MacINNIS, Allan Blaise – Feb. 3, 1944 – Sept. 28, 2014. We regret to announce the sudden passing of Allan Blaise MacInnis, father, grandfather, brother and friend who died peacefully at home. Born in St. Martha’s Regional Hospital, Antigonish, Blaise was a life-long resident of Port Hawkesbury and a proud Cape Bretoner. Blaise attended St. Therese School and Port Hawkesbury High School. He completed Grade 11 at St. Augustine’s Monastery and Grade 12 at St. Joseph’s Convent School in Mabou. Blaise attended St. Francis Xavier University where he completed his Bachelor of Arts Degree and Bachelor of Education Degree. He also studied at the graduate level at Carleton University in Ottawa. Following graduation, Blaise began teaching in the Port Hawkesbury High School system, where he taught for 25 years. He also spent time working as a teacher and principal in Saskatchewan. He was highly regarded as a passionate and brilliant teacher and was an inspiration to many of his students. Blaise was very active in school and student activities and organized student trips to the U.S.S.R. on five separate occasions, as well as a trip to Yugoslavia. Blaise had a life-long interest in sports. He was involved in horse racing and especially loved St. FX basketball, football and hockey games. Possessed with a rare passion for the arts, Blaise loved photography, theatre, writing songs and poetry, but most importantly he loved music. He could always be found singing, playing an assortment of instruments and participating in concerts and sessions with his musical friends in the community. He would be among the first to donate his time and talent to benefits, worthwhile causes or to local events. Blaise is survived by his son, Robert, Calgary; daughter, Lisa (Mike) Sims, Bedford; his grandchildren, Lauren and Matthew; former wife, Mildred. He is also survived by brother, Frank (Mary), Creignish; sister, Kate MacMillan, Little Judique; brother, Bill (Elizabeth), Port Hawkesbury. Also surviving are numerous nieces and nephews with whom he had a special relationship. Blaise was predeceased by his parents, Angus and Cassie MacInnis and his youngest brother, Brian, all of Port Hawkesbury. Blaise always responded with compassion and support to those who found themselves in unfortunate circumstances and as a result had a large circle of friends who loved and appreciated him. His friends respected Blaise for his wit, wisdom and passion for being active in the community. Spanning a wide range of age groups, Blaise’s friends were very important to him and he was known for opening his home and heart, at any time of day, to those he cared about. In addition to his strong relationships, Blaise had a great sense of community for Port Hawkesbury. Spending most of his life in the Strait Area, he volunteered at many facilities to improve the lives of others including: The Port Hawkesbury Nursing Home, The Royal Canadian Legion, Addiction Services, Port Hawkesbury Minor Hockey Association and After School Programs. While he has passed on and his community has lost an advocate, Blaise’s sense of friendship and community will continue to resonate with all who knew him far into the future, inspiring others to help and care for one another. We have lost a dear man from our lives who has given so much of himself to us. May he rest in peace. Visitation will be from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Wednesday in Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home, Port Hawkesbury. Funeral mass will be 10 a.m. Thursday from St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, Port Hawkesbury with Father Conrad Edwards officiating and Father Hughie D. MacDonald co-celebrating. Burial in the parish cemetery. Family flowers only please. Memorial donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia or to a charity of one’s choice. Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at www.haverstocks.com Visitation Information Visitation Wednesday, October 1, 2014 Visitation Time 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Visitation Location Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home, Port Hawkesbury Service Information Service Date Thursday, October 2, 2014 Service Time 10 a.m. Service Location St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, Port Hawkesbury Burial Information Burial Date Thursday, October 2, 2014 Burial Time Following funeral mass Burial Location St. Joseph Parish Cemetery, Port Hawkesbury