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MacAskill, Van Allen Nayland

Millville, NS

August 23, 1957 - July 13, 2024


It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of Van Allen “Nayland” MacAskill, 66, of Millville, on Saturday, July 13, 2024, after a short but courageous battle with cancer.


Nayland was the son of the late Kenneth & Jannie (Butts) MacAskill.  He was a vintage model born August 23, 1957.


Nayland had a very strong work ethic throughout his career as a sheet metal worker and welder.  The skills of his trade provided him with opportunity to work and experience the culture in such places as North West Territories, Nunavut, and many other places across the country before settling to work closer to home prior to his retirement.  Nayland took pride in his work and providing for his family was very important to him. 


In his spare time he enjoyed tinkering in the garage, pushing boards through the sawmill, cruising on the motorcycle with Debby on the back or just sitting on the back deck soaking it all in and feeling blessed for where he lived and for everyone that was a part of his life.  He had a great sense of humor and boy did he love to torment - he could equally lend a lot of great, although sometimes “questionable” advice.


Nayland was a devoted and loving husband to his wife Debby (Bonnar) of nearly 49 years.  He was a very caring and exceptionally proud Dad to his daughter, Nicole (Jason) Kaylie and his son, Denton (Raven).  He will be deeply missed by brothers Roddie, Murray (Jeanette), Paul (Jocelyn), Glenn and Terry (Corinna); and by sisters Corrine (Heckie) Stubbert, Melinda (Jackie) Mark, and Carrie (Tom Bond). He is also survived by brothers-in-law Richard Ahle and Bill Bonar, special friend Florence Fraser, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.


Besides his parents he was predeceased by his brother, Danny and sisters, Mary Ahle, Sylvia Edmunds and Wanda; sisters-in-law Dawn MacAskill & Margie MacAskill.  He was also predeceased by his in-laws Farrell & Mary Bonnar, brothers-in-law, Lorne Edmunds, Wayne and Johnny Bonnar, and sisters-in-law Linda and Donna.


Special thanks to Dr. D’Intino for her extraordinary care and comforting words along with the entire staff at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Palliative Care Ana Cala Unit and Hospice Cape Breton. 


Cremation has taken place.  Visitation for Nayland will be held from 6-9 pm on Friday, July 19th, in the W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant Street, North Sydney.  Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, July 20th at St. James-Knox Presbyterian Church, Big Bras d’Or with Rev. Peter MacDonald officiating.  All are welcome to join the family for a reception at the Millville Community Center following the service.


In lieu of flowers donations are welcome in his memory to our local Cancer Treatment Center at cbrhfoundation.ca OR Hospice Cape Breton at https://hospicecapebreton.org/


“Rest easy, Nayland – love you forever, Debby”






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