It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Daniel Francis MacPhee (Papa Dan) on November 8, 2023 at home surrounded by his family and friends. Dan was born on December 30, 1935 in French Road, Cape Breton, one of the 14 children of the late Catherine and Archie MacPhee. He loved the Mira, spending his time between French Road and Grand Mira South before moving to Sydney to raise his family. He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years and sometimes Tarabish partner/adversary Elizabeth MacPhee, their seven children, Neil (Janet), Katherine (Steven), Scott (Jennifer), Ronald (Suzanne), Patricia, Joseph (Natalie) and Jill (Dan), 23 grandchildren, Kayla (Chris), Jessica (Liam), Emily (Pat), Malcolm, Liam, their mother Linda MacPhee, Katy, Daniel, Alyssa, Claire, Connor, Marley, Sara, Lauren, Julia, Saul, Ewan, Alec, Lauchie, Georgia, Dougal, Abbey, Hannah and Mya; and three great-grandchildren Harrison, Jonathan and Findlay. He is also survived by his siblings Father Norman MacPhee, Stephen (Judy) MacPhee, Alan (Mary) MacPhee, Theresa (Murray) MacKinnon and Sadie (Dennis) Kerr as well as his brother-in-law Francis (Martina) Gillis and sister-in-law Agnes (John) MacCormick. He is pre-deceased by his infant daughter Anita Claire, and his granddaughter Emma van Nostrand. He is also pre-deceased by his siblings Malcolm, Mary, Sadie, Anne, Vincent, Archie, John and Bonnie. Dan was a steelworker for 36 years, an avid supporter of St. Theresa’s Parish, the Credit Union movement, and a fixture at the Sydney CO-OP (he was devasted by its closing). More importantly, he was a devoted husband and father, blessed with a terrific sense of humour, a necessity in a house with seven kids. Papa loved being surrounded by friends and family and always looked forward to Sunday dinners. He took great joy in having everyone home, which meant fiercely competitive late night Tarabish games and plenty of trash talk followed by him up first in the mornings happily cooking breakfast for everyone. He enjoyed his life fully and maintained a strong faith in God to the end. We were lucky to have his big heart and gentle soul guiding the ship. We are forever grateful for the support and kindness showed by our friends and extended family throughout the course of his illness. We would also like to thank the VON, his care workers from Home Instead, particularly Christian, as well as the doctors and nurses of the Palliative Care Unit who supported him in his final days. There will be a visitation at T.W. Curry Parkview Chapel, 755 George St., Sydney on November 12th from 2-4pm and 7-9pm. His Funeral Mass will be held at St. Theresa’s Church, 381 Whitney Ave., Sydney on November 13th at 2pm with burial to follow at St. Margaret’s Parish Cemetery in Grand Mira South. A livestream of the service can be accessed through TW Curry's website. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.twcurry.com. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the Hospice Palliative Care Society of Cape Breton or to a charity of your choice.
