Shenacadie, NS
November 18, 1955 - October 11, 2024
With great sorrow, we, the family of William (Billy) Ignatius MacKinnon, regret to announce his passing on Friday, October 11, 2024, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney. One of eight children, Billy was born November 18, 1955 in River Denys, to the late Howard and Annie Mae (MacKenzie) MacKinnon.
The MacKinnon’s moved back to Grand Narrows and lived in the train station. Billy often spoke of the great times he had with family and friends while growing up in the train station. He was involved in local sports such as fastball and running. After graduating from Rankin Memorial School in Iona, he went onto St. FX in Antigonish.
Billy felt fortunate to work within his community, starting with the CN train bridge and later serving as Captain of the Grand Narrows ferry. He took great pleasure in being at the heart of community life, engaging with, talking to, and helping his neighbors. Billy often said, ‘what could be better than on the Bras d’Or operating the ferry on a sunny day, having the chance to see friends and family who were home for the summer and working with a great bunch of fellow workers. While working on the ferry, he pursued his education and earned both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from UCCB.
In the late 1980s, when the ferry was replaced by a bridge connecting Grand Narrows and Iona, Billy successfully transitioned to a role as a Caseworker with the Provincial Department of Community Services. His ability to continue his studies while working on the ferry played a key role in his career shift. He built strong relationships with new co-workers and friends and took part in various activities, including baseball.
His father, Howard, transferred to Billy an old worn-out house in Shenacadie. Billy moved to the Shenacadie house and was immediately bonded with it, spending the rest of his life painstakingly and lovingly restoring it, board by board.
Billy and his partner, Sharon, met on a blind date and have spent the last 37 years together. They enjoyed traveling in Canada and abroad. They traveled to all but 4 cities that host Major League Baseball teams, starting with the Montreal Expos. What gave Billy joy, more than traveling, was spending time with family, friends, and attending events across the island. He was an early supporter of the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles hockey team, where he attended many games with his friend Leonard, Sharon, and Sharon’s mom, Phyllis. Billy truly enjoyed trivia with his family members. They enjoyed asking each other their own unique questions. As well, Billy was on a trivia team with family and friends Thursday evenings at the Frolic and Folk pub in Iona.
Billy was blessed that people just seemed to like him. He had certain natural characteristics that drew people to him. Billy’s word was his bond and he had an innate sense of fairness and justice that always guided his relationships.
Billy had a special relationship with his parents. Billy greatly enhanced the quality of his parents’ lives, especially in their later years, as a result of his devotion to them.
Billy is survived by his partner, Sharon Crane, brothers Michael, Francis (Martha), Kenzie (Cassie), sisters Donna (Gillis) MacKenzie, Margie (Cyril) MacLeod, Mary Lou (Neil) Spence, sister-in-law Corrina, and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
Besides his parents, Billy is predeceased by his brother, Donald, and nephew, Neil.
We would like to thank the staff of 4D and the Palliative Care Unit of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital.
Billy was a great guy who led a good life, but nonetheless, those who knew him cannot help but feel that we, in the end, deserved more time together.
Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held in Sydney Memorial Chapel Tuesday, October 15, 2024, from 4 -7 pm and Wednesday, October 16, 2024 from 10 – 11am in St. Columba Church, Iona, followed by a funeral mass at 11am. Interment will take place at the St. Barra's Cemetery, Christmas Island and reception at the Christmas Island Fire Hall.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a charity of your choice.
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