Coxheath, NS
June 20, 2024
We are saddened to announce the death of Howie Lake in the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney, on Thursday, June 20, 2024 at the age of 96.
Howie was the youngest child of Heber and Hattie (Hewitt) of Whitney Pier.
After getting married, Howie moved to Coxheath to raise his family. He lived in that area for over 50 years before moving to Parkland Cape Breton, but he was always a “Pier Boy” at heart.
In his younger years he worked at Thompson and Sutherland Hardware. After earning his professional accounting designation, he worked in the General Office at the Sydney Steel Corporation. In 1968, Howie began teaching accounting at the newly established NSEIT (Eastern Tech), which is now CBU, where he made many lifelong friends and inspired many young students.
For Howie, his family was most important, and he was always interested in and proud of their accomplishments. Over the years, Howie enjoyed lobster fishing, hunting, fishing, bowling, playing darts or poker with “the boys”. He also enjoyed relaxing, gardening, and playing horseshoes or tarabish at his bungalow in Big Pond; however, his favorite activity was entertaining (or being entertained by) his grandchildren. Howie was also a big baseball fan. He was a loyal follower of the Expos until their demise and then became an ardent Blue Jays fan.
Howie is survived by his children, Wanda (the late Lorne Gillis) and Howard (Kim); grandchildren, David (Meagan), Lorna (Mark), Kaitlin (Liam), Jonathan (Breagh) and Matthew (Ashley); and great-grandchildren, McKenna and Everly Gillis and Aiden, Callan and Mairi McCormick. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents and son-in-law, Howie was predeceased by his soulmate, Aggie (MacNeil), with whom he spent 58 years of marriage. He was also predeceased by his sister, Mildred (Sam) Murphy; brother, Roger (Thelma); and nephew, Brian Lake.
In keeping with Howie’s wishes, cremation has taken place and there will be no visitation. A private family service and burial will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Howie can be made to the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation or a charity of your choice.
The family would like to sincerely thank the wonderful staff at Parkland Cape Breton where Howie and Aggie spent their last years together. We would also like to thank the VON nurses, local paramedics, and the staff in the ER, 3B, and Palliative Care at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital.
Rest in Peace Grampy!
