The Gillis
family regrets to announce the passing of our brother, Calum, on
February 8, 2024, in St. Martha’s Regional Hospital,
Antigonish.
Calum was
truly one of a kind. Despite years of debilitating health
issues, he remained positive and put everyone else’s needs
first and was always willing to lend a hand. He carried the
burden of his many health challenges bravely. He loved
people and had many lifelong friends.
He loved his
family, his siblings, and he especially loved his nieces and nephews
and grandnieces and grandnephews. Each one had a special and
unique relationship with him. He was always there for every
occasion.
Calum was a
skilled carpenter, starting with "Lenargo" just out of high
school. His attention to detail was impeccable, and he took
great pride in his work. When he was no longer able to do
carpentry, he started his own business: "Wheels on
Wheels", a wheelchair accessible van, where he again went above
and beyond. Regardless of the weather, his dedication to his
clients was unparalleled.
His interests
and hobbies were many. He was a Bingo Bag (before bingo was
cool), and he played many a card game with his chosen mother, Hope
MacDonald. Calum enjoyed playing darts for years at the
Antigonish Legion.
He was an
avid Toronto Maple Leafs fan. He never missed a game and
would brag when he could, but he could also take a teasing –
to the point of having to wear a Habs jersey after losing a
bet!
Born a
"gear head", he loved vintage cars and trucks, and he could
always be seen driving his 1985 Chev truck, in which he took immense
pride. He was a proud member of the Antigonish Car
Club.
He is
survived by his brothers, John Hugh (Lorelle), MacMaster Road; and Tom
(Tracey), Antigonish; sisters, Mary (Andy) MacDonald, Black Avon; Katy
(Frank) Pavelski, Massachusetts; Sarah Gillis (Joe MacLean), Ohio;
Margaret (Stephen) MacKenzie, Antigonish; and Lois Gillis (Tim
Liengme), Antigonish; 18 nieces and nephews and 22 grandnieces and
grandnephews; goddaughter, Cora MacPherson; aunts, Jessie and Betty,
both of Detroit; and Teresa, Judique; and uncle, Roy Jackson, Trenton,
ON.
Predeceased
by his parents, Hugh Duncan and Anne (MacDonell) Gillis; brothers,
Billy and Joey, and numerous aunts and uncles. It was his
honour and privilege to make special road trips and smaller excursions
with his aunt and uncle, Sr. Margaret and Fr. Malcolm
MacDonell.
Thank you to
Margaret and Stephen, who welcomed Calum into their home, which
enabled him to live independently for the last three and a half
years. We would like to thank the staff in GARU/MedSurg and
Palliative Care at St. Martha’s Hospital for their exemplary
care. Special thanks to Elizabeth
Morgan, RN, Dr. Emily Rice, Dr. Simms, and to Dr. John Hickey for his
many years of care. Also, thank you to Continuing Care, VON,
Red Cross, and his dedicated caregivers.
Visitation
will be held Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9pm in C.L. Curry Funeral
Home, 135 College Street, Antigonish. Funeral Mass will be
held Tuesday at 11:30am in St. Joseph’s Church, St. Josephs,
with Fr. Danny MacLennan and Fr. Tom Stephan presiding.
Burial in the parish cemetery in the
spring.
In Memoriam,
donations to Scleroderma
Atlantic appreciated. Online
condolences: www.clcurry.com