It is with profound sadness that we, the family of Archibald (Archie) Joseph Thomas, announce his passing on February 19th at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital. Archie was born on February 6, 1934 in Deep Cove, Cape Breton. He was the eldest of eight children born to the late Henry (Harry) Thomas and Annie (MacIntyre) Thomas.
In his early years, Dad attended school in Grand Mira South and St. Anne’s in Glace Bay.
Dad also attended the College of Cape Breton and was awarded the CIM (Canadian Institute of Management) designation.
Music was a very important part of Dad’s life from an early age; sharing his talents with his brothers and sisters, his children and grandchildren, from parties at home to performing with Sandy MacInnis, Lila Hashem and A.J MacRae for over 30 years at the Cape Breton Gaelic Society, Valley Mills and Marble Mountain and many other Cape Breton locations. It was through his music that he made many wonderful lifelong friendships.
Dad was a 4TH Degree member of the Knights of Columbus Council 1060, a member of the Cape Breton Fiddlers Association, Lila’s Scottish Strings, Oranaiche Cheap Breatuinn (Cape Breton Gaelic Choir), KOC Men’s Choir and St. Joseph’s Parish Choir, Sydney. Dad was the last surviving member of the 1952 Grand Mira Men’s Choir which won the Nova Scotia Folk Song Festival in Halifax.
Dad worked in many jobs throughout his working years and retired from the Cape Breton Victoria Regional School Board as transportation supervisor. Of all the jobs he held over the years, he often said that driving for the Sydney and Whitney Pier Bus Company was “the best job I ever had.”
Archie is survived by his daughters; Delores Henick (Mike), Henrietta MacNeil (Vince), Leona MacNeil (Bobby), Sons; Kevin (Lucy), and Gregory (Karen Crawley). Siblings, Catherine Murray (Leo), Peggy Gillis (Roddie), Mary Briand, Anne Ferguson (Harold), Sisters In-Law, Florence Thomas (Allen Farrell), Tootsie Bond (Frank), Gerry McNeil, Nancy Hermiston, Patsy MacMullin (Roddie) and brother in-law, John MacDonald (Anne).
Also left to mourn are his beloved grandchildren: Michael Henick (Carly), Ellen Henick (Stevee Mark), Sarah (John Brannen), Patrick Henick (Lindsey Rahey), Daniel Henick, Andrew MacNeil (Lisa), Ashton MacNeil, Julia MacKenzie (Dave), Jordan Thomas (Brittany Strachan), Robert MacNeil, Jessie MacNeil (Noah Wareham). Dad is also survived by 6 great grandchildren: Eli and Mia Mark, Thomas and James Brannen, Isabella Wareham, and Luca MacNeil
Stepchildren; Terry Martell (late Shauna). Cathy Doull (Rick), Robert Martell (Krista), Mary Beth Martell, Gregory Martell (Margaret), Jennifer Morrison (Stephen), Brian Martell (Gina) and Stephen Martell. Grandchildren, T.J. Martell (Melanie), Brendan Martell (Janell), Matthew Doull (Brianna), Ryan Doull (Lucy), Tess Havreluck, Meredith Martell, Sarah Martell (Sondra), David Martell (Noah), Riley Morrison, Gillian Morrison, Marissa and Nathan Martell; great grand-children, Liam Martell, Sophia Martell, Sidney Martell, and Max Doull. Dad is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews who all held a very special place in his heart.
Besides his parents, Archie was predeceased by his first wife of 43 years, Helen (Gillis) in 1999 and his second wife of 19 years, Anne (MacDonald) Martell in 2021. We, the family, are forever grateful that he had the love of two great women throughout his life. He is also predeceased by his siblings, John, Eugene and Theresa Smith and brothers and sister’s in-law, Joe Briand, Neil Gillis, Keats Smith, Winnifred MacDonald (Lloyd), Jane Snow (Jack), Sandy MacDonald (Helen) Harry McNeil, Mae Gillis, Liesel Greene, Ashton Gillis (Audrey) and Michael Gillis and nephew, Henry Murray.
Dad has been a resident of the Cove Guest Home (Spanish Bay) since 2021. We are very grateful for the wonderful, compassionate care he received from the staff and of course his dining buddies. We would be remiss if we did not acknowledge the dedication to his care by our sisters Delores and Leona who were there every day from the day he went in until the day he left. There are no words to express our gratitude for your selfless care. “Thank You”.
Visitation for the late Archibald (Archie) Thomas will be held at TW Parkview Chapel, 755 George St., Sydney on Sunday February 26, 2023 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.
Funeral mass will be celebrated on Monday February 27, 2023 at 10 am at Holy Redeemer Church, Whitney Pier with Fr. Paul Murphy officiating. Interment will take place in Resurrection Cemetery, Sydney Forks at a later date. Reception to follow at St. Theresa’s Hall, Sydney.
Family flowers only. Donations in memory of Archie may be made to the Cove Guest Home Foundation or The Alzheimer’s Association of Nova Scotia – Cape Breton.
