Obit - William E MacKay

["Rick" <Rick_uid1727@yahoogroups.invalid>]

UNKNOWN PAPER - 28 NOVEMBER 1960

WILLIAM E. MACKAY - There passed away at Camp Hill Hospital, Halifax, on November 3 after a lengthy illness William E. MacKAY in his 67th year. Mr. MacKAY was born at Wentworth in 1893 son of the late Mr. and Mrs. William MacKAY of The Falls. The family moved to Springhill where they lived for several years, later returning to this community for some time before going to the Canadian West. When the call came for volunteers in World War I. He, his brother Archie and brother-in-law, Jack LETCHER enlisted in Calgary, Alta. After going to England these young men were drafted to France where "Bill" (as he was better known by his friends) was twice wounded and gassed, and Archie made the Supreme Sacrifice in the Battle of Vimy Ridge in April 1917. Upon returning from overseas he farmed in the Peace River district until his health no longer permitted and in 1935 returned to Nova Scotia with his wife, (formerly Edith HOY of Kempville, Ont.) and family. In the immediate family he leaves to mourn their loss, his wife and four sons, Archie in Edmonton, Alta., Everett at Camp Gagetown, N.B., Sandy and Harry in the R.C.N. at Halifax. Three grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Three brothers, Roach in Springhill, Leslie in Fairview, Alta., Kenneth in Dawson City and a sister Lizzie (Mrs. Jack LETCHER) Innisfail, Alta. The funeral which was held in Trinity United Church, The Falls was conducted by Rev. R.H. MILLS of Tatamagouche, and was largely attended. He was a member of the Canadian Legion No. 64 B.E.S.L., whose members attended in a body and marched from the church to the cemetery. Otis RUSSELL and Sherill COULBURN were color bearers and Piper; Major Sandy BAILLIE played the "Lament" and sounded the "Last Post" at the graveside, the service there being led by Veterans. Hymns sung were: "We Cannot Think of Them as Dead" and "The Sands of Time are Sinking". Pall bearers are cousins, Daniel and Gilbert MacKAY, Henry and Minard HAYMAN, Wallace FARNAN and a nephew Ivan MacKAY of Hunter River, P.E.I. The floral tributes were many and beautiful and were carried by veterans and placed on his grave in the nearby cemetery at The Falls. The sympathy of the whole community goes out to Mrs. MacKAY and sons in their sad bereavement, and also to those who were too far distant to attend the funeral of a beloved brother.