Citizen of the Week by the New Waterford Community Press. Danny is survived by daughters, Marie Gallant, Caribou River and Viola (Leo) Penny, Lingan and sons, Dr Charles Gallant (Yvonne), Antigonish, Dr. Wilfred Gallant, Windsor, Ontario and Gerard Gallant, Lower Sackville. Danny’s grandchildren are, Gisele Gallant, Kim Gallant, Jennifer Gallant, Shawna Penny, Mandy Gallant, Dr. Melanie Gallant, Dr. Steve Gallant, Frank Gallant, Robert Penny, Michael Gallant and Darryl Penny. Danny is also survived by great grandchildren, Kirsten, Rose, Carly, Sophie, Emma, Ceilidh, Lily, Maggie, Maura, Sawyer, Dylan, Cole, Naia, Finnigan, Noah, Connor and Morgan. Danny was predeceased by his wife, Lucy, sons, Joe (Jo-Jo) and Alex and twin daughter, Wilfredine. He was also predeceased by his brothers, Joe and Fidel and sisters, Viola Boudreau, Elizabeth (Liz) AuCoin and Minnie. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 380 Smith Street, New Waterford, where visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 22nd, 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm. A funeral mass celebrating Danny’s life will be held on Wednesday, March 23rd, at 1 o’clock in the Parish of St. Leonard Church, New Waterford. Celebrant will be Fr. Ray Huntley assisted by Danny’s son in law, Deacon Leo Penny. Burial in Mt. Carmel Cemetery. A reception will be held at the Carmel Centre following the Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Nora’s Home for the Disabled c/o Fr. Ray Huntley and to the An Cala Unit at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital or a charity of your choice. On line condolences to the family can be expressed at: www.vjmcgillivray.va Rest in the peace you so richly deserve Da!