Obituary of Alexander Gillis

It is with heavy hearts, that we announce the passing of our Dad, Alexander Gillis. Dedicated husband, father, grandfather and storyteller, he passed away peacefully at the age of 94, surrounded by his loving family, in the Camp Hill Veterans Memorial Building, Halifax, on Saturday October 26, 2024. Dad was born to the late Duncan and Margaret (Cameron) Gillis, on December 31, 1929, in New Waterford, Cape Breton. Growing up in a coal mining community, dad, like his father, worked in the mines at a young age. At the age of 21, he returned to school to receive his High School diploma, and soon after that, enlisted with the Royal Canadian Air Force as a Navigational Engineer, where he received the honour of the Queen’s Commission to officer. In later years, Dad worked for Household Finance, Border Brokers, and up until he retired at age 65, he was Atlantic Canada’s Operations Manager for Coles Express. An avid reader, champion bowler, #1 Blue Jays fan, meticulous wood worker, spine-chilling storyteller and accomplished author of “Hard Time Soup”, Dad was known for his kind, quiet elegance, sporting a Fedora, wherever he went. Dad is survived by his sons, Gerald (Bertha), Wayne (Linda); daughters, Susan (David), Melody (John), Debra (Kevin) and Rosemarie (Daniel); daughter-in-law, Jo-Ann; 16 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren; brother, Danny; and sister, Lois (Donnie) as well as several nephews and nieces. Besides his parents, he is predeceased by his wife, the love of his life, Prudence (Jollimore); sons, Douglas and John; grandchildren, Vincent and Michelle; brothers, John D, Duncan, Martin, Angus, Hughie, Jimmy, and Bernie; sister, Peggy. We would like to mention Dad’s trusted companion, up until his move to Camp Hill, his cat Smokey, who provided years of love and support to him, after Mom’s passing. Our immense gratitude goes to his private care giver and friend, Irma Schmid, as well as Brittany Sullivan, Kendra McCarthy, Sarah McCrory and the staff of 4 Eastwood, Camp Hill Veterans Memorial Building, for their care and support of dad, during his last years of life. A Memorial Service and reception to celebrate Dad’s life, will be held on Saturday November 2, 2024, 10:00 am - 12:30 pm, T.J. Tracey Cremation and Burial Specialists, 71 McQuade Lake Crescent, Beechville, NS, B3S 1C4. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Veterans’ Memorial Garden Fund, through the QE11 Foundation. “Although our lives’ journeys have bid us to be apart, I am with you, you are with me, Always in our hearts”