Passed away peacefully in Inverness Consolidated Memorial Hospital with his family by his side on Thursday, May 3, 2018.
Collie was born on May 1, 1928. He was the son of the late Colin and Annie Mae (Gillis) MacDonell. “Little” Collie was known for his extensive knowledge and love of genealogy and for being generous and selfless with his time. Over the years, he has been called upon by people from all corners of the globe to help track down information about their ancestral homes, family burial plots and long-lost relatives. As a result, there were many road trips and back road tours, often to remote areas, which led to long days and discussions about family trees, all of which he enjoyed and thrived upon. The staff at the Chestico Museum in Port Hood often called upon Collie to lend a hand when they needed assistance in tracing generations of family history. Needless to say, there were many letters, dinners and tokens of appreciation from the countless people he met and helped over the years.
Never at a loss for words, Collie always had a reputation and talent for the long lost art of storytelling. A dedicated employee of the Port Hood Co-op for 44 years, Collie always had time to chat with customers and his colleagues, usually providing them with a laugh from one of his many stories, usually many times over! His favorite opening line was, “Did I ever tell you the one about when…”
After retiring from the Co-op, Collie had more time to do the things he loved most: spend time with his wife Cassie, his daughters and his beloved grandchildren. Collie could often been found sitting on a bench at a mall while Cassie shopped or at the Co-op, chatting and telling stories, or engaging strangers in conversation, many of whom probably found out they were related to someone from Inverness County. Retirement also allowed him to devote more time to his love of horticulture. Annual trips were made to greenhouses around Cape Breton Island and his famous flower beds caused many to slow down along the High Road in Port Hood for a closer look. There is certainly no shortage of photographs from over the years that showcase his proverbial green thumb.
Collie and Cassie’s love of the game of Auction often found them playing at someone’s house until the wee hours of the morning, but rarely ever as Auction partners! The many friends and relatives he played with over the years will miss his sharp wit and excitement, especially when banging the five on the table.
A dedicated community member, Collie served on many committees and organizations over the years, such as the Knights of Columbus St. Peters Council 8275, the St. Peter’s Parish Cemetery Committee, the St. Peter’s Parish Council, and the Chestico Museum and Historical Society in Port Hood who honored him for his dedication in 2013.
Collie’s family also want to acknowledge his appreciation for the visits and phone calls from his nieces and nephews, extended family members and his many friends who visited regularly, especially since he has been confined to his home. Although his health was failing, Collie was excited to celebrate Mass at home with Fr. van Zutphen and welcome the many family and friends who recently attended the open house to celebrate his 90th birthday.
The last of his “Weaver Clan,” Collie will be remembered for many things, particularly his kindness and generosity to children, his unwavering faith in God, and his love for his dedicated wife Cassie. She was the reason he was able to remain at home until the day before he passed into God’s arms where we know he is now surely sharing plenty of stories with his parents and beloved brothers and sisters.
Collie is survived by his wife Cassie (MacDonald) MacDonell, daughters Colleen (Glen) O’Connor of Port Hood, Lisa (Shawn) Taylor of Lower Sackville; grandchildren Christina, Andrew, Mitchell, and Donell, Jacob and Lily; sister-in-law, Annie Mae Mac Donald (Donnie) of Port Hood; Jessie Beaton of Mabou; Annie Mae Mac Donell of Port Hood, as well as many nieces and nephews, and grand-nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his brothers Archie, A.J., Alex, Angus and Donald Francis, and sisters, Mary (Morse) and Catherine Annie MacDonell.
Visitation will be on Sunday, May 6, from 7-9 p.m. and Monday, May 7 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. in Port Hood and Area Resting Place. The funeral will be held on Tuesday, May 8 at 11 a.m. in St. Peter’s Parish Church in Port Hood with Father Vincent van Zutphen officiating. Burial in the parish cemetery.
Family flowers only. Donations in memory of the late Collie MacDonell can be made to one of the following charities: Central Inverness Palliative Care Society; St. Peter’s Parish Cemetery Fund or the Port Hood and Area Resting Place.
On-Line condolences may be made to: www.invernessfuneral home .com
