Obituary of Ronald Angus Gillis

View Funeral Mass here https://youtu.be/01u_9hlSI8E

View Committal Service here  https://youtu.be/dwoSs1o9qPQ

It is with deep sadness that we the family announce the death of our brother, Ronald Angus Gillis, September 5, 2020 in High Crest Nursing Home, Sherbrooke. Ronald was born on June 17, 1927 in Antigonish to Joseph and Catherine Marcella Gillis (MacDonald). He grew up in Doctors Brook. He moved to Boston, MA in 1956 where he met his wife Celestine Boudreau, the love and inspiration of his life. They married in 1957 and lived most of their lives in Natick, MA. Ronald worked for a bus company and a railway company. He and Celestine moved happily back to Doctors Brook after their retirement where he continued to drive the school bus. During this time, he greatly enjoyed meeting and tracing back each school child to their parents and ancestors. The families of the children enjoyed hearing these stories. These were also wonderful stories for Ron’s family as well.

He was an active member of St. Margaret of Scotland Parish in Arisaig. He served in many ministries in the church, especially by his presence at Mass on Sunday as well as the weekday Masses whenever they were celebrated. Faith and attendance at Mass was very important to him. The family found this out when family gatherings had to be changed to suit his Mass times.

He loved his home community and also served anyone he saw in need. His kindness was shown by driving people to appointments, visiting their homes, shopping for their various needs. He had stories to tell and lonely people were happy to hear. When the family would thank people who were so good to Ron during the past year we would hear so often “its pay back time, he was very good to my  uncle, father, husband, etc., just let me know if there is anything I can do for him.”

He is survived by two sisters, Kaye Williams, Guysborough and Sister Loretta Gillis, Sister of St. Martha, Antigonish, many nieces and nephews, also his wife’s family, living in East Tracadie.

He is predeceased by his wife, Celestine, his parents Joseph and Catherine Gillis, three brothers, Donald, Bernard and John Hugh, and his sisters Annabelle and Jean.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, September 9, 2020 from 12:00-2:00 pm in St Margaret of Scotland Church with Funeral Mass to follow at 2:00 pm, Rev. Colin MacKinnon presiding. COVID-19 protocols will be in place. Burial in the parish cemetery. Donations may be made to St. Margaret of Scotland Cemetery Fund. Donations and condolences may be made online by visiting: www.MacIsaacs.ca

The family would like to extend gratitude to St. Martha’s Hospital, Antigonish and High-Crest, Sherbrooke for the extraordinary care Ron received.