Obituary for
Allan James Gillis
Allan " The Piper"
Peacefully after a period of illness on Friday, January 29, 2016. He remains father to Duncan (Ananda Kelly) and Alasdair (Elizabeth Logue) and very proud grandfather to Bodhi, Calum, Mairi and Rohan. Loving brother to Masie (the late Yvan), Jackie (Diane), Craig, Barbara (Vic), Paul (Sylvie) and Deb (May), and uncle to a friendly gang of nephews.
A proud Cape Bretoner, Allan revelled in music, genealogy, folklore and good conversation with his large circle of friends. Throughout his life - be it at a square dance in Glencoe Mills, a teaching staff room in Ottawa, or the Black Watch band room in Montreal - Allan was often noted for his gentle nature, sly wit and the steel-trap mind that allowed him to help geneaologists around the world with Cape Breton and Scottish connections. His family would like to sincerely thank the Palliative Care team at the Elizabeth Bruyère Hospital for the care, comfort and compassion provided to Allan at the end of his life.
Friends are invited to visit at the Central Chapel of Hulse, Playfair & McGarry, 315 McLeod Street (at O’Connor) on Saturday, February 6 from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. A less formal gathering will follow at 4:00 p.m. in Mother McGintey’s bar in the Heart and Crown Pub, 67 Clarence St., Ottawa. A Catholic Mass will be offered for Allan at St. Andrew's Church, Judique, Cape Breton at a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Elizabeth Bruyère Foundation (bruyere.org).
"All of us are better when we're loved."
- Alistair MacLeod
