Obituary of Carl Joseph Getto, New Waterford
Born in Inverness, Nova Scotia, in 1930, Carl passed away at home in New Waterford on May 28, 2017, surrounded by the people he loved. We said goodbye to a husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. His journey was long and hard but he is now at peace.
Carl's parents were Hungarian immigrant Joseph Getto and Margaree native Matilda Gillis. He was their only son but he had nine sisters who cherished him as their brother. He loved Inverness because he had a fun childhood playing baseball on the ball field in the centre of the Inverness Racetrack on upper Forrest Street. He was considered to be one of the best baseball players to have come out of Inverness; a standout third baseman playing for the Inverness Ravens. He is still remembered today for his baseball prowess by those who saw him play. Also it was during this time he developed his interest in horses and horse racing.
At the age of 20 along with his Inverness family, he moved to New Waterford to seek employment as a coal miner which he found in 16 Colliery. Carl retired as safety supervisor at Lingan Colliery. Carl wasn't long in New Waterford when he met his wife Gaga. He was immediately smitten and they were married after a short time. Their union created five sons and a daughter.
The family's love of horses drew them into the sport of harness racing. Carl owned many race horses throughout the past 60 years; many which his sons trained and drove. Harness racing was always a family affair. Every summer Carl, Gaga and the children travelled to Maine to follow the Maine State Fairs where they attended horse races at almost all of the dozen or so race tracks in Maine, watching the races, making new friends, and often purchasing a new race horse. No wonder their children always said they had fun parents. Harness racing was the family's passion. Because of their love for harness racing, both Carl and Gaga were inducted in the Cape Breton Harness Racing Hall of Fame.
Carl was also a man of great faith. For many years he was a daily church goer. His personality was to never speak ill of anyone. He was a fine singer, loved music, and had an interesting record collection.
Carl is survived by his loving wife Gaga, and children, Carl Jr. (Millie), daughter, Susan (Terry) MacSween, Leo (Wendy), Bradley, Dana, and Randy (Glenda); three beautiful granddaughters, Dana and Natalie MacSween, and Sally Getto; sisters, Sara Wellner, Fredericton and Hermine Getto, New Waterford. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, Carl was predeceased by sisters, Margaret Thurbide, Rose Habicht, Catherine Marchesin, Georgina MacDonald, Leonie Hadley, Matilda Blouin, and Sylvia Medjuck. He was also predeceased by in-laws, Leo and Irene (Prendergast) Timmons.
A celebration of his life will be held at the KOC Hall, Plummer Avenue, New Waterford on Thursday, June 1, 2017 from 1-3:30 pm. All are welcome. Donations in Carl's memory may be made to the Society of St. Vincent dePaul or a charity of one's choice. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca.
What is it all?
What is it all when all is told,
The ceaseless toiling for fame or gold.
The fleeting joy or the bitter tears?
We are only here for a few short years.
Nothing our own but the silent past,
Loving or hating, nothing can last.
Each pathway leads to the silent fold,
Oh! What is it all when all is told?
