Obituary of Wilfred Francis Gillard

It is with profound sadness that we the family of Wilfred "Willie" Gillard, age 89, regretfully announce his peaceful passing on Monday, December 19, 2016, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney. Born in Glace Bay on September 25, 1927, Willie was the son of the late Gordon and Veronica (Brown) Gillard. He was a long-time member of St. Leo’s Parish and upon its closure he became a member of St. Anne’s Parish. Willie was instrumental in the founding and building of the North Street Athletic Club in the early 50’s; holding various executive positions over the years. He was a long-time member of the North Street A.C. Intermediate "A" softball team in the 1950’s and 1960’s. He also coached and managed various North Street A.C. youth softball teams in the 1960’s and 1970’s In the 1940’s, Willie played youth hockey with St. Anne’s and the Y.A.C. and later went on to play with the Glace Bay Junior Miners hockey team. He enjoyed playing darts, was avid bowler and was also president of the Glace Bay Commercial Bowling League. Willie was a master baker for over 50 years and passed these skills onto his children and fellow workers. He worked at Phalen’s Bakery, Glace Bay for many years and eventually opened his own bakery in his home. As a master baker, Willie passed these skills to his son Harold who eventually opened his own bakery business in Sydney. Willie also worked for Sobeys Inc. for many years and while there he was a mentor and trained many aspiring bakers for them. Willie retired from Sobeys as a valued and trustworthy employee. He was a regular volunteer for the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign, he was a strong Liberal supporter working tirelessly at all levels of government and he was a man of many talents who also worked as a bartender and taxi driver. He enjoyed sports and loved his Blue Jays and Montreal Canadiens. Left to mourn are his children: Marguerite (Barry) Verbeski, Sandy (Cathy), Harold (Anita), Francis (Cathy), Ontario, Theresa (Bruce) Addicott, Ontario, Joan Toomey; 15 grandchildren, especially his three granddaughters Jaime, Marianne and Veronica Toomey, to whom he was like a second father; siblings Pat Winstanley, Helen Holland, Marilyn Dellaire, Joyce LeBlanc, Shirley Morrison, Gordon "Chum" Gillard. Willie will also be dearly missed by his wife Margaret (Madden) Gillard and her children Margie Meechan, Debbie Johnston (Ken Shea) and Michael (Bernadette) Madden and their children. He also leaves behind numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends. Besides his parents, Willie was also predeceased by his wife of 49 years, Mary Frances (MacPherson) Gillard, son in-law Michael "Mick" Toomey, sister Sara "Belle" Simmons and brother in-law Pat MacPherson. Visitation for Willie will be held from 3pm to 7pm on Thursday December 22, 2016, in V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 16 Reserve St. Glace Bay. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10 am, Friday December 23, 2016 at St. Anne Church with Fr. Leo Boone officiating. Following the funeral mass all are invited to meet with Willie’s family at a reception in the church foyer. Interment will be in Forest Haven Memorial Gardens, at a later date. Memorial donations in Willie’s memory may be made to a charity of one’s choice. Online condolences to the family can be expressed through www.vjmcgillivray.ca