Ronald 'Rannie' Mullaly

103, Whitney Pier

On March 5, 2015, the Good Lord called Rannie home after a brief hospital stay after recovering from surgery for a broken hip.

Rannie was the son of the late Thomas and Catherine 'Cassie' (Gillis) Mullally. He lived in Whitney Pier all his life, near his extended family of 'relatives' The Rudderhams, Gillis’, Walls, and all the other longtime neighbours with the exception of a few weeks spent in the Assisted Living section of Parkland Retirement Home. Here he was loved and cared for with 'kid-gloves' and he, in turn, enjoyed every minute of his short stay there. A special thanks to everyone there for being so kind to him.

Rannie was educated in Sydney and worked for 45 years at Sydney Steel Corporation as a machinist. In his youth, Rannie took part in many team sports, long-distance running, and local marathons. He loved to skate at the Pier Rink and outdoors at Walker’s Pond, and took part in many polar bear swims into his 90s.

He was a faithful member of Holy Redeemer parish. Rannie enjoyed music and dancing, followed world affairs, and enjoyed nature and the outdoors in general. He was a man of his word, where his handshake was an iron-clad bond; he kept his loyalty to his family roots in the Meadows, Sydney Forks, and his neighbours in Whitney Pier.

Rannie was married to the former Regina MacNeil. He loved to travel in his younger days, and he and Regina visited many places together. Following her death, he and his sister-in-law Lena became like brother and sister. They spend a lot of time at each other’s houses. Rannie enjoyed his little “picnic outings” in the summer with Lena and Anne MacKinnon. Many places around Cape Breton Island were visited, and Rannie always had to walk the beach, and always felt at home in the countryside.

Rannie loved to garden; you could always find him puttering around outside. Having had many in his days, cars were another of Rannie’s prized possessions. He stopped driving when he was 101. He enjoyed going to boxing matches, horse races, local musical productions, baseball games and drives. He was happiest when he was either working on a mechanical problem, or working around one of the many GM cars he had over the years.

Rannie was determined to learn the computer, and learn he did! He got his computer when he was 95. Prior to getting it, he spent hours at the library reading and getting books about computers. With a little help from Anne, he was able to spend countless hours on the computer, doing what he enjoyed most: reading emails and looking up information. He used the computer until he was 101.

When not on the computer (or resting) he was an avid reader and a big fan of TV, especially the history and discovery channels. He kept up with everything going on in the world; reading the Cape Breton Post cover to cover. When his friends arranged his 100th birthday party, Rannie thought he died and went to heaven. He enjoyed every minute of it, and talked about it for ages.

When Lena was stricken with the dreaded Alzheimer’s disease and ended up in Seaview Manor in 2014, Rannie seemed to have lost interest in things. He certainly enjoyed his many visits to see her with Anne and Eunice MacKinnon. He always wanted to get there in time for afternoon tea, which he always said was the “best cup of tea” he ever had. Rannie was grateful for everything you did for him. Meals on Wheels was a great service to him, as well as Continuing Care, VON, and especially the staff of 3A and 5E at the CBRH. He always said the secret to a long life was not to worry, and he never did. He was a great man: gentle, generous, keen sense of humour, joyful outlook on life, and a positive, friendly manner. Rannie enjoyed the company of his friends who came regularly to visit: Dennis, Pius, Ray, Blair, Eunice, and Anne. He may have been a quiet person, but he had a big grin that would warm your heart.

Rannie is survived by his sister-in-law Lena MacNeil, Glace Bay, his nephew Daniel Gillis, U.S.A., and by a number of cousins.

He was predeceased by his wife, Regina (MacNeil) and two brothers, Edward and Joseph.

There will be no visitation for the late Mr. Mullaly. A funeral service will be held at T.W. Curry Parkview Chapel at 2 pm on Wednesday, March 11 with Fr. Paul Murphy officiating. Friends can gather one hour before the service at 1 p.m.; and are also invited to enjoy lunch following the service.

Donations may be made to Holy Redeemer Parish.

Online condolences to twcurry.com.

Rannie may have been blessed to have a long life, but we who knew him were blessed to have had him in our lives. Rest in Peace, Rannie!