Obituary of William Blair Locke, New Victoria

It is with great sadness we wish to announce the passing of William Blair Locke of New Waterford Highway, New Victoria, on July 17, 2023 at home with his loving family by his side.

Blair was born on December 29, 1956 the youngest child of Gerald and Maggie (Hogan) Locke. Growing up with one brother, three sisters, two wonderful parents, and a whole neighbourhood family "out the lake", he learned very quickly the need for honesty, loyalty and friendship; all qualities he both possessed and admired in the people he met.

Always willing to give a hand and a break to people experiencing a bad day, Blair always put his best game forward for everyone, most times reconciling their problem. 

While completing high school, he met his "best friend and soulmate for life" Josie (Gillis) and continued on to receive a carpentry certificate at Cape Breton Regional Vocational School. Doing odd jobs, he finally landed a steady job (for the next 22 years) working for the Cape Breton Development Corporation as a labourer and later shot fire. He loved working with his "Mining Brothers". Soon after, Wedding Bells were ringing. They continued to ring for 40 wonderful years. 

Never one to sit on idle hands, when the mine closed, Blair achieved a four position welding certificate, took a job at Two Rivers Wildlife Park, then AAA Heating until his retirement. Unfortunately, his body was already harbouring COPD and cancer. He put "everything" he had into this battle, but lost.

I know if you have ever met Blair in person, you were blessed. He was loving, compassionate, honest, loyal, hard working, smart, dependable, kind and loved a good laugh and time spent with his family and friends.The void he will leave in our lives is going to be unbearable for us all! Thank you "God" for loaning him to us. Time to rest now Blair. We will "never" stop loving you.

Blair left behind his devoted wife, Josie; his family, brother, Jerry; sisters, Sheila (Locke) McMaster, Noreen Basker and Barbie (Bill) MacInnis; in-law brothers, Sandy (Janice) Gillis, Duncan (Lynne) Gillis; in-law sisters, Mary (Paul) Currie, Patsy (Eric) Sutherland, Laurie Gillis, Susie (Paul) Hines, Jeannie Stevens, Marcie (Joey) Williams; a huge clan of nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly; many wonderful friends and neighbours; a dear friend, Bradley MacPherson, who he grew up with and considered his little brother and Dave Pike, his buddy from work.

Blair was predeceased by his parents, Gerald and Maggie Locke; in-law parents, Alex and Martha Gillis; brothers and sisters-in-law, Tommy Basker, Bobby Gillis, Lydia and Don MacLeod, Jenny and Pat Usher, Pauline Aucoin and Jamie Stevens.

There will be no visitation. Cremation has taken place under the care and guidance of V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, New Waterford. A Funeral Mass of celebration will be held on Tuesday, July 25 at 11 a.m. in the Parish Church of St. Leonard, Mount Carmel Avenue, with Father Godwin Obike officiating. A reception will follow at the Army, Navy, Airforce, Unit 217, New Waterford. Donations in his memory may be made to the Cancer Patient Care Fund at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca.