Obituary
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McGIRR, Joseph Daniel - Age 69 of Manchester, formerly of Larry’s River. Passed away peacefully in Guysborough Memorial Hospital with his family by his side on Saturday, October 8, 2016. Born in Antigonish on July 2, 1947 he was a son of the late Joseph and Rose (Pellerin) McGirr. Joe is survived by his wife, Helen (Delorey); daughters, Shelley McGirr (Gordon MacKenzie), Fort St. John, BC; Susan McGirr-MacKeigan (Glenn MacKeigan), Manchester; and Stephanie (David) Grant, Steep Creek; grandsons, Dylan and Luke Grant; great-grandson, Tanner Grant; step-grandchildren, Cody and Katelyn MacKeigan; siblings, Mary Richard, Elaine McGirr, both of Larry’s River; Roseanne MacIsaac, Truro; David LeBlanc, Pictou; nieces, Jennifer, Krista, Kendra, Keira, Sandra and nephews, Scott and Shane. Special family friend Everett George for always being there to give a helping hand. He was predeceased by his brother, Kenneth McGirr.
In the 1960’s Joe moved to Ontario and worked at Borden Metal for two years, then working for Canadian Hydrographic for 11 years, spending seven of those winters in the Arctic. In 1976, Joe began his career as a heavy equipment operator and moved his family to Hay River, North West Territories for four years, but then it was time to come back to what he knew as home, Larry’s River, and eventually Manchester. He worked for local contractors for many years, and then working for, and retiring from, the Municipality of the District Guysborough. Joe was a well known and greatly respected Heavy Equipment Operator throughout the area.
Joe wasn’t happy unless he was working on something. He loved working in his garage building trailers, welding this and that, fixing whatever was broke down. Many people stopped in with projects big and small for him to fix and Joe would tackle anything. He was a horse lover and enjoyed taking his horses to horse shows, horse pulls, just working them in the woods or the garden and taking people on sleigh or wagon rides as well.
What made Joe most happy was spending time with his grandsons, who learned his impressive work ethic and many important skills over years of watching and doing as Joe did. He has left a great legacy for them to carry on.
Cremation has taken place. The Family will accept condolences on Friday, October 14, in the Community Along the Bay Multipurpose Centre, Bradford Pellerin Room, Larry’s River from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church, Larry’s River at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 15 with Rev. Danny MacLennan officiating. Burial to follow in St. Peter’s parish cemetery, Larry’s River. Family Flowers only please. Donations in memory of Joe may be made to Guysborough Memorial Hospital Foundation or St. Peter’s Parish Cemetery Fund.
A very heartfelt thank you to all the doctors, especially Dr. Anita Foley, nurses, continuing care nurses, CCAs, and Karen Hoben, palliative care nurse.
Funeral arrangements are under the dignified and compassionate care of Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home, Guysborough. Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at: www.haverstocks.com
Visitation Information Visitation
Friday, October 14, 2016
Visitation Time
2-4 and 7-9 p.m.
Visitation Location
Community Along the Bay Multipurpose Centre, Bradford Pellerin Room, Larry’s River
Service Information Service Date
Saturday, October 15, 2016
Service Time
11:00 a.m.
Service Location
St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church, Larry’s River
Burial Information Burial Date
Saturday, October 15, 2016
Burial Time
Following the funeral mass
Burial Location
St. Peter’s Parish Cemetery, Larry’s River
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