Gordon Leo Kiley

Gordon earned the moniker “Gramps” as a young person because of his serious & mature personality and was known as Gramps throughout his life.

Gramps was born in Whitney Pier, on February 6th 1928. He was the son of Basil and Blanche Kiley Growing up in Whitney Pier, Gramps participated in the sport of Boxing. He entertained crowds from Cape Breton to Toronto in the lightweight and welterweight divisions in the 40’s and 50’s. Gramps fought in 76 professional and amateur bouts winning 68 of them. He continued to coach many of Sydney’s young boxers and was involved in refereeing. In 1988 Gramps was inducted in the Canadian Boxing Hall of Fame.

Gramps was a proud steelworker at Sydney Steel for 40 years. During this time he served on Local 1064 executive including President from 1974-1976. Gramps was a selfless person who dedicated himself to his family, work, and the community. Upon his retirement his colleagues described him as “governed by a keen sense of duty and always showing a unique grasp of human problems; He always sought to aid his fellowman in their hour of need”.

During his life Gramps was dedicated his life to his family and his wife Ann Marie. Gramps enjoyed skating at the rinks in Cape Breton, swimming in East Bay, dancing with Ann Marie and working on projects well into his 70’s. Gramps was a person of strong faith and principle. He enjoyed laughter and the company of his good friends.

Surviving are his wife of 57 years, Ann Marie, daughters Ann Marie (Brad) London, Ont, Audrey (Scott), Exeter, Ont, sons Basil (Mary-Jane), Cole Harbour and Gordie (Diane), Dartmouth and grandchildren Bret, Daniel, Nicholas, Kiley, Ryan and Emma.

Gramps is also survived by brothers Kevin, Larry and Harvey, sisters Maime, Kathleen, Connie and Sandra. Gramps was predeceased by his parents, brothers Ray, Jim and Terry and sisters Madelaine, Doris, Marina, Lorraine and Linda.

Gramps struggled with Alzheimer’s for 12 years and for last year and half of his life he was a resident of Shannex Harbourstone, Kimberly Hall. He passed away peacefully. We thank the staff for their care and compassion of Gramps at the end of his life.

Visitation will be held from 6-9pm Thursday Dec 29th at T.W Curry Parkview Chapel. A funeral mass will be held to celebrate his life Friday Dec. 30th, 2pm at St. Theresa’s Church in Ashby, Sydney. A reception will follow at St Theresa’s Hall.

This obituary can be viewed at www.inmemoriam.ca. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Alzheimer’s Society.