OLEARY, Edward Aloysius

On Sunday, October 22 2017, our hearts were broken with the passing of a wonderful father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, Eddie O’Leary. Dad passed away peacefully at the An Cala Palliative Care unit of the CBRH surrounded by his loving family. Minutes before, he had told us he was going to be with his wife Marie. Eddie was predeceased by his wife of 53 years, Marie (MacDonald) O’Leary in 2011. Eddie was the youngest of eight children born to the late John and Sarah Jane (Davis) O’Leary of Whitney Pier on June 18, 1938.

Eddie is survived by his daughter and best friend, Kathleen Sarah; son-in-law, Roy Edwards, and his two grandchildren that he loved and was so proud of, Bruce Douglas Edwards (Stephanie LeDuc), Michigan and Dena Marie Edwards (Michael Wadden), Sydney River. Dad was thrilled in May of 2017 to become a greatgrandfather to Thomas Marc Edwards. Dad also attended the wedding of his granddaughter Dena Marie, October 7, 2017. It was a great day.

Eddie is survived also by sisters, Mary (Rod) O’Reilly and Betty (late Will) Pearce, and brother, Bill (late Rita) O’Leary, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Eddie was predeceased by sister, Jenny, (Harvey) Morris; brothers, Danny, John Jr. (Kaye) and Cyril. Eddie was also predeceased by Marie’s parents, Ranald (Catherine Mac Gillivary) Mac Donald, and Marie’s brother, Daniel Joseph.

Dad lived in East Bay until December 2013 when he moved to Parkland Retirement Living. Eddie enjoyed the past four years at Parkland and made many friends and shared many stories and laughs.

Dad was a welder by trade and was a member of the IBEW. In his earlier years, Dad worked at Dominion Tar & Chemical and later at construction jobs throughout Cape Breton including Heavy Water Plants in Glace Bay and Port Hawkesbury. In 1974, Eddie opened East Bay Sno and Water Sports with his wife and business partner, Marie. For 20 years, they sold and serviced boats and snowmobiles at their business located ‘at the corner’.

Eddie loved to skate and enjoyed countless hours of playing baseball and hockey. Dad had a genuine love for animals, there was always a family dog. His last three dogs were Samoyeds, all named Nanook. As Bruce and Dena were growing up Eddie enjoyed many hours sitting in gyms, hockey rinks and sport fields cheering them on. He was their biggest fan. Unfortunately, like their grandfather, neither turned out to be “good losers”.

Dad had a true love for the water. Dad was an accomplished scuba diver and enjoyed scuba diving all over Cape Breton. He was an excellent swimmer and water skier. Dad and Benny Delorenzo spent many weekends waterskiing in Sydney Harbour and at the East Bay Sandbar jumping ramps and performing water skiing tricks. Eddie and Marie enjoyed many hours boating and fishing on the Bras d’Or lakes. His favorite place was his property at North Side East Bay where he and his family spent many summers. The more company that arrived, the happier he was. No one ever left “the O’Learys” hungry or thirsty. Eddie taught many people how to water ski over the years and would never give up on them, no matter how many attempts it would take to get up on the skis. He also enjoyed his mini golf course, where he had yearly tournaments. Winning several under questionable circumstances.

In the winter months, Dad loved snowmobiling with Marie and travelled to snowmobile races all over the Maritimes with his Mercury Snowmobiles. Dad enjoyed fishing all over Cape Breton, although his favorite spot was behind his home in East Bay which he dubbed “O’Leary’s Hole”.

Dad had a wit about him and countless expressions he was willing and not afraid to share. Dad loved to laugh and make others smile. He had the ability to have people in tears from laughing. Some of his stories may have even been true. Eddie was a very proud Irish man and had many Irish traits.

A special thank you to good friends Terry Casey and Peter Gillis for their friendship to Eddie over the years.

We would like to thank the Dialysis nurses for their years of compassionate care. We would also like to thank the Emergency nurses and Palliative care staff for their care and support to Eddie and his family.

Unlike the modern Dads, Dad was never one to say ‘ I love you’ but his kindness, generosity and ability to spoil us through the years told us how much we meant to him. We love and miss you Dad. You are a huge part of our lives. You left us with plenty of ‘Eddie stories’ that will live on.

Visitation for the late Edward Aloysius O’Leary will be held at the Pier Community Funeral Home, Whitney Pier, 1092 Victoria Rd. (entrance on Church Street) on Thursday, October 26, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. There will also be visitation from 12:45 – 1:45 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church, East Bay prior to the Funeral Mass on October 27, 2017.

Funeral Mass to celebrate the life of Edward O’Leary will be held at St. Mary’s Parish, East Bay at 2 p.m., on Friday, October 27, 2017 with Fr. Frank Abbass officiating.

A private family burial will take place at a later date.

Donations can be made to Hospice Palliative Care Society of Cape Breton County, or SPCA.

Online condolences may be forwarded to the family www. pierfuneralhome.com.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Pier Community Funeral Home.