Obituary of Gregory 'Greg' Jude Boone

Our sadness is profound as we share the news of the passing of a kind and wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, father-in-law, uncle, cousin and brother-in-law on Tuesday morning, Jan. 3, 2017 at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital in Sydney. Born in New Waterford on April 18, 1936, Greg was the son of the late Catherine ‘Boonie' Boone. He was also predeceased by his uncle Mark Boone (Aggie), aunts, Sr. Rose Marie Boone, Sr. Helena Boone, Sr. Mary Ada Boone, father and mother in-law Bert and Ella MacGillivary and several sisters and brothers-in law. Survived by his wife of 59 years, Connie (MacGillivary); sons, Greg (Marilyn McNeil), New Victoria, Kenny (Fran), Pelly Crossing, Yukon, Robert (Jean McKeough), Westmount, Glen (Nicole Patterson), Greenhill, N.S., Brian (Anne Marie), Lower Sackville, N.S.; grandchildren, Rowan, Ainslie, Bhreagh, Haley, Liam, Erica, Kelsey, Areta, Cairan, Josh, Carl, Quentin, Ryan, Carleton; great-grandchildren, Rosie and Kennedy; cousin Jack Boone (Suzanne Quain), Clearwater, Fl.; sisters-in-law, Isabel MacGillivary (Herbie-deceased), South Bar, Phyllis MacGillivary (William-deceased), Dartmouth; sister and brother-in-law, Cecilia and Tom Nearing, Guelph, Ont.; many nieces and nephews with whom he had close, life-long relationships. Dad enjoyed a teaching career at AVTC/NSCC in Sydney and through retirement ‘Greg and Connie’ travelled from coast, to coast, to coast, exploring Canada, visits to New England and many winters in Florida. His caring nature and love of family was unconditional. Family vacations, social gatherings, love of nature, fishing, hunting, camping, bird watching, star gazing, organic gardening, craft distilling, reading and fixing things brought him great joy. Dad’s love and devotion to his wife and family was unwavering. A person of great faith, Dad was a Third Degree Member of the Knights of Columbus and a life-long honorary member of Council 3209 New Waterford. He lived and loved life to the fullest and always put family first. Known as engaging and the life of any gathering, we miss him deeply. He served previously as president of the former Mount Carmel Parish Council, the cemetery committee and was a eucharistic minister. He was past President of the Children’s Aid Society of Cape Breton-Victoria. He also worked on the successful New Waterford Consolidated Hospital fund raising campaign committee and was a former local president for the NSGEU. With a keen interest in politics, he was a life-long supporter of the provincial and federal Progressive Conservatives. Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held Friday, Jan. 6 from 6-9 pm at V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 380 Smith St., New Waterford. KoC members will gather for prayers at 7 p.m. Funeral mass of celebration will take place on Saturday, Jan. 7, at 10 a.m. in the Parish Church of St. Leonard, Mt. Carmel Avenue, New Waterford. Burial will be in St. Alphonsus Cemetery with a luncheon to follow at the KoC Hall, Plummer Avenue. Family flowers only. Charitable donations can be made to Nova Scotia Heart and Stroke, or the Cancer Patient Care Fund through the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca. Our family extends sincere thanks to the many health care professionals in New Waterford and Sydney for their care and compassion over the years and during his recent illness. Thank you also to Father Paul McGillivray for spiritual care and friendship and to niece Susan Moyers who came home to provide compassionate palliative care to dad during his brief illness. Memories don’t fade, they just grow deeper for the one we love. Treasured always in our memories. "Love you forever Dad. Rest in peace" Connie, boys and families. ________________________________