OBITUARIES

At the Souris Hospital on Thursday, June 24, 2021, David Lawrence Winters, 72, passed away peacefully. Hailing from Nova Scotia, he is predeceased by his parents Lawrence and Edith (nee Croucher) Winters. He came to PEI as a young boy and forever more called it his home. He is lovingly remembered by his wife of 51 years Dianne (nee Cheverie), his three children, Tracy (Byron), Jason (Trina) and Sharon (Scott) and his sister Dale (Hartley). Also predeceased by his brothers Bradford, Blaine, Patrick and Roger. In addition, he is survived by his grandchildren, great grandchildren and numerous brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews. The family would like to express a special thank you to Dr. Bronaugh and all the nurses and staff of the Souris Hospital. Resting at Dingwell Funeral Home where there will be no visiting hours or funeral service by personal request. A grave side service for invited guest will take place in the Bay Fortune United Church Cemetery, Bay Fortune at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of David can be made to the Eastern Kings Health Foundation (Souris Home Care or Souris Hospital) and would be appreciated by the family.

Robert Daniel Paquet, 79, passed away on Sunday, June 6, 2021 from an unexpected heart attack. Even though a failing heart took him away from this world, his contagious laugh and loving heart leaves many treasured memories. Robert was a man of few words. He was a very kind, generous man who would give you the shirt off his back if you needed one. It was the simplest pleasures in life that brought great joy to Robert. He loved sharing his memories of growing up in Souris, PEI with all his siblings and friends. He will be missed by his daughter Nancy, stepson Bobbie and his 8 grandchildren Jessie, Ethan, Isaiah, Gabriel, Savanna, Taya, Octavia and Kayla. Also, by his siblings Yvonne, Goldie, Ralph, Claude, Nancy, Sharon, Ray, Joe and his many nieces, nephews and friends. Predeceased by his daughter Tammy, stepson Darryl, parents Joseph and Adele Paquet and his siblings Walter, John, Daniel, Irene and Verna. A visitation for immediate family and invited guests will be held at Dingwell Funeral Home. By personal request there will be no funeral mass. A committal service and interment will take place in the St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church Cemetery. If so desired, donations made to the Eastern Kings Health Foundation (Souris Hospital) would be appreciated by the family.

It is with the heaviest of hearts the family of Michael T. O’Connor announce his sudden passing which occurred with family by his side at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Charlottetown on Saturday, June 5, 2021. He was aged 67 years of Fortune Bridge, PEI. Michael was a most loving husband and best friend to his dear wife Nancy MacKinnon and a cherished father to Michaela Burns (Michael) and stepfather to Paulette Matheson (Grant). He was also a very proud Poppa and tickle monster to Jack and Oliver Burns. In addition, he will be lovingly remembered by his siblings Sandra Gallant, Dolores Steele, Pat (Margie), Steve (Sandra), Terry (Heidi), Sharon Hachey (Doyle) and Charlotte MacAulay (Gerard). Also loved and missed by many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews and brothers and sisters-in-law Roy Drake, Wayne (Twilah), Blair (Lina), Sherren MacKinnon, Anne Farrell (Pat) and Terry Mermuys (David). Predeceased by his parents Len and Rita (nee Gallant) O’Connor, brother Gerard, sister Maureen Drake and brothers-in-law Joe Gallant and Phillip Steele. Michael will be forever remembered for the many talents he shared with his community. He enjoyed playing guitar, performing at various benefits, island festivals and was a member of the PEI Celtic music scene for decades. He had a great love for nature and woodworking. As a long-time carpenter and business owner, it’s easy to see the mark he has left on the community and surrounding areas. Michael was a much-loved bus driver and will also be missed by the many kids he drove to school in Dundas and Souris. Resting at Dingwell Funeral Home where visiting hours will take place for family and invited guests. A funeral mass will be held at the St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church with interment to follow in the St. Charles Roman Catholic Church Cemetery. Due to public health restrictions, all services are by invitation only. If so desired, donations in memory of Michael can be made to the Eastern Kings Health Foundation (Souris Hospital) or the St. Charles Cemetery Fund. “Safe Home.”

Peacefully at the Colville Manor on Wednesday, May 26, 2021, Jean Elizabeth Savoie passed away gracefully with her loving son and daughter-in-law by her side. She was aged 85 years of Souris, PE. She will be forever loved and deeply missed by her son Stephen (Jennifer Knowles) and will be lovingly remembered by her granddaughter Ashley. Jean is predeceased by her beloved husband Gerard and dear son Lennie. Also, to mourn her loss are siblings Kenny O’Hanley and Adele Mills (Aldie), nieces, nephews and extended family. She is also predeceased by her parents and sister-in-law Cathy O’Hanley. Resting at Dingwell Funeral Home where visiting hours will take place for family only. A funeral mass will be held at the St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church with interment to follow in the church cemetery. All services are by invitation only. If so desired, donations made to the Colville Manor would be appreciated by the family.

Jean MacDonald (nee Gregory) passed away peacefully at the Souris Hospital on Monday, May 24th, 2021 at the age of 83. Loving mother of Bernard and Martin (Jenny) MacDonald who will miss her dearly; predeceased by son Arnold Jr. (Arnie). Survived by brothers Reggie and Kenny Gregory; predeceased by husband Arnold MacDonald, and sisters Mary, Margaret, Betty, Mary John D, and brothers Daniel, Gus, and Michael. Jean was born on PEI and raised on the family farm in St. Catherines (PEI), the youngest child of James and Bertha Gregory’s large family. Jean was swept off her feet by a local young man from Chepstow, married, and moved to Montreal with Arnold in the mid-60’s and raised their 3 boys there. She will be remembered for her warm welcome and delicious dinners for family and friends at their home in Montreal and then back in Souris. Jean was a voracious reader, an avid and skilled knitter, a baker of wonderful things, and before breaking her leg falling off a ladder on the back deck, was a regular feature at fundraisers, ceilidhs, or walking on the streets and trails around Souris getting her exercise in. Her family would like to thank the staff at the Souris Hospital for their wonderful care and compassion, and her niece Carol for being there for our mother when she needed her. Resting at Dingwell Funeral Home where a visitation will take place for family only. A funeral mass will be held at the St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Souris for invited guests. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. If so desired, donations in memory of Jean can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the PEI Humane Society. Due to public health restrictions, all services are by invitation only.

Peacefully with family by her side at the Atlantic Baptist Nursing Home on Sunday, May 23, 2021, the death occurred of Evelyn Lucille Bruce of Red Point, PE aged 98 years. Evelyn will be lovingly remembered as a dear mother to Billy (Shirley), Blair and Joanne Holmes (Carl). Also, to mourn the loss is her brother-in-law George Smith (Moncton, NB) and sisters-in-law Florence Mossey, Joan Bruce (Kingston, ON) and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her beloved husband Arthur, her parents Ralph and Jeanette (nee Ching) Robertson and siblings Lloyd, Albert, Wayne, Jeanette and Arnold Bruce and Garfield, Arthur, George, Jessie Sorrey and infant sibling Grace Robertson. Resting at Dingwell Funeral Home where visiting hours will take place for immediate family only. A graveside committal service will be held at the Kingsboro Cemetery. Due to public health restrictions, all services are by invitation only. If so desired, donations in memory of Evelyn can be made to the Kingsboro Cemetery Fund or World Vision Canada.

It is with the heaviest of hearts the family of Richard Stuart MacGregor announce his passing which occurred surrounded with love and family at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital on Sunday, May 23, 2021. He was aged 74 years of East Baltic, PE. He leaves behind his ever-loving wife of 46 years Marion (nee MacDonald) and his children whom he dearly loved Mark (Lori), Bonnie Bruce (Jamie), Colleen, Arlene MacDonald (Bradley) and Terry (Chelsa Lidstone). Richard was a proud poppy, dad, grandad, dea and grampy to Kerri, Renee, Andrew, Brent, Ben, Julie, Jill, Mike, Lucas, Lydia, Lexie, Elizabeth and Gracie. Also to mourn his loss are his siblings Edie Huestis (Stavert), Donald, Donna Campbell, Brenda MacGregor, Bob (Margaret) and Janie MacDonald (Blair). In addition, he is survived by brother-in-law Bernie Dixon and sister-in-law Debhora MacGregor along with numerous nieces and nephews and extended family. Richard was a loving husband, caring father and gentle grandfather. He had a deep love for nature and especially working in the woods with his son Mark. Richard will be forever remembered for his giving sprit as he shared his musical talents with the community, playing music with his daughters at several special events. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him and had the honor of calling him a friend. Predeceased by his parents Harold and Amanda (nee Hayden) MacGregor, brother Aubrey, sisters Bonnie and Margaret MacGregor and Gaylene Dixon, brother-in-law Barry Campbell and sister-in-law Elaine MacGregor). Resting at Dingwell Funeral Home where visiting hours will take place for immediate family. A service of remembrance will be held at the Kingsboro Baptist Church with interment to follow in the Kingsboro Cemetery. Due to public health restrictions, all services are by invitation only. If so desired, donations in memory of Richard can be made to the Souris Hospital or the Kingsboro Baptist Church.

Peacefully at the Atlantic Baptist Nursing Home in Charlottetown on Thursday, May 20, 2021, Mary Coleen Rodd (nee Jennings) passed away surrounded by her loving family. She was in her 81st year of Charlottetown and formerly Souris, PE. She is survived by her beloved husband Vernon and will be forever remembered as a caring and loving mother to Kevin Sampson (Heather), Darlene Watts (Wayne), Coleen, Roland and Wayne Sampson (Darlene) and Rodney. Mary will be deeply missed by her numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. Also to mourn her loss are her dear siblings Sandra, Keith (Lorna), Brian (Gail), Ricky (Brenda), Nadine (Larry) and sisters-in-law Margaret, Dorothy and Mary Jennings and brother-in-law Hugh MacCarville. Predeceased by her parents James and Edna Jennings, daughter Blanche, brothers Jackie, George, Billy, Sam, Dougie, sister Gail and infant siblings Billy and Blanche. Resting at Dingwell Funeral Home where visiting hours will take place for family only. A funeral mass will be held at the St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Souris for invited guests. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. If so desired, donations in memory of Mary can be made to Heart and Stroke or the QEH Foundation.

It is with much sadness the family of John Ross Higginbotham announce his sudden passing which occurred surrounded by his loving family at the Souris Hospital on Wednesday, May 19, 2021. He was aged 85 years of Fortune Bridge, PE. He will be forever loved by his best friend and dear wife of 64 years Louise (nee Wood) and lovingly remembered as a caring father to Evelyn Wiseman (Darryl), Diane MacDougall (Bob), Mark and Derrick (Glenn). Jack was a dear grampy to David Walsh (Bethany), Evan Walsh (Megan), Dean MacDougall, Ben MacDougall (Tiffany) and great-grampy to Winona and Eilis Walsh. He is survived by his siblings Jean Walsh, Carl Higginbotham (Myra) and numerous in-laws, nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his parents Alfred and Evelyn Higginbotham, brothers Jim (Catherine) and Bob (Viola), sister Betty Thompson (Ward) and brother-in-law Ernie Walsh. Resting at Dingwell Funeral Home where visiting hours will take place for immediate family. A service of remembrance will be held at the Bay Fortune United Church with interment to follow in the church cemetery. Due to public health restrictions, all services are by invitation only. If so desired, donations in memory of Jack can be made to the Bay Fortune United Church Cemetery Fund or the Souris Hospital.

The death occurred peacefully at his late residence on Tuesday, May 18th of Frank D. MacDonald (Bornish) of Stratford, and formerly of Monticello, PEI – aged 60 years. He is survived by his sisters Arlene (Paul) McGuigan (Stratford), Claire (Denis) Spidel (Stratford), and brothers Gerald MacDonald (Monticello), David MacDonald (Mt. Stewart), Gene MacDonald (Monticello) and Dorothy Curley (Ottawa), Richard (Jeannie) MacDonald (Stratford), and Jeff (Dianne) MacDonald (Stratford), as well as many nieces, nephews and extended family. He was predeceased by his parents Jimmie and Maud (Bornish) MacDonald. Resting at Dingwell Funeral Home where visiting hours will take place for immediate family. A funeral mass will be held at St. Margaret’s Roman Catholic Church for invited guests, in accordance with COVID-19 guidelines. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Margaret’s Cemetery Fund would be appreciated.