Alexander MacInnis

Sept 7, 1919 – June 28, 2010

Alexander MacInnis, passed from this life at the Halifax Infirmary with his family by his side on Monday, June 28, 2010. He showed us courage in the face of death.

Dad was born and raised in Port Hawkesbury, the son of Allan and Sarah (MacDonald) MacInnis. He was a devout Catholic and very active in Sacred Heart Parish. He was the oldest altar boy in Canada and was always there to help out. Alex was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, Fourth Degree Knight.

He was first and foremost a father, grandfather, great grandfather and a friend to all who met him. He was a steelworker for a good forty years and a union man during those years. He was very active in his community, serving the former City of Sydney as Ward Alderman for 25 years. Alex was a champion of the underdog and would never see anyone hungry; serving on the Board of Directors of Loaves and Fishes. In 1983, Dad received the Solicitor General’s National award for outstanding contributions to crime prevention in his community. The citation accompanying this award noted that the alderman first got involved as a member of the board of a special rehabilitation project at the Cape Breton County Correction Centre.

Dad was also a veteran of the Second World War serving with the Cape Breton Highlanders and the West Nova Scotia regiment. He took part in the Italian Campaign and only recently talked about his experience. He also travelled throughout Europe in his later years. Dad was a member of Branch 12 Royal Canadian Legion.

Alex was also a card carrying member of the Liberal Party and had a very keen interest in politics. He had a good mind and a sharp wit and he would always have you laughing. In his retirement years, he spent many days at his favourite Tim Horton’s at the Sydney Shopping Centre where he met with his old friends and quickly made new ones. Bennie, you are going to miss him. Dad also enjoyed his Saturday and Sunday breakfast with his sons and all of the waitresses at Don Cherry’s. They will all miss Dad.

Alex is survived by his six children, Wayne; Allan; Sandra (Terry); Gary (Andrea); Jim ‘Beaver’; Brian (Joan), and a brother Hector (Evie); 11 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his wife of over fifty years, Rita Marie (Ryan), sister Catherine, brothers, Dan, John, Malcolm and Duncan.

Visitation for the late Mr. MacInnis will take place at T.W.Curry Parkview Chapel on Wednesday (today) from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. and Thursday from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Friday at 10 am at Sacred Heart Church with Rev. Anthony O’Connor officiating. Interment in Resurrection Cemetery, Sydney Forks.

Donations may be made to the Sacred Heart Building Fund or Sydney Loaves & Fishes.

On line condolences may be sent to twcurry.com

‘Dad, God has called you home to serve at his altar.’