RANKIN, Father Michael Duncan
It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of our brother, uncle, grand uncle and friend, Father Michael Duncan Rankin at MacGillivray Guest Home C.N.D. Wing on Friday September 23rd, 2016.
Born January 11, 1931 he was the son of the late Daniel and Mary Sarah (Beaton) Rankin of Inverness, N.S. Fr. Mike graduated from St. F. X. University in 1955 and was ordained a priest on May 24th 1959 at St. Mary’s Church, Halifax N.S.
He served in Glace Bay, Sydney Mines and New Waterford. He did further studies for chaplaincy at the Nova Scotia Hospital Halifax and completed his MA in addiction services at St. F. X. University.
He served as chaplain at the Cape Breton Hospital for ten years and was one of the early pioneers in palliative care in Cape Breton. He established grief groups for bereaved persons and gave of his time unselfishly to people experiencing grief.
Fr. Mike served as chaplain at MacGillivray Guest Home for 27 years. He will be remembered for being an active force at MacGillivray Guest Home which included many functions that added to the quality of care for the residents, families and staff. He held funerals and wakes for those who requested it, memorial services for all residents, healing masses for those in need and final farewell services for residents who passed away. He was editor of the home newspaper “The Golden Webb”, head of the ethics Committee and represented the diocese of Antigonish on the board of directors. He was a friend to all and was so grateful to the sisters of the Congregation of Notre Dame for their kindness and generosity right to the very end. He also appreciated the volunteers that helped him in his daily ministry and to all the staff of MacGillivary Guest Home with whom he had a special bond.
Serving at MacGillivray Guest Home was a huge part of his life and he enjoyed every moment of it.
Father Mike leaves to mourn his sister, Annie MacDonald; nieces, Catherine MacDonald, Sarah (Pat) Cassidy, Donalda (Kevin) Cody; his nephew, Donald (Mary) Rankin, all of Halifax; grand nieces and nephews and many, many friends.
Father Mike was predeceased by brothers, Donald, Father John Angus and Douglas; sister-in-law, Margaret and brother-in-law, Angus MacDonald.
Visitation for Father Michael Rankin will take place from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. on Thursday, September 29 at T. W. Curry Parkview Chapel, where Vigil services will take place at 7 p.m. Funeral mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Friday, September 30th at St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Church. Burial will follow in Stella Maris Cemetery, Inverness. Donations in memory may be made to MacGillivray Guest Home.
Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.twcurry.com.