Obituary of Joseph Meagher

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Joseph Meagher, age 99, on Tuesday, January 3rd, 2017, at Taigh Na Mara Veterans Wing, Glace Bay. Born in Brook Village on July 15th, 1917, he was the son of the late Lauchie and Catherine (Maclellan) Meagher of Brook Village, Nova Scotia. Joe served as a WWII Veteran as a member of the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada for a five year period. He was shot and wounded but managed to survive the ordeal. In March 2014, Joe was awarded the French Legion of Honour Medal for outstanding bravery in the Invasion of Normandy in 1944. He was honoured by the Government of France, by being awarded the rank of Knight for his contribution to the combat that lead to the liberation of France. Joe made a living for himself and his family for many years in the Hard Rock Mines of Northern Ontario. At one point in his life, Joe was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed such things as hunting and fishing. Joe was a great story teller. He enjoyed sharing his experiences when he was in the war and also his experiences as a hard rock miner. Joe was always quick to express his love for his birth place and always kept his Cape Breton culture alive when away from his cherished island. Over the years, Joe was very fortunate to enjoy life with two women that he loved with all his heart. He was predeceased by his first love, Violet (Mills) Meagher in 1981. Joe is survived by the second love of his life of 34 years, Isabelle (MacPherson) Meagher. Joe is also survived by his sister, Helen MacDonald; daughters, Josie (Roy) Johnson, Joan (John) Moran, Bonnie (Rick) Atherton; 12 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren. Besides his parents, Joe was predeceased by his son, Joseph Lauchlin; brothers, Jim, Allan, Donald, Nick, John. A, Francis, John D; and sister, Mary-Florence. A visitation will be held on Sunday, January 8th, 2017, from 6-9 p.m. at V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 380 Smith Street, New Waterford. A funeral mass, officiated by Fr. Ray Huntley, will be celebrated 10 a.m. Monday, January 9th, 2017, in the Parish Church of St. Leonard, Mount Carmel Ave., New Waterford. Burial will be in St. Michael Cemetery, River Ryan, with a luncheon to follow at the Knights of Columbus Hall, Plummer Ave., New Waterford. Memorial donations in the memory of Joseph Meagher can be made to Taigh Na Mara Veterans Wing, Glace Bay. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca.