Obituary of Charles Perley MacKinnon

                                                    Charles “Perley” MacKinnon June 7, 1944 - January 11, 2024.

It is with heavy hearts and sadness that we announce that Charles “Perley” MacKinnon, 79, of Port Hastings, Inverness County, passed away on Thursday, January 11, 2024. He is now reunited with Marie (Catherine Marie nee MacRae), his loving wife of 57 years.

Perley worked for many years as a trucker, on the offshore oil rigs (work that took him to offshore Nova Scotia and Greenland, the North Sea and other adventures in the world), as a snowplow driver, and in the gypsum mines in Inverness County. He thoroughly enjoyed his work and more importantly, his co-workers. Perley didn’t spend much energy talking as he was too busy scheming up his next prank, some of which were legendary and shockingly imaginative. At a time when it was not common, Perley was proud to have taught young women to drive the big trucks in the gypsum mines.

Perley was a kind and friendly man who saw the good in everyone. He was the best neighbour and the world’s biggest Blue Jays fan. Perley took great pleasure in spending time in and taking care of the woods in Queensville. He first used a chainsaw as a youngster and didn’t stop until 70 years later. Many would know that Perley was a vehicle enthusiast, keeping up to date on the latest developments and stats. He recently sold his F150 after 14 years of ownership; it looked as good as the day he drove it off the lot.

 In addition to his parents, Perley was predeceased by his wife Marie; his son Perley Hugh; his sister Mary Jess and her husband Eddie Johnny Ed MacDonald; his brothers Walter, Murdo, William and Seward; his sister-in-law Faye (MacRae) Forgeron; his niece Allena MacDonald and, his nephew Bradley MacKinnon. He is survived by his children; Bobby (Michelle Higgins), Halifax; Walter (Teri), Truro; Wilena (Brian) Wood, Aulds Cove; and Traci (Dan) MacIsaac, Port Hawkesbury.

Dad was happy that his surviving children were able to raise their families in Nova Scotia and remain close and were able to spend time with him over the last year. He will be fondly remembered by his grandchildren; Carter and Avery MacKinnon (Halifax); Kaitlyn MacKinnon (Westville), Robert Sparks, Nicole Sparks, Chelsea Tobin, Troy Tobin; Jonathan (Brianne) Bonaparte (Halifax), Cody (Brenna) Wood, and Colton (Jade) Wood; and Clint (Calgary), Blake (Calgary) and Reice Snook (Port Hawkesbury). He is also survived by his brothers-in-law Billy (Betty) MacRae, Gary (Joan) MacRae, Basil (Debbie) King, Francis (Doris Matthews) King and Sam (late Faye) Forgeron, and sisters-in-law Julia (late Murdo) MacKinnon, Pauline (late Seward) MacKinnon, Gloria (Kenny) Leblanc, Marlene (Ken Morin) MacDonald; great-grandchildren Tanner and Layton Wood; Paisley Wood; Aaliyah, Chloe, Cameron, Emmett and Rhyse Sparks; and, several cousins and many nieces and nephews.

 Dad was thankful for the friendship of Randy MacDonald, Darryl MacQuarrie and Bruce Edwards. The family cannot say “thank you” enough for the care provided by doctors, nurses and staff including those at the Strait Richmond, St. Martha’s and especially St. Martha’s Palliative Care, and the Cape Breton Regional hospitals, and local homecare teams.

Visitation will take place on Monday, January 15, 2024 from 4 - 7 p.m. at Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home, 724 Granville Street, Port Hawkesbury. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at St. David’s United Church, Port Hastings, with Sandi Irving DLM officiating. Interment to follow in St. David’s United Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Perley’s memory can be made to the Strait Richmond Healthcare Foundation, the St. Martha’s Regional Hospital Foundation, St. David’s United Church (Port Hastings) or charity of your choice. Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at www.haverstocks.com