Warmest condolences, Rochelle, Joe, and Lawrence

Ian Macintyre

Dear Rochelle , Joe ,  and Lawrence  I’m saddened to hear of Ronnie’s passing ! Another Northender and good guy ! Please accept my sincere sympathy and my family’s  ! There are memories I have forever  ! I’ll remember Ronnie in my prayers . JC 

Our deepest sympathy in the loss of your Brother,It is always hard to lose someone you love.Rochelle I worked with you at the Hospital, many years.Joe ,Rochelle & Families our deepest sympathy,          Florence Thomas &Allan Farrell

In memory of Michael Ronald Gillis a much loved member of the Gillis family.  Just like numerous other people I was saddened to learn that Ronnie has recently passed on.  To his sister Rochelle, his siblings, family members and friends I send my most sincere condolences.  The person who authored Ronnie's obituary did a marvelous job as it demonstrated much caring.  Ronnie will be missed.
You probably don't know me however I was born in Sydney a few years after Ronnie was born.  Just like Ronnie when I was an infant I lived in the home on Fairview Street which was later occupied by the Gillis family.  I was told that the Gillis home on Fairview Street was built by my uncle (Kenneth MacKenzie).  My mother Pearl and her sister Sadie grew up in their family home on George Street not too far from the Gillis home on Fairview Street.
On behalf of our entire family I send heartfelt sympathy in you loss.

Joe, I am so sorry to hear of your brother's passing. The obituary gave me an insight of how charming he was and how he had a good life. Please accept my sincere sympathy.
Pierre

To all of Ronnie’s family and friends,
 I send you my deepest condolences on Ronnie’s, passing.
Everyday when I go into work, I can still hear his voice, trying to get my attention....Then he’d say, “can you make my bed?  “How about bringing  me  in a Pepsi and a mars bar” When I’d say alright, he’d then say, “can you make it two Pepsi!” Then he’d go....”shhhhh...don’t tell anyone!” There’s so many great memories! Ronnie certainly knew what was going on within the hospital, (and out!) I told him that he should have been the CEO! He’d come back, when one of the staff would take him for his paper and then tell me who he seen or that he didn’t  see any housekeepers! “None to be found!” 
A famous line was, “don’t let anyone in my room!” 
Ronnie will always be part of 1D...he was like the grandfather  of the unit! Everyone knew him! 
Ronnie’s room, will always be, “Ronnie’s room!” 
God Bless...
...Until we meet again xo

Marina 

Joe and Ann Marie,

It sounds like Ronnie was quite an interesting guy.  It is always
sad to lose someone we love.  Our condolences to you and
your family.  Take care of yourselves and keep safe.

Love, Kenny and Claudette

So sorry to hear of Ronnie’s passing. I have many fond memories of Ronnie from when I worked at the old Cape Breton Hospital. I enjoyed our regular daily talks and our frequent laughs. A long time friend, Mary Jeffers.

You never know who in life will touch your life, 16 years ago I started my career and met a man who was just as leery of me as I was of him, through the years our relationship has grown to more than a friendship, Ronnie was family. He was a curious mind, asking about the sports that my children were involved in and in later years wanting to know how hubby and I were handling the empty nest. He would keep you informed on all things local, whether it was politics (election years were always interesting) or the price of gas, if it was something that he thought you needed to know he would make sure that you were informed.  He always enjoyed Mondays to find out what exciting things happened in the Pier and Fridays to let me know what I should do on the weekend.  But his favorite day of the week would have to be unit meal day, he would suggest a meal and for the most part it was cooked that week, he would always say "it was delicious and we should have it more often."  Ronnie had a memory like no other, he would be able to pick out people who he had briefly met years ago, at the old site and would know who they were. He had an infectious laugh and a kind sole.  He touched the lives of many including mine and will always remain in my heart, he was family and he was loved. Rochelle, Joe, Lawrence and family my deepest condolences to you all. I am sure there is a void in your lives as in mine. Rest easy my friend, you earned your wings. 

My deepest condolences to Joe, Lawerence and Rochelle. Ronnie will be greatly missed on 1D.  He always loved to chat with everyone about anything! The unit is just not the same without him. Rest easy Ronnie.

Dear Joe and Anne Marie

So sorry to hear about Ronnie.  He certainly added so much to the lives of many, especially 1-D.  During my employment on 1D for 7 years,  I had the pleasure of visiting Ronnie most days before heading home.  I would certainly catch up on all the news! When he walked by my office, he would holler “don’t forget to visit me before you leave!”  He was such a joy and was appreciative of all his treats.  He will be truly missed!! Thoughts and prayers with you at this time. 

Bernadette Gallaway-Confiant 

I lived across the street from Ronnie in our growing up years and had the privilege of playing with Ronnie and Rochelle almost daily. When we hid on the veranda, Ronnie would be upstairs in his room and could pick out who was talking with him without his being able to see us. We also played in the back yard with Ronnie and knew when to leave the yard and shut the gate prior to an episode occurring. Those are treasured memories for me. I also visited Ronnie at the Cape Breton Hospital and once or twice at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital. My condolences and prayers go with this message to Rochelle, Joe, Lawerence and all family members.
Franklyn (Frankie)

We would like to express our condolences to the family, especially to Rochelle, Joe and Anne Marie. We have fond memories of working with Ronnie at the Cape Breton Hospital and the Cape Breton Regional Hospital. We are thinking of you all during this trying time. 

To Joe , Anne Marie and family: Our sincere condolences on Ronnie's passing.  Our thoughts are with you 

Ronnie will sure be missed by 1D staff, he always had a story to share. I would sit in his room while he would tell me what was on the news and keep me updated with what was going on in the community.  My deepest condolences to you all, Ronnie sure had a great family. 

Dennis and I want to extend our sincere sympathies to you Joe and Anne Marie and all the Gillis family. We are very sorry for your loss. May Ronnie Rest In Peace. God Bless you all.

My deepest condolences to Ronnie's family, Joe, Rochelle and Lawrence. I have worked on 1D for the past 5 years and have many memories of Ronnie. I will miss hearing him yell out his daily questions of who's working today or what's your schedule, he always knew everything that was going on and he made sure you knew too. The mayor of 1D as we liked to call him will be greatly missed, there will never be another Mr. Gillis 💙

Joe & Anne Marie and family - our deepest condolences on the passing of Ronnie.

Dear Rochelle,  Joe and Ann Marie:
So very sorry for your loss.  You'll have an angel watching over you.  
Keeping you in my prayers.  
God Bless you all. 
Rosella Curtis

Joe, Anne Marie and Family: So sorry to read of Ronnie’s  passing.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Sending hugs!!! 

Love , Dave, Mary Janine and Andrea

Sending my condolences to Ronnie's family. I had many laughs working on 1 D with Ronnie and I will miss him hollering out " come here have to tell you something ,its important " and it was always a news event . The mayor of 1D will be missed but never forgotten ❤

Please accept my sincere condolences on Ronnie’s passing.  Ronnie was a special guy.
R.I.P. Ronnie.

We would like to express our condolences and sympathy during these difficult times.

Ian and Mia Macintyre

Rochelle,
        So sorry to read of the loss of your brother.

Dear Joe, Rochelle, Lawrence and families
I was sorry to hear that Ronnie had passed away. His obituary is heart warming, a picture of a man loved by his family and caregivers. Our family has warm remembrances of all of you. A special remembrance for me is going to Sydney and staying overnight with Rochelle, and so impressed that she had her own room, so prettily decorated and your parents so kind and welcoming. Then there were the times in Iona, when you stayed for a few weeks and we had fun on the beach listening to music and dancing in the evenings. Remembrances of Anne-Marie at X are there too.  All warm thoughts. 

Over the years when I had the privilege to see Ronnie I was always impressed by his knowledge of not only the current events but everything that was going on in the unit and in the hospital. It was always a pleasure to spend some time talking with him. Sad to see his obituary online today. May he rest in peace. Sincerely, Joan MacDonald.

Joe and Anne Marie and Family,  Please accept my  sincere sympathy on your brother Ronnie’s passing. My  thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.  Sincere Condolences   Dianne MacAskill


Joe,Rochelle and Lawrence
Accept our sincere sympathy on Ronnie’s passing
Prayers and thoughts with you 

I was so sorry to hear of Ronnie's passing. He was very special to me and will always be in my heart.

Joe and Ann Marie.  Please accept our sincere sympathy on Ronnie’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.  May God Bless you All.  Roddie and Judy. 

Rochelle, Joe and Ann Marie:

So sorry to hear of Ronnie's passing.  I had not met him, but heard stories over the years, and his Obituary painted a very lovely picture for us.  Such a difficult time to lose someone, when we are not really permitted to grieve, or console.  Sending love and virtual hugs, from Northside East Bay.

Take Care,
Bernadette 

We are sorry for your loss. Robbie Campbell & Gail Sampson. Stay Safe.

Joe/AnnMarie

So sorry to hear about Ronnie's passing.Our thoughts and prayers are with you & your family today.


Funeral Mass

Rochelle Farrell

Joe (Anne Marie)

Lawrence (Lynne)

Doug

Denise

Dana

Joanne

Graeme

Rannie & Mae Gillis

Tom Farrell

The family wish to acknowledge and thank the staff of Unit 1-D for their compassion, kindness and special care for Ronnie. Special thanks to David, Monty, Sam, Pam and Julie as well as his many other caregivers over the past years.

OBITUARY

Michael 'Ronnie' Gillis

June 3, 1939 – April 18, 2020

T.W. Curry Parkview Chapel

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