Bernie Gillis

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Bernie Gillis on Sunday, May 3, 2026, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Born in North Sydney, he was the son of the late Elizabeth and Bernard Gillis.

In his younger years, Bernie worked in Halifax before returning home to work at Marine Railway in North Sydney and Leonard’s Fish Plant.

Bernie loved attending dances at the Sydney Mines Pensioners Club, karaoke at the Legion on Friday nights, and making people laugh. He had a great sense of humour and a deep compassion for helping others.

Bernie is survived by his daughter, Willena; granddaughters, Sarah and Emily; and stepson, Alex (Laura) MacDougall. He is also survived by his sisters, Arlene Lyle and Margaret (Wayne) Young; his brother, John (Ethel) Gillis; and his nieces and nephews, Nicole (Mark) Langille, Rhonda (Leonard) Forrest, Steven (Aimee) Gillis, John Scott (Heather) Gillis, Troy (Sherri) Harris, Keith (Karla) Harris, Donnie Harris, Raylene Harris, Tracey Young, and Rick (Jamie Lee) Young, along with many great-nieces and nephews.

Also left to mourn are his fiancée, Helena Chapman, and her family, who were very special to him; his good friend, Dorothy MacDonald; and his longtime landlord, Greg MacDonald, with whom he shared a special friendship.

Bernie was predeceased by his wife, Delores; his sister, Kaye Harris; his niece, Jo Ellen Gillis; and his nephews, Todd Lyle and Danny Young.

The family would like to extend sincere gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and staff of 6B at the V.G. Hospital in Halifax, as well as the staff of 3A and the Palliative Care Unit at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, for the kind and compassionate care shown to Bernie.

Bernie will be greatly missed by his budgie, Trigger, and the little ones who called him “Poppy”: Braxton, Liam, and Veronica.

Cremation has taken place. Visitation for the late Bernie Gillis will be held on Thursday, May 7, 2026, from 1–3 p.m., with a Celebration of Life to follow at 3 p.m. at JM Jobes Funeral Home, Sydney Mines.

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