Obituary of Michael John Stephen MacInnis

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother and friend, Michael John Stephen “Stevie” MacInnis, on Saturday, October 6, 2018 in a tragic fishing accident. Stevie was proud to be a lifelong member of the community of Arisaig NS.  Born in Antigonish, he was a son of the late Gillis and Catherine (MacDonald) MacInnis. For more than 50 years, Stevie was a commercial fisherman on the waters of Nova Scotia.  He was very generous with his time in helping others learn the industry and did his best to make sure they were safe and successful.  He was the owner and operator of MacInnis Bluefin Tuna Charters, a member of the Gulf Nova Scotia Tuna Association, a member of the Canadian Auxiliary Coast Guard, an industry representative for ALPAC, and a part of the bluefin tuna tagging project, Tag-A Giant.  For the past 46 years, he worked in the off season for the Nova Scotia Department of Transportation. He was a community volunteer coaching and playing softball and hockey for many years and contributed to many community projects including the building of the Arisaig lighthouse and the community hall. He was an active member of the Harbour authority for Arisaig.  Stevie was very proud of his children and loved sharing his love of fishing and the outdoors with them and coming home at the end of a long day to his home “in the Hallow” and his wife, Mary. He loved a “hot cup of tea” at the camp with Bernard and Colin, Jack and Charlie and the boys, playing in the yard with his grandsons Oscar and Oakley, and visiting his grandsons Lincoln, Arlo and Indy in Edmonton, and visiting his son Danial and his family in BC. Stevie lived a good life.  He loved what he did.  He worked hard and with integrity.  He took care of his family and friends.  He enjoyed the people in his life, and he was generous with his family, friends and community.  He was selfless and brave, and strong. He is survived by his wife, Mary (MacKinnon), his son Danial (Liz), Squamish, BC; his daughter Carrie (Chris Colquitt), his son Shaun (Megan), Edmonton; and his grandchildren: Oscar, Oakley, Lincoln, Arlo and Indy, Sienna, Skyler and Phoenix; his siblings Hughie, Simone (Percy), Mary, Bernard (Margie), Colin (Nadine), and Bonnie (late Peter), and his uncles Steve and Ronnie (Miller) MacDonald.  He is predeceased by his parents, and his sisters Beverly and Carol Anne.   Visitation will be at Arisaig Community Hall 7-9 pm, Wednesday, October 10 and 2-4 and 7-9 pm Thursday, October 11 Funeral Mass will be 11:00 am Friday, October 12 in  St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church, Arisaig Rev. Colin MacKinnon presiding.  Donations in memory of Stevie may be made to St Martha’s Regional Hospital Foundation.  Rest in Peace Stevie/Dad.  We love you.