JABALEE, Harold North Sydney

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Harold Jabalee, age 89, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother and uncle, on Tuesday, December 1, 2020, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born in North Sydney, September 25, 1931, Harold was the son of the late Richard and Edna (Kasouf) Jabalee. He was a graduate of St. Joseph High School, later attending Xavier College and graduating from St. Francis Xavier University with a commerce degree in 1954. He began working with the family grocery business, R. Jabalee & Sons, alongside his father and brothers, operating two grocery stores and a wholesale business until his retirement in the early 90’s. Harold had a passion for harness racing, he loved to train and race the horses at various race tracks throughout the Maritimes. He also enjoyed cross country skiing, was an avid curler at the Sydney Mines, Seaview and Sydney Curling Clubs, participating in many memorable bonspiels over the years. He was a member of the Kinsmen Club of North Sydney, Northern Yacht Club, Seaview and Lingan Golf Clubs. He was an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and the Montreal Canadiens since the forties. Harold was a devout member of St. Joseph Church, North Sydney, former parish council chairman, Eucharistic Minister, altar server. He was a 3rd degree Knights of Columbus member of Fr. William Kiely Council, 4th degree member of Fr. William B. MacLeod General Assembly. Harold and Edna enjoyed travelling to many places in Canada, United States and Europe, spending winter months in Florida for many years. Harold is survived by his wife of 62 years, Edna (MacGillivary) Jabalee; daughter, Helen Jabalee (Bob), Toronto; granddaughter Erica Niemi; grandson Patrick Messom; great-granddaughter Alyssa; brother Joseph Jabalee; cousin and good friend Mike Kasouf. Besides his parents Harold was predeceased by a brother, George and sister Rosemarie Jabalee; grandson-in-law Ashley Niemi. The family would like to thank the many Doctors who cared for Harold over the years, the nurses at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Palliative care and Cancer Unit, also the staff of the VON. A Funeral Mass for Harold will be held 11 a.m. Monday at St. Joseph Church with Rev. Doug MacDonald officiating. Burial in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Sydney at a later date. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, social distancing must be followed with limited seating in the church and masks are mandatory. Funeral arrangements are under the care and direction of W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant Street, North Sydney. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.wjdooley.com.