"Siol na Fear Fearail" - The Breed of Manly Men
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Charles
'Sharkey' MacDonald of New Waterford on Sunday, August 29, 2010, at
the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, surrounded by his loving
family.
Born in New Waterford Oct. 14, 1922, he was a son of the late Teresa
(MacPherson) and Ronald MacDonald.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Teresa (MacKinnon); sons,
Bernie (Donna), Ronnie (Sandra), Paul (Natalie); daughter Barbara
(Wayne).
'Poppy' Sharkey is also survived by 11 grandchildren, David (Mary),
Pamela (J.F.), Andrew MacDonald, Tony (Alysia), Robert, Mark (April)
Crowe, Danielle, Matthew, and Stephen MacDonald, Christian and Tyler
MacDonald; seven great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews,
especially Sandra MacNeil, with whom he would watch several sporting
events on television; brother Archie MacDonald; sisters Peggy Beaton
and Veronica Josey. He will be especially missed by his constant
companion, his dog, Digger.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his sisters Mary, Gertie,
Taty, Tesy, Doreen and brothers John 'Buddy', Ernie and Ronald
'Junior'.
Sharkey was a good man who lead a very full and active life. As a
youth, he enjoyed many sports, especially hockey and boxing. The
nickname 'Sharkey' came from his supposed resemblance to the great
boxer Jack Sharkey. He played local hockey in his early teens and
loved to tell the story of how, as a goalie, he was 'traded to the 14
Yard Hawks'. His passion for sports continued throughout his lifetime.
He was a great supporter of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Blue Jays and
was an avid Screaming Eagles fan ticket holder and could be found at
all home games.
In 1940 at the early age of 18, Sharkey signed up to go overseas and
fought with the Cape Breton Highlanders. He served in England, Italy
(where he was wounded) and Holland. His overseas time was a very
pivotal time in his life and he was instrumental in the formation of
the local Cape Breton Highlanders Association. One of his proudest
accomplishments was the part he played in the establishment of the
Cape Breton Highlanders' Cenotaph on Kings Road in Sydney.
Upon his return from the war, he met and married Teresa and raised a
wonderful family. Sharkey worked for over 40 years, first as a miner
for the Dominion Coal Company and then as a security guard for Devco.
Sharkey was very civic-minded and served as town councillor for the
town of New Waterford for over 17 years and was instrumental in the
progressive ventures in the town. He was a member of the Parish Church
of St. Leonard and a long standing member of the Knights of Columbus.
He will be sadly missed.
Visitation will be held Tuesday (today) from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at V.J.
McGillivray Funeral Home, 380 Smith Street, New Waterford. A funeral
mass of celebration for Sharkey will take place Wednesday at 10 a.m.
in the Parish Church of St. Leonard, Mount Carmel Ave., with Father
Doug MacDonald officiating. Burial will be in Mount Carmel cemetery
with a luncheon to follow at the Knights of Columbus Hall, Plummer
Ave., New Waterford. Members of the K.O.C. will assemble for a prayer
service at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday in the funeral home.Donations in
Sharkey's memory may be made to the Cape Breton Regional Hospital
Foundation. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family
at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca.
A special thank you to the staff of the CCU at the Cape Breton
Regional Hospital. Their kindness and compassion will never be
forgotten.
Isle of the Eastern Shore
O Island of the Eastern Shore
To us you are so dear,
The grandeur of your rolling hills
Will ever hold us near.
You stand there so majestically
The world you would defy,
Inspiration to your fighting sons
On land, at sea, in sky.
You gathered us at childhood
As we left our mother's knee,
Taught us love of nature
A way of life that's free.
Now we fight in distant lands
Where men are not as free,
But our dreams are of Cape Breton
Our Island by the sea.
And when those warring nations
Are crushed to rise no more,
We'll come back to our Cape Breton
Isle of the Eastern Shore.
Condolences
To Nanny Teresa and all Poppy Sharkey's Family....
we loved him in life and we mourn him today.... may his soul rest in the Lord.... we had a lot of laughs in this lifetime.... we'll miss his smile and his sense of humor.
— Trickie & Steve Madden
Teresa and all the MacDonald family,we extend our sincerest sympathy to you ,on the loss of Sharkey, and be assured we will keep him in our thoughts and prayers,may the good Lord give him life eternal,as he so much deserves,and may he give to you all,the strength and courage to carry on. Norman and Agnes
— Norman and Agnes Mac Lean
So sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. You are in our hearts and in our prayers during this difficult time. God Bless you all.
— Murray & Brenda McNeil and Harvey & Marilyn Mackie
Dear Teresa and all the family of Sharkey, I send my deepest regrets to you all at this most difficult time. I will always remember the many times when I would be home on leave from Petawawa and had occasion to talk awhile with you and Sharkey about school days in New Waterford, the army and life, it was always enjoyable. May God bless and comfort you all during this time.
— Derrick Nearing
So very sorry to hear of Sharkey's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
— Tammy Durdle-Malcolm
On behalf of myself and my family our heart-felt sympathies are extended to you and your family. May God bring you comfort during this sad and difficult time. Our prayers are with you. Beth Fraser Latham
— Beth Latham
Barb so sorry about the loss of your Dad. We know how close you were. Our thoughts and prayers are
with all of you.
— Class Of 1973- Sydney City Hospital
Dear Thersea and Family of Sharky. We send our deepest sympathy. May God Bless and comfort you all during this time.
— George & Winnie Donovan
Sorry to hear about Sharky. We will miss him. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this difficult time.
— Dave and Elsie Wilkie
Teresa, we want to extend our sincere condolences for the loss of your dear Sharkey. We know he will be greatly missed and we want you to know we are saying extra prayers for you and your family at this difficult time of great loss. Peace be with all of you in the family during these days as you comfort each other.
God Bless,
— Deneen, Ken, Keaghan and Rowan Norring
Theresa & Family - Please accept our deepest condolences. So sorry to hear of Sharkey's passing. Our hearts and prayers are with you at this time
— Paddy & Barbara McKinnon
Dear Theresa, Paul and family. I was saddened to hear of Sharkey's passing. I remember years ago when he and Theresa travelled to Calgary to see Paul and they came over for a visit. We had a lot of laughs - he was such a kind gentleman. God bless you all through this most difficult time.
— Shelley (Peters) Locke and family
Thinking of you at this sad time and extending sincere sympathy to Theresa and all to all the family. Although I did not know Sharkey, I always sensed the deep love that surrounded him when Tracy and Rhett spoke of him (and Theresa).
— Fidelle MacDonald
My heartfelt sympathy on the passing of your dearest Dad and father. Sounds like he was a great guy and will be so greatly missed!
My condolences go your way completely as I have lost both my beloved parents!
May God bless your sorrow at this time,
Paul Harvey
— Paul Harvey
Bernie, so sorry to hear about your Dad. May you find comfort with family, friends and great memories. Thinking of you. Peace, Bernie
— Bernice Webb
Another wonderful "Cape Breton Highlander" has left us with warm and precious memories. My heartfelt condolences to his precious wife and family. He and my Dad, Merv Stagg, will be sharing many stories in heaven today and celebrating their great times together.
— Janice Stagg Harris
I have so many nice memories of Sharkey. Daniel revered Sharkey and their past of both being in the Cape Breton Highlanders Second World War. Teresa, you and your family will be in my thoughts. Love Polly and Family.
— Polly MacDonald
Dear Bernie and family of Charles MacDonald,
We are so sorry to hear about the passing of your Dad, we know how close you were to him and how important he was to you. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
God Bless,
Colleen and Jason
— Colleen Mitchell
We knew Sharkey...and Junior for quite a while...He would come to our Canteen at Center 200 at the Eagles Hockey Game with Junior and he would stop by our canteen in the west concourse to chat and harrass us...just kidding but always cheerful... and they would always take turns buying tea or coffee and he always had kind words...and a tip for us...One day he came in and he told us he had gotten bad test results... the C word...but he said he was going for treatment...and he said " Donna you know life has been good and I am a lucky man to have lived this long and we will take one day at a time and God willing every day is a gift...and he told us about Junior ...and he said we all have our cross to bear and we'll fight to the end...thats all we can do...and I believe it was his faith and positive attitude that kept him going...We have not seen him in Quite some time...we didnt know if he changed and went to another canteen or if he was well enough to attend the games but we prayed for him and thought of him often but never knew his name...we only knew him as Sharkey... he left an impression on us with his sincere words . We will always remember him for the gentleman he was...Sorry to hear about Sharky. We will miss him. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this difficult time...Donna Cox & Tis MacNeil
Canteen Staff C-200 RIP Sharkey and enjoy your heavenly banquet.
— Donna Cox
Please accept our sincere condolences on the passing of your Husband and Father. We know he'll be sadly missed by all
— Judy and Rick Brunette
So sorry to hear of the passing of you dear husband and father.Isend my deepest regrets to you all at this most difficult time.My thoughts and prayers go out to you all.Sherry Currie.
— Sherry Currie
many fond memories of times spent at your home.sharkey will be missed but not forgotten.my best to teresa and family at this difficult time
— Bob Mackinnon
Dear Bernie and Family:
So sorry to hear of your loss. Rod, Alexandra and my thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Hopefully years of happy memories and family functions highlight his wonderful life and imfluence on everyone he met.
Regards,
KIM
— Kim Doane
Teresa and Family
My heartfelt condolences go out to all of you at this very sad time. I have the best of memories, spending time at your home, and I will cherish them always.
Jennifer Mulvihill
— Jennifer Mulvihill
Bernie, Donna & Family - Our heartfelt condolences go out to you at this time. We hope your treasured memories your father (Poppy) bring you comfort day-by-day. Sherry & Ken Hamilton
— Sherry & Ken Hamilton
My deepest sympathy to all of sharkys family.i enjoyed my trips to the hockey games with my dad and the shark.my dad always told me that sharkey was one of the best.he was right on.thanks for the stories and some great laughs in the back seat of the van.thank you for protecting us during the war.when you see my dad in heaven,tell him i said hello.love ya shark.
— randy jollie
I am very sorry to learn of Sharkey's death. He gave a great deal to the whole community. He was always very positive and encouraging to me as well. We enjoyed telling the "stories" about the "characters" in New Waterford, including my own relatives of course! It was good to have "some of Sharkey here" in Antigonish when Andrew was here at St. FX.
— (Fr.) Tommie MacNeil
Sending our condolences on the passing of Sharkey.
Hold on to those memories, they will help you in your time of sorrow.
— Ernest & Carolyn (Poirier) Boudreau
Teresa, Bernie and Donna and all the MacDonald family...was very sorry to hear about Sharkey's passing...please accept our sincere condolences.
— Pat Desveaux and Micker MacNeil
Dear Paul, Teresa, and Family
Wishing you the best at this difficult time. I have many fond memories of Sharkey and your family. Paul, I'll give you a call in a few weeks when your back to Alberta. Take Care
— Paul Kearney
Hello Bernie and family
So sorry to learn of your loss, I too lost a father and know how this affects a family. Please accept my deepest condolences fro you and yur family Sincerly Barry Barnet (former minister)
— Barry Barnet
I did not know Sharkey but my Dad always spoke highly f him ad the name was spoken many times in our house when I was growing up. If he was here I know he would be there to support uou all and to remember his friend..God bless for Phonse MacDonald late of Reserve and formerly Wilson Ave new Waterford..
— Beverly MacDonald
Barb,
Heard from Beth about your Dad. My sympathy to you and your family on your loss. From my own experience I can tell you that memories of laughter, special times shared, and all the wisdom your Father shared with you all will keep him strong in your hearts and bring a smile to your faces.
Hugs from across the miles,
Janet
— Janet Chesal
My sincere sympathy to you and your family.
— Patricia Mcleod
From all the Mathesons, our thoughts and prayers to you and your families. These are difficult times and family matters most- it is your strength.
— allan matheson
So sorry to hear of Sharkeys passing. I'm still away, so I couldn't make the funeral, but my thoughts and prayers are with you all. Sharkey was a wonderful man and will surely be missed. God bless. Annie Mae Chiasson
— Annie Mae Chiasson
So sorry to hear about Sharky. I met him a few times during the Cape Breton Highlanders Reunion Dinner. My grandfather Daniel MacCormack was a member of the highlanders. Sharky always met my mother, aunts and myself with a smiile and a story. He will be missed. Thinking of you and keeping you in our hearts. With sympathy Ruthann Organ, Carol Reynolds(MacCormack)Betty MacDonald(MacCormack) Colleen MacCormack
— Ruthann Organ
Sorry to hear of Sharky's passing. i'm sure he will be missed by everyone who knew him. i had the pleasure of knowing him through his son paul. He was a good man. RIP Sharky!!
— Charles Steele
Dear Teresa and family, please know that I am thinking of you all today. It has been many years since I have been a part of Sharkey's willing 'audience' but I vividly remember having many a laugh listening to his stories, rich with the history of our town and its people...and I have also had the distinct pleasure of sharing many a laugh with the family :0)....a family blessed with those wonderful genes from both Mom and Dad. My sincere condolences to all.
Jeanette Milley
— Jeanette Milley
