East Bay
January 20, 1948 – May 7, 2023
We, the family of Henry Martell, are saddened to announce his passing on Sunday, May 7, 2023.
Dad grew up in the Acadian village of L’Ardoise and was the oldest of 12 siblings. Dad began working with his father at Harris and Harris Paving Limited in Sydney at the age of 14 and continued to work there until the company closed in 2009.
Henry built a home and a life for himself, his wife, and his children in East Bay. Dad was a self-taught heavy-duty mechanic by trade. He was a man with a strong can-do attitude, and many can confirm that there were no mechanical fixes out of his reach, even becoming known as the local “MacGyver”. He was sought out for his ingenuity, knowledge, and advice.
Dad was the “Ultimate Recycler”. To him, his collections of lawn tractors, scrap metal, and engine parts were simply awaiting their next incarnation (much to our mother’s chagrin). In his later years, his mechanical interests gave way to woodworking projects, most notably the gifts that he created for family and friends.
Henry will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 52 years, Bernadette (MacLean) Martell; son, Ken (Kimberly); daughters, Giselle (Joe Troke) and Michelle; grandchildren, William (Megan) Troke, and James (Sarahlyn) Troke; great-grandchild, Remi Troke, and 11 brothers and sisters, Alex, Steve, Gerard, Elsie Deveau, Joe, Mildred Briand, Percy, Bernadette, Elizabeth Hudson, Howard, and Victor.
Henry was predeceased by his parents, Ken and Evangaline (Mombourquette) Martell.
Finally, the family would like to thank the staff of Homecare Cape Breton; the staff at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital (4C); as well as Doctor Worth and Doctor Wong for caring for Dad in his time of need.
Visitation and memorial service to celebrate the life of Henry Martell will be held at Pier Community Funeral Home, 1092 Victoria Rd. (entrance on Church St.), Whitney Pier on Friday, May 12, 2023. A gathering of family and friends will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. with the memorial service to follow at 3 p.m. in the All Faith Chapel with Rev. Sheldon Chant officiating. Refreshments will be served following the service.
Donations in memory of Henry may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or a charity of your choice.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Pier Community Funeral Home.
Online Condolences
Sending heartfelt condolences for your loss. Hugs and prayers to the Martell family at this difficult time.
Bernadette and Marie (Bisson)
From: Bernadette Taylor
My prayers, thoughts, and condolence go out to Henry Mattel’s family and friends. Rest in peace and God bless one and all!
From: Brian Boone
We were sorry to hear of your passing but wanted to tell family we will keeps you in our prayers. God bless you
From: Jim and Shirley Ann MacNeil
Deepest condolences to all the family…Wilfred Martell & Anita
From: Anita
Dear Family;
Our Sincere Sympathies on the loss of your Husband, Father, Grandfather, Brother, Uncle and Friend. He came from a loving family in our Community and was a friend of my brothers who spoke of him kindly. We are truly sorry for your loss. May He Rest In Eternal Peace.
From: Leo & Paula (Harker) Sampson
To all of Henrys family i was saddened to here of his passing when ever you had to come up with a fix for anything Henry was the guy to go to he was always willing to help my he rest in peace Wayne Quinn sr
From: Wayne Quinn
Sending our sincere sympathies to you Bernie and your family. Rest assured of our deepest thoughts and prayers ❤️
From: Patricia
My sympathy to all the family
Condolences to all the Martell family on the loss of Henry. May God wrap his arms around him and may he rest in peace.
Condolences girls. Sorry to hear
Deepest condolences to all of Henry’s family and many friends .Henry was a great man with a great sense of humour and a great devotion to his family,hugs to all !!
My sincere condolences to all the family
We are sending lots of love to everyone back home. To say that Henry was an important part of my younger days is an understatement. The friendship him and my father had was amazing and dad thought of him often, even in his later stages. Henry was a kind man to all of us and helped our family out in more ways then I can ever say. Hugs to everyone. I hope they are together fixing something, kicking tires, and drinking tea. Hugs
Dear Bernadette and family,
My sincere condolences and prayerful remembrance at this painful time. Henry’s quick wit and humour is fondly remembered. May God bless you and grant you his peace.
Our deepest sympathies to Henry’s family & friends.
Condolences to the Bernadette and family for the passing of my cousin Henry,
So very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are being sent your way.
My condolences to you, Bernadette and Family, for your loss. Thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Condolences to the family may he rest in peace
My Condolences to Bernadette Michelle and family.
Sorry for your loss.
Bernadette, thinking of you and yours during this difficult time. We shared lots of laugh and goodwill while Mom, DAISY, and Michelle were in rehab! I hope Mom and Henry will meet up there in heaven, and chat remembering good times. Find peace in your memories. Lois
So sorry for your loss, hugs to you all
Sincere condolences Bernie , Kenny, Michelle ,Gesille and families. RIP Henry
Dear Bernadette, Kenny and Kimberly, Michelle, Giselle and Joe, we are so very sorry for your loss. It will seem strange not to see Henry pulling in to make one of his many, many evening visits with his special neighbor and friend AJ. His presence will certainly be missed. May Henry’s spirit of generosity and caring in helping others with his mechanical skills remain with you as a source of comfort. May the love, support and prayers of family and friends bring you blessings as your journey forward. God bless you all! Much love, hugs and prayers, Viola and Ivan
Bernie….so sorry to hear about Henry’s passing. Prayers for you and your family.
Bernadette, ken, Giselle, Michelle and all other family and friends of Henry, I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this very sad and difficult time. Take care
Dear Bernadette, Kenny, Giselle and Michelle and family
So very sorry to read of Henry’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this time. May he RIP May his memory be with all of you
My deepest condolences to you all. Hugs and prayers. He will be missed.
My deepest condolences are with you Bernadette, Kenny, Michelle and Giselle. He was indeed a very nice man and what I remember most about him was his strong presence and his humor. I remember the very first time I met him. He met Joe in the driveway and asked him if he liked fish, to which of course Joe answered that we both did. He said he would be over that evening with some and we could have a fish scoff(thats what he called it). He came by around 6:00pm with the fish and also Bernie and the kids and handed me the fish. He didn’t say that I had to clean and descale, and cook them, lol, lol!!!! But I did and we had a marvelous night. RIP Henry!!
I am so very sorry for your loss Bernadette, Michelle and family. May he rest in peace. Kim and Pat
Sorry for your loss guys.I have had the privilege of knowing Henry for many,many years and always enjoyed his company. He was a great. Guy. He will be missed.
Our deepest condolences on Henry’s passing. Prayers for you and your family. Rick and Lottie
Our sincere sympathy to you Bernadette and family on the loss of Henry may he rest in peace and the lord keep him in his care ! God Bless !! Michael Mac Innis and Hector ( Donnie ) Mac Mullin !!!
Sorry for your loss.
Condolences to Bernadette & Family.
Anne Marie MacAskill
My condolences to all the Martell family. Remember all the good times!
To Bernadette, Ken, Giselle, Michelle and all members of Henry’s family: Please accept our deepest condolences on Henry’s passing. He was always there to help out when asked and to share a story or two. Henry will be greatly missed in the East Bay community by his many friends. You are all in our thoughts and prayers at this sad time.
Rita (MacDonald) and family
Henry was a wonderful man who helped everyone,he was a great friend to my brothers and our family.he will be missed.prayers Bernie and family.love Crissy Mac kinley
To the Martell family i was so sorry to hear of Henrys passing if you ever needed a fix or a go to guy Henry was the guy to go to i missed seeing him at wall mart and chatting with him the last little while may he rest in peace Wayne Quinn meadows Road
Bernie & Family
So sad for your loss
I just heard about Henry’s passing
My prayers are with you, take care