Howie Centre/Big Pond
We are saddened to announce the sudden death of John William MacInnis on November 8, 2020, just four days following his 73rd birthday. John was a beloved son, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother, and brother-in-law, and he was a dear friend to many. He was a son to Dan Joe (d. 1991) and Christie (MacIsaac) MacInnis (d. 2017). At the time of his death, he resided in Howie Center but remained proud of his Big Pond roots having lived there for many years prior.
Growing up in Big Pond, John, affectionately known as “John Willie,” led a fulfilling life where he connected with family, neighbours, and the outdoors. As a young adult, he enjoyed exploring trails in rear Glengarry sightseeing and enjoying the woodlands, abandoned pioneer farms, and visits to the “Big Rock.” John also acquired a passion for birding and subsequently established Big Pond Eagle Tours for the travelling public and wrote a column in the Cape Breton Post – The Great Outdoors. He was also the co-founder of the popular annual Big Pond/Eskasoni Christmas Bird Count.
John inherited a love of Cape Breton music from both parents. He had a particular interest in the music of the “old-time” fiddlers. He was also an avid reader and built a huge collection of books on nature, music, maritime history, and genealogy.
He was employed as a pipe fitter and worked in various parts of Canada during his career.
Besides his parents, John was predeceased by his brother Philip; in-law parents, Tom & Rose Walsh; brother-in-law, Tommy Walsh; and sister-in-law, Barb (Williams).
He leaves behind his loving wife of 52 years, Darlene (Walsh) ; son Kevin; daughter Colleen (Craig Mills); grandchildren, Riley, Madison, Aidan, and Rory; brothers, Sheldon (Marlene), Jamie, Fr. George, Donald (Chantelle), sisters, Marie (Malcie MacPhee), Patricia (Ken Hutchins), Jean (Simon Murray), Bernadette (Johnny MacNeil), and Trese (Jim MacNeil); brother-in-law Glen (Debbie) Walsh, sister-in-law Faye (Ronnie Dauphinee); and many nieces, nephews, grand nieces, and grand nephews – all who loved John dearly!
John will be missed by his life-long friend and special uncle, Cyril MacInnis (Lydia) where their special bond began in childhood; and his extended family, Stanley MacIsaac (Verna) and Frank MacIsaac (Vina); and his dear friend Jack MacNeil.
John William was a quiet pillar of strength to the family and endearingly captured the hearts of all who knew him. Visits with John were treasured, meaningful and heart warming. The memories he built with his adoring quick wit, ability to make laughter, and his genuine sense of loyalty to all that he loved, will remain part of his legacy. Described as the “salt of the earth,” we the family mourn his passing but are blessed to have had him in our lives. Our hearts will be void of his sincere, supportive, funny, and loving personality.
Donations in memory of John may be made to the Palliative Care Society of Cape Breton County or another charity of choice.
Cremation has taken place. Funeral arrangements are undetermined due to Covid 19 and are entrusted to the care and direction of Pier Community Funeral Home.
From “On Eagle’s Wings” by M. Joncas:
And He will raise you up on eagle’s wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His hand.
Online Condolences
Colleen I am So sorry to read of your fathers passing. My condolences to you and your family.
From: Jessie Morrison
My condolences to Sheldon, Marlene, George and the entire MacInnis/MacDonald and Big Pond families! John Willie was an amazing Steward of the Earth! May he rise up and be carried on Eagles Wings to his final resting place! The love and prayers of Eileen Gillis and the Gillis clan are with you all in these days of great sorrow. Blessings of comfort to you all! Margie Gillis
From: Margie Gillis
Blessings Darlene. We will Miss John Willie so much. Albert saw him as a mentor and a Wonderfull friend and fellow Birder. Take care in his blessed Memories. Barbie and Albert
From: Barbara Mickey & Almickey
Darlene and Family: So sorry to hear of John Willie’s passing. As you know, we were great friends in our younger years, he was a wonderful friend and so full of fun. Please extend my condolences on his passing, I know he will be missed by all.
From: Patsy Campbell
Darlene, Kevin, Coleen and all, we are saddened for your loss and we are sad to lose John. We loved him.
From: Dennis & Carol MacDonald
Darlene and family, I am so very sorry to hear about John. My sincere condolences, hugs and prayers.
From: Martha Hill
So sorry for your great loss. Although we did not personally know John, through Darlene we knew she had a warm and caring husband who leaves behind many wonderful memories. Take care Darlene, Kevin and Colleen.
From: Donna and Jack Dalrymple
Deepest condolences to the family
From: Pauline Mac Donnell
My sincere condolences to Darlene and all the family. My thoughts and prayers go out to you during this difficult time.
From: Louise
So sorry to hear this Darlene. Condolences to you and the family.
From: Girlie Mac Kinnon
My heartfelt condolences to the MacInnis clan on your incredible loss
From: Tracey O’Keefe
Darlene I am sending you my deepest sympathy for the passing of John Willie. So shocking . Darlene I send prayers to you and your children and grandchildren and great grandchildren. John was a financial and a Gentleman.
From: Rosemarie
My Condolences on the passing of John William. God bless.
From: John MacIntyre
Very sorry to hear of John Willie’s death.
From: Charlotte and Lodge Mulak
Charlie, Joseph and I were very saddened to read about John’s untimely death. We will keep you, your children, and John’s siblings in our thoughts during this difficult time.
From: Marie Lorway
Sorry to hear about John Willie. He was the nicest person to be with. A Birdman of the highest caliber. Have a great time in Heaven, we all know you are there. Barbie & Albert
From: Barbara Mickey
Sheldon and Marlene and to the MacInnis Family. I’m so sorry to hear of John Willie’s death, please know you are in my thoughts and prayers through this most difficult time.
Rita MacDonald Bozohora
(East Bay)
From: Rita MacDonald Bozohora
Darlene and Family, sincere condolences on the loss of John Willie. We recall several happy birding outings with him and he was always ready to help us with identifications of birds we did not recognize. God Bless.
From: Pauline & Jim Siteman
My Deepest Sympathy to the Families and Friends, 🙏 May His Precious Soul Rest In Peace . ..A True Gentleman John Willie will be Remembered and Missed by All who knew Him…💔💔
To the MacInnis family: Please accept our condolences. Sad to see this naturalist, brilliant birder and kind human leave this earth. Best wishes to all the family, Ken and Barb Donovan
Sorry to hear about your Brother’s passing , my deepest sympathy.
To Darlene and family,
Sending you deepest condolences at this very sad time. Love Rhonda
My deepest sympathies to the MacInnis family. I hope the many enjoyable moments with John William will provide you with peace and comfort at this time and in the days ahead.
Dear Darlene & Family, The Mac Innis Families & Friends: My thoughts and prayers are with you at this most very difficult time. Take Care & God Bless! (Kathleen Boudreau, St. Peter’s)
Our deepest condolences to Darlene and family on the loss of John Willie. Our prayers are with you and your entire family at this very sad time.
Sincerely
Gord & Pat
My dear Darlene and family we are so sorry for your loss our prayer and thoughts are with you in such a sad time for every one we truly have a wish for you that you feel better soon you have a great family around you and they love you very much.You are in our thoughts LOVE ALWAYS Basil and Ev Gouthro.
so sad about your loss .We hope you find peace in his loving and happy memories.💞
love from Bruce and Debbie Coady
Marlene ,Sheldon and the MacInnis families our condolences to all on the passing of John Willie.I recall meeting him over the years and he truly was a genuine gentleman and a true son of Big Pond. Our thoughts are with you at this time.
Hello Darlene and family. We are so very sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time.
Love Jason & Lauren Broley.
Deepest condolences from us all to the family. And what a lovely tribute to him. May he Rest In Peace.
Please accept our sincere condolences on the passing of John Willie. I knew him as a fine gentleman in our younger years.
Darlene &family , So sorry to hear of John Willie’s passing my thoughts and prayers are with you all
Darlene and MacInnis Clan….Please accept our deepest condolences on the sudden loss of John Willie…our thoughts and prayers are with you all💔 Fly high my friend
John Edward and Judy
Darlene and Mac Innis clan so very sorry for your sudden loss my condolences to all!
To the MacInnis families please accept our sincere condolences on the passing of John Willie.
Dan Neil & Bev.
Very sorry for the loss of John Willie. :(…
We will all miss him very very much… ❤❤❤
John Willie was my professional “crow” advisor. Whenever I saw something unusual my crow friends were doing…
Hello Darlene and the McInnis family we are so very sorry for the loss of John Willie our condolences to you all💔
My condolences to the mcinnis family so sorry for your loss.we were very good friends in younger years..will miss him very much. rest in peace John Willie…
Darlene and all the family, so sorry for the sudden loss of John Willie. All our love and prayers are with you. Greg and Lil MacDonald.
To the Family,
Sorry for your loss. Thinking of all of you.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Ann Mac Donald
(Marlene and Sheldon’s niece)
Darlene, Kevin, Colleen and to the rest of John Willie’s family I an so sorry for your loss. It was such a shock to hear of his passing. RIP John Willie
Colleen, Craig, Aidan and Rory,
We are so sorry to hear about your Dad/ Father-in-law/ Grandfather.
Thinking of you all in this difficult time.
Jamie, Michelle, Cameron and Matilda
To all the MacInnis clan, especially Darlene, Colleen and Kevin, please accept my condolences for your family’s loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time.
Madeline
So sorry to hear of John Willie, I’ll never forget the bird tours and the wealth of information he had about the natural world in Big Pond. Thinking of all of you, Pat and Keith
Darlene, Colleen & families
So sorry to hear of your loss.
There is peace in knowing he is soaring with his feathered friends.
Darlene and family – we are so sorry for your loss. Marie & Anselm Doyle
To all the family, deepest sympathy…I never had the honour of knowing Mr MacInnis but if he is anything like the family members I do know there is no doubt he will be greatly missed…Rest Easy Sir
To all the MacInnis Family my sincere sympathy on the death of your husband, father, brother and friend. May he rest in peace.
John Willie was like a uncle to me.
He was a amazing man. Always there to listen when you needed to talk. Mac Innis family are awesome people. They have a good heart always there to help. I will miss our talks. Heaven has gained another angel. Rest In Peace Uncle John Willie. Until to meet again.
Darlene and Family.
Dear Darlene and family very sorry for your loss, I just recently found out about John he will truly be missed,
My deepest condolences Darlene and family.
Sincere condolences to all family members . RIP John Willie.
So sorry to Hear about John he was a wonderful man and neighbor My Thoughts and Prayers are with you Darlene Colleen and Kevin and Family
Sorry for your loss, our thoughts and prayers are with the MacInnis family
So sorry to hear of John Willie’s sudden passing and sincere condolences to his family.
Dear Darlene, Kevin, Colleen, Craig and families and all of John Willie’s dear siblings and their families and extended relatives and friends.
We continue to hold you all in our hearts, our thoughts and prayers as you journey through these difficult times. In our eyes John Willie was a prince of a man, so kind, wise and understanding.
May loving memories and the thoughts and prayers of many bring you comfort in your sorrow. John Willie will certainly have a welcoming place at the heavenly banquet. May he Rest In Peace! God bless all of John Willie’s extensive family and friends!
Love, hugs and prayers, Viola & Ivan
Darlene ,Colleen ,and Kevin and all the extended family we are sorry for your loss .He was such a kind ,gentle person ,and will be missed by all who knew him .Jean and F
red
So sorry for your loss.
Darlene and Colleen, my thoughts are with you. I am so sorry.
My condolences to Kevin, Madison, Riley and all of Kevin’s extended family. So sorry for the loss of your father/grandfather/ loved one. God Bless you all ❤❤
Darlene, Colleen, Kevin and the MacInnis and Walsh families. Thinking of you all at this sad time, what a beautiful tribute to your John Willie. The MacInnis family was always held in high regard by my parents and We got to know Darlene, Colleen and the Walsh family when our Mom was hospitalized a few years ago. Your wonderful memories will bring you many tears smiles and laughs for years to come.
Hi Jeannie, Albert&Martina MacKinnon
To the MacInnis family and those close to John Willie, we offer our most sincere condolences, sympathy and prayerful remembrance. A tough loss for sure.
Darlene, Colleen, Kevin and families,
We are very sorry for your loss, our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Darlene, Kevin, Colleen, and all the Mac Innis family,
So very sorry to hear of your devastating loss. Sending all my love and prayers.
Michelle Mac Neil (Mac Kenzie )
Christmas Island
Darlene, Kevin, Colleen and the MacInnis family, we are so very saddened by the news of JohnWillie’s passing. He was always smiling and so nice to me whenever I visited him & Darlene with my sister Marlene. My husband John had the pleasure of going with JohnWillie on a little hike looking at the birds around Big Pond when we were visiting one summer. My husband was so impressed with his knowledge of the wildlife and the history behind the lands. JohnWillie had a true gift in this respect with such expertise in these areas that would lead to amazing stories which he would tell with great enthusiasm. JohnWillie will be missed by the clan for sure, may all his wonderful memories give you comfort at this time. Thoughts and prayers are with you all!
To all members of the MacInnis family: Please accept our deepest condolences on John Willie’s passing. We are sure that he will be deeply missed by many, especially all of his friends and loved ones in the Big Pond area. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this sad time.
Rita MacDonald and family (East Bay)
I had a few occasions to question John Willie about his birding knowledge.He was a great teacher and was a pleasure to speak to.Sincere condolences on the loss of a great guy!
Our deepest condolence to you Darlene , Colleen and Kevin on your devastating loss . Love and prayers to all of you .
So very sorry to read of John Willies passing. Sincere condolences to all of the families from both of us. Joe and John worked together at both the Water Plants and had a few laughs together. Know that we are thinking of you all and keeping you in our prayers at this sad time.
Darlene & family
Our deepest condolences on the loss of your loved one, John. You are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
Debbie MacIntyre, Darlene Morrison
Dear MacInnis Family,
I read with sadness the news of John Willie’s death. I join your many relatives and friends in expressing sympathies and condolences, care and concern, friendship and prayer. I remember John WIllie with fondness from my days as pastor in Big Pond.
I assure you of my prayerful support.
Fr. Bedford Doucette
Darlene and family, we were so sad to learn of John Willie’s passing. Our condolences to you all. Lloyd and Christie White
I was so sorry to learn of John Willie’s passing. My condolences to the whole family. Melissa White
Sheldon and Marlene ,
Condolences of the loss of your brother.Gone at such a young age.
May God Bless you all during this difficult time.
May John Willie R.I.P.
Billy and Raylene MacEachern
Cgy
Formerly from the Bay
Sincere sympathy to all the Mac Innis clan on the loss of your brother.I assure you that you’re all in my thoughts and prayers.God bless you .
Darlene, Colleen, Kevin : My deepest condolences to you all and to all of the MacInnis family as well as, John Willie’s friends. John Willie was always so nice and kind whenever I would see him. Thinking of you all. Sincerely, Corinne Mac Neil.
Darlene and MacInnis family,
Our deepest sympathy on the passing of John Willie. May all your happy memories sustain you through this difficult time.
In our thoughts and prayers,
Harold and Irene Antle