MacLellan, Cyrus Joseph "Joe", age 90 of Antigonish passed away peacefully from natural causes with family at his side on March 31, 2020 in Green Meadows Community Residence, Antigonish County.
Joe was born on May 26, 1929 in the Bronx, New York City. He was the son of the late Margaret (Chisholm) MacLellan from Antigonish & Cyrus J. MacLellan Sr. from Prince Edward Island. While working in the Bronx, Joe enlisted in the U.S Navy in 1950 and was stationed in San Diego, California.
In 1954, Joe was accepted into the Engineering program at St.F.X.U. Joe graduated from StFX in 1957 and was awarded a BEng degree in Civil Engineering from Nova Scotia Tech (now Dalhousie University Faculty of Engineering) in 1959. Following graduation, Joe worked with Vaughan Engineering Consulting and the City of Halifax, before returning to Antigonish to work on the expansion of the StFX university campus.
In 1972, Joe established C. J. MacLellan & Associates Ltd. The dedicated and hardworking team became an extended family. Joe continued to value their caring friendships throughout his retirement.
Joe was President of the Engineers Nova Scotia, a member of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Council of Professional Engineers, a member of the Board of Directors of the Technical University of Nova Scotia (TUNS), President of the Antigonish Highland Society, a member of the Board of Directors of Braemore Coop, a Grand Knight of St Ninian’s Knights of Columbus, a member of Antigonish Town Council, and many other organizations. He cherished his long-time role with Campaign Life Coalition and often reminded people that with ten children, he had solid Pro-Life credentials. He was a man of deep faith and prayed the rosary throughout his life.
Joe's favourite hobby was being on his sailboat. He, with his wife Cella by his side, would sail to Pictou, Prince Edward Island, and the Bras d'Or Lakes, but his favourite sailing was done in St. George’s Bay, Antigonish. Nothing brought him more joy than having a boat full of his grandchildren with him sailing and teaching them to fish off the boat, and how to gut & clean fish while sailing. His grandchildren loved being with him on the sailboat, because he would let them get away with anything. They would jump off the boat and grab a tube to be pulled up on the boat again. It was not uncommon for him to take 8 or 10 kids with him at a time and give them the most memorable summer days.
Joe is survived by his children, Edwin (Stephanie), Sydney, CB; Janis (Alphonse) PEI;, Anne (Rudy), Moncton, NB; Leon (Pauline), Antigonish; Marie (Clay), Edmonton; Cyrus, Deddum, MA; Joan, Antigonish, Nancy (Tom), Lancaster, England, and Kevin (Cheryl), Alberta; 30 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren; and sister Loretta Baker.
Joe was predeceased by his wife Marcella Gerarda, his son Michael, and sisters Margie Gillis, Joan Gilfoy, Theresa MacLellan, and family member Michael MacPherson.
The family thanks Green Meadows for Joe’s compassionate care, and he had many enjoyable conversations with their staff, residents, and volunteers including Lee Kelly, Adele, Jamie, Mary, Heather, Twila, Danielle and so many others. And a big thank you to Dr. David Cudmore, Dr. Therese Chisholm, and the staff at St. Martha’s Hospital.
A private family funeral will be held Friday at 1:00pm, and it can be viewed on live stream by following this link. A public celebration of Joe’s life to be held at a later date. Burial in St. Ninian Cemetery in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Campaign Life Coalition or St. Vincent de Paul Society.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of C.L. Curry Funeral Home, Antigonish. Online condolences: www.clcurry.com