Obituary of Joseph 'Joe' Hubert Rankin, Sydney/Glace Bay

Joseph “Joe” Rankin

Sydney/ Glace Bay

Joseph ‘Joe’ Hubert Rankin of Coxheath, born on November 24, 1943, passed away on March 6, 2018, in Palliative Care, An Cala, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital surrounded by his loving family.

 He was the son of the late, Bert Rankin and Kathleen (McGillivray) Rankin of Glace Bay. He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Effie (Mac Donald) Rankin,  his beloved children, Bill (Dana) Halifax, NS, Lisa (Fadey) Doha, Qatar along with his adoring grandchildren, Melanie, Daniel, Renee, great-grandchild, Alexis and step-grandson, Matthew.

Joe is the last surviving member of his immediate family and he was pre-deceased by his brother, Fr. Bill Rankin, sister, Margaret Mary (in infancy).  

Joe, in his early adult years, worked as a music teacher with McKnight’s School of Music in Sydney and Glace Bay. Joe served with the Naval Reserves and following that, he owned and operated a Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise in Greenwood, NS. Later, he returned to Cape Breton. Joe was a member of the Naval Veterans Association and through this he made many long-lasting friendships. Dad was an extremely talented musician who was skilled at playing various instruments, particularly bass and for decades he played in the local area with various bands, most recently with ‘Back In Time’. Our dad had such a love for music and was truly in his element while playing.

The family wishes to extend sincere thanks for all of the support they received from caring doctors, most notably, Dr. C Butler and Dr. S Abboud, nurses, clergy, hospital volunteers, family and friends who saw him through his final days. Donations can be made to An Cala at Cape Breton Regional Hospital and/ or the Cancer Society.

Visitation will be held at 6 to 9pm on Thursday March 8th ,2018 in V.J. Mc Gillivray Funeral Home, 16 Reserve Street, Glace Bay. A funeral mass will take place at St. Anne’s Church in Glace Bay at 10.am on Friday March 9th 2018. A reception will follow in the church foyer. Interment will be in St. Anne’s Cemetery.

 Online condolences to the family can be expressed at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca