OBITUARIES

It is with heartfelt sadness that I announce the passing of my father, Brian R Walsh of Stratford, formally of Souris PE and Harrietsfield, NS. His death occurred peacefully on April 11th, 2021 at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, PE. Brian, 71, was born to Alice and Reggie Walsh (pre-deceased) and is survived by his three brothers Jim, Bill and Steven. Lovingly remembered by daughter Courtney (Trevor) Halcovitch and her mother Marjorie Dunphy and Marjorie’s children (spouses) and grandchildren. Papa to grandsons Gordon and Brayden and granddaughter Elizabeth as well as numerous nieces, nephews and extended family. In his earlier years, Dad (papa), enjoyed music, performing in Slave and providing DJ services (Kaos). He traveled the world, including Europe, New York, Florida and Canada coast to coast. He was one of many Islanders to assist in the construction of the Confederation Bridge and was employed by the Department of Highways. He also enjoyed being a member of the East Royalty Lion's Club. Papa always enjoyed a drive and cherished the special times with his grandchildren. They truly meant the world to him. Special thanks to Doctors Kennedy, Chaudhary, Jones and the entire staff of the QEH dialysis unit. Resting at Dingwell Funeral Home where visiting hours will take place for immediate family and close friends. A funeral mass will be held at the St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, Souris 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 Brian can be made to the QEH Dialysis Unit.

It is with the heaviest of hearts the family of Alan Gallant announce the passing of a dearest husband and loving father which occurred with family by his side at the Victoria General Hospital in Halifax, Nova Scotia on Friday, April 9, 2021. He was aged 51 years of St. Margaret’s, PE. He leaves behind his best friend and loving wife of 35 years Jolene (nee MacCormack) and his sons Tyler and Trever Gallant whom he loved dearly and special companion Honey. Alan will be forever missed and deeply loved by his parents Bobby and Maryanne Gallant, along with his siblings Marylynn and Jamie (Rhonda) Gallant, nephews Tommy, Coady, Josh, Grady and nieces Eryn and Neila. Also, to mourn the loss is his mother-in-law Cauline MacCormack, brothers-in-law Kim (Jane), Jake (Dawn), sister-in-law Kelly Brown (Steve) and their children Logan, Evan, Denver and Samantha. Predeceased by his father-in-law Emmett MacCormack. A celebration of life for close friends and family will be held at the Fortune Community Centre at a later date, with a funeral mass taking place at the St. Margaret’s Roman Catholic Church for invited guests. If so desired, donations made to the Souris and Area Branch of the PEI Wildlife Federation would be appreciated by the family.

Peacefully with family by her side on Thursday, April 8, 2021, Mary “Adelaide” Conway (nee McMillan) passed away at the Colville Manor, Souris, PE. She was in her 99th year and formerly of Elmira, PE. She is predeceased by her beloved husband Joe Conway and was a loving mother to Sandra (John) MacInnis, Valerie (Robert) Flannery, Charlie (Julie) Conway, Charlene Conway, Jo-Anne (Patrick) Doohan and Flo Conway. She is also survived by son in-law Leonard MacNeill, daughter in-law Mary Conway and sister in-law Muriel McMillan. Adelaide was a deeply caring and special foster mother to numerous children over the years which she took into her home. She loved them like her own; providing and making sure all their needs were met. She also had a deep devotion to the rosary and St. Teresa. Some of hobbies included birdwatching, gardening and most importantly tending to her flowers. She will be missed and lovingly remembered by her 33 grandchildren, 58 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild. Predeceased by her parents Joseph and Florence McMillan, daughter Anne MacNeill, son Robert “Bob” Conway, granddaughters Roberta Conway and Elizabeth MacInnis, brothers Carl, Nick, Arnold, Albert and sisters Flora, Lois and Doreen. 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. Columba Roman Catholic Church in Fairfield with interment to follow in the church cemetery. If so desired, donations in memory of Adelaide can be made to the St. Columba Restoration Fund or the Colville Manor Activity Fund.

At the Souris Hospital on Saturday, April 3, 2021, Maria Fatima Neves Frias Pereira gracefully passed away surrounded by much love, her 2 sons, Joao and Pedro and daughter-in-law, Betty. She was 83 years of age living in Souris (formerly of Winnipeg) and home was always Portugal. Fatima is predeceased by her beloved husband Antonio Martins Pereira and was a caring, supportive and above all loving mother to her sons Joao (Jody) and Pedro (Betty). She will be forever remembered by her cherished grandchildren Jack, Sam and Jordan. Jack and Sam will miss all their nurturing and fun times they had with their beloved Avô. She is survived by her siblings Conceicao Anjos (Ricardo), Palmira Lopes (Jose), Manuel Frias (Lucia), her in-laws Ermelinda, Alzira and Maria Frias and numerous nieces and nephews. The family would like to acknowledge the love and support provided by both Dulce and Virgilio in Portugal and her special friend Letizia. Also, much appreciation goes to Dr. Tom and Melissa Bronaugh along with the nursing and supporting staff at the Souris Hospital and QEH Cancer Treatment Centre. Predeceased by her parents Joaquin Frias Pereira and Maria Rosa and brothers and sisters. A visitation will take place at Dingwell Funeral Home for immediate family and invited guests along with a funeral mass at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Fatima can be made to the Souris Hospital and would be greatly appreciated by the family.

It is with sadness the family of Raymond “Junior” Moore announce his sudden passing which occurred at his residence on Monday, March 29, 2021. He was aged 57 years of Souris West and formerly St. Theresa, PE. He was the beloved and cherished son of Raymond and Lena Moore and was a dear brother to Nancy Moore (Clay). He is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles and many close friends. Predeceased by his grandparents and aunts and uncles. By personal request, there will be no visitation or funeral services. A private graveside service for family and close friends will be held at the St. Cuthbert’s Roman Catholic Church Cemetery in St. Teresa. If so desired, donations in memory of Junior can be made to PEI Humane Society or the Brudenell Animal Hospital.

Peacefully at the Souris Hospital on Sunday, March 28, 2021 Preston Allen Coffin passed away with his loving family and partner by his side. He was in his 90th year of Kingsboro, PE. He is predeceased by his dear wife Jean (nee Stewart) and will be forever loved and deeply missed by his daughters Karen Cooke, Judy Coffin and sons Allen (Lori) and Rick (Nancy). Also to mourn the loss is his special friend and companion of 17 years Vi Yates. Survived by his grandchildren Colin (Zoe) and Andrew Cooke, Candace Jamieson (Brad), Ashley, Mike (Stephanie), Coady (Amanda) and Rylee Coffin (Ann) and 11 great grandchildren. Preston will be forever remembered as a caring brother to his siblings Clara Swazey (Roy; deceased), Margaret Gillis (Joseph; deceased), Eileen Sweeney (Buddy; deceased), Sheldon (Doreen; deceased) and Weston Coffin (Kay) and Birdie Rose (Sheldon). He is also survived by his sisters-in-law Mary and Lorraine Coffin and by members of the Stewart family Arthur (Anne), Ira (Nora), Glen (Barbara; deceased), Joan Stewart and Karolyn Jones (Edward; deceased). Preston started working at a very early age as a farm hand and trucker. He went on to having a long career as a fisherman for 50 years in Basin Head and North Lake. He loved to share stories of fishing in later years. Preston also enjoyed watching hockey and always seemed to go for the winning team, but we knew he was a true Maple Leaf fan. He had a great interest in all the day to day community happenings. He is predeceased by his parents Percy and Louise Coffin, along with his brothers Winsloe (Edith), William, Lee, Stuart, Stanley and Kenneth Coffin; sister Elsie Garner (Blake) and brother-in-law Eldon Stewart. Resting at Dingwell Funeral Home where visiting hours will take place for immediate family and close friends. A private graveside service will also be held at the Kingsboro Cemetery, PE. Due to public health restrictions, all services are by invitation only. If so desired, donations in memory of Preston can be made to the Kingsboro Cemetery Fund or the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Suddenly at his residence in South Lake on Thursday, March 18, 2021, Mark Dale Bruce passed away in his 53rd year. He leaves behind his 3 cherished sons Dale, Max and Avery and daughter Rilla Bruce whom he loved dearly and their loving mother Denise MacLennan-Bruce. He is also survived by his first-born daughter Chelsey Gregory who always had a place in his heart. Mark will be deeply missed by his siblings Valerie Bruce (Bruce Beaton), Marlene Perry (Gordon), Blythe (Georgia) and Wade (Melanie). Also to mourn the loss is mother-in-law Peggy MacLennan and nieces, nephews and numerous cousins. He is predeceased by his parents Norman and Thelma Bruce, father-in-law Clarence MacLennan, brother Alan Bruce and special cousin Brad Bruce. Mark was known for his infectious laugh and friendly face. He will always be remembered, and his life will live on through everyone who had the joy in calling him a great friend. Resting at Dingwell Funeral Home where visiting hours will take place for immediate family only. If so desired, donations in memory of Mark can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

It is with great sadness the family of David Dingwell announce his peaceful passing which occurred with family by his side at the Souris Hospital on Saturday, March 6, 2021. He was aged 77 years of Eglington, PE. He was the beloved husband of 55 years to his dear wife Dessie (nee Creamer) and a devoted father to Julie, Mark (Amber and children Zach, Brayden, Jase) and Chad (Jennifer). David was also a proud papa to his grandchildren Hailee, Kalan and Faith. He will be missed by his brother Roger and forever remembered as a special uncle to his numerous nieces and nephews. Born on January 1, 1944 in Little Pond, David was a frequent entertainer and he was happiest performing at countless events in the community and at get-togethers with friends and family. He worked until the very end in a career he treasured with people he loved and who also loved him. He recently said he wouldn’t change a thing if he was to depart this world soon. His love for life was obvious with those he held dear, and he will always remain in our hearts. He will be missed by all who have known him, and most especially by his family who loved him so much. Predeceased by his parents Elliot and Ruth Dingwell, brothers Charles, Leith, Jackie, Bill, Brian and sister Joy. Due to public health restrictions, there will be no visitation or funeral service at this time. A celebration of life will be held at a later date for friends and family. If so desired, donations in memory of David can be made to the Souris Hospital.

At the Whisperwood Villa in Charlottetown on Tuesday, February 16, 2021, Edward “Eddie” McCormack peacefully passed away at the age of 70 years and was formerly of St. Charles, PE. He was the dear son of Marguerite McCormack and will be lovingly remembered as a special brother to Mike Dunphy (Lynn). He is survived by his cousins Tommy MacDonald and Donnie Smith and many nieces, nephews and extended family. In addition to his mother, Eddie is predeceased by his cousins Sheila Bailey, Lorraine Carolsfeld and Bernie Smith who loved him dearly. The family would like to acknowledge the wonderful care that was given to Eddie by the resident care workers, nurses and doctors during his stay at the Villa. By personal request, there will be no visiting hours or service of remembrance at this time. A graveside service for family will be held at the St. Charles Roman Catholic Church Cemetery at a later date. If so desired, donations made to the St. Charles Cemetery Fund would be appreciated by the family.

It is with much sadness the family of Donald Joseph MacCormack announce the passing of a beloved husband, loving father and caring poppie which occurred at the Souris Hospital on Saturday, February 13, 2021. He was aged 61 years of East Baltic, PE. Donnie was a dear and faithful husband of 42 years to his best friend Dawn (nee Rose) and had a great love for his 2 daughters Melanie MacAdam (Matthew), Melissa Veld (Craig) and son Nick O’Halloran (Melissa). He was also a special dad to Sarah Henwood. Dawn and Donnie had the honor of raising many other children who they loved dearly. He was a special and cherished poppie to Mia, Abby, Callie and Meleah. Donnie will be remembered for his kind nature and gentle spirit. Born on November 25, 1959 to Leonard and Velma MacCormack, he quickly became known for his hard-working and caring qualities. Always willing to help a neighbor or friend in need, he had a deep love for his community and surrounding areas. Donnie also had a great love for the sea and especially fishing. Both Dawn and Donnie had a long career fishing together spending 31 years on board the “Lady Dawn” in North Lake. His company and sense of humor will truly be missed by all who knew him. In addition to his wife and children, he is survived by his loving sisters Debbie Mooney (Erroll), Jeanette Hill (John), parents-in-law Waldon and Bertie Rose, brother-in-law Brendon Rose (Sonia) and sister-in-law Karen Rose (Dwayne Doucette). Predeceased by his parents Leonard and Velma MacCormack, brother Brendon MacCormack (Cherie), brothers-in-law Blair and Trent Rose and sister-in-law Valerie Rose. Visiting hours will take place at Dingwell Funeral Home for immediate family only with a celebration of life being held at the Eastern Kings Community Center. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, all services are by invitation only. If so desired, donations made to the Souris Hospital would be greatly appreciated by the family.