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Writer's pictureNova Scotia Obituaries

GILLIS, Calum Reginald

Antigonish, NS

February 8, 2024


The Gillis family regrets to announce the passing of our brother, Calum, on February 8, 2024, in St. Martha’s Regional Hospital, Antigonish.


Calum was truly one of a kind.  Despite years of debilitating health issues, he remained positive and put everyone else’s needs first and was always willing to lend a hand.  He carried the burden of his many health challenges bravely.  He loved people and had many lifelong friends.


He loved his family, his siblings, and he especially loved his nieces and nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews.  Each one had a special and unique relationship with him.  He was always there for every occasion.


Calum was a skilled carpenter, starting with "Lenargo" just out of high school.  His attention to detail was impeccable, and he took great pride in his work.  When he was no longer able to do carpentry, he started his own business:  "Wheels on Wheels", a wheelchair accessible van, where he again went above and beyond.  Regardless of the weather, his dedication to his clients was unparalleled. 


His interests and hobbies were many.  He was a Bingo Bag (before bingo was cool), and he played many a card game with his chosen mother, Hope MacDonald.  Calum enjoyed playing darts for years at the Antigonish Legion.


He was an avid Toronto Maple Leafs fan.  He never missed a game and would brag when he could, but he could also take a teasing – to the point of having to wear a Habs jersey after losing a bet!


Born a "gear head", he loved vintage cars and trucks, and he could always be seen driving his 1985 Chev truck, in which he took immense pride.  He was a proud member of the Antigonish Car Club.


He is survived by his brothers, John Hugh (Lorelle), MacMaster Road; and Tom (Tracey), Antigonish; sisters, Mary (Andy) MacDonald, Black Avon; Katy (Frank) Pavelski, Massachusetts; Sarah Gillis (Joe MacLean), Ohio; Margaret (Stephen) MacKenzie, Antigonish; and Lois Gillis (Tim Liengme), Antigonish; 18 nieces and nephews and 22 grandnieces and grandnephews; goddaughter, Cora MacPherson; aunts, Jessie and Betty, both of Detroit; and Teresa, Judique; and uncle, Roy Jackson, Trenton, ON.


Predeceased by his parents, Hugh Duncan and Anne (MacDonell) Gillis; brothers, Billy and Joey, and numerous aunts and uncles. 


It was his honour and privilege to make special road trips and smaller excursions with his aunt and uncle, Sr. Margaret and Fr. Malcolm MacDonell.


Thank you to Margaret and Stephen, who welcomed Calum into their home, which enabled him to live independently for the last three and a half years.  We would like to thank the staff in GARU/MedSurg and Palliative Care at St. Martha’s Hospital for their exemplary care.    


Special thanks to Elizabeth Morgan, RN, Dr. Emily Rice, Dr. Simms, and to Dr. John Hickey for his many years of care.  Also, thank you to Continuing Care, VON, Red Cross, and his dedicated caregivers.


Visitation will be held Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9pm in C.L. Curry Funeral Home, 135 College Street, Antigonish.  Funeral Mass will be held Tuesday at 11:30am in St. Joseph’s Church, St. Josephs, with Fr. Danny MacLennan and Fr. Tom Stephan presiding.  Burial in the parish cemetery in the spring.


In Memoriam, donations to Scleroderma Atlantic appreciated.




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