Obituary of Vince MacGillivray

Link to Funeral Mass:  https://youtu.be/Mdi8wKCh_jg

Vince MacGillivray, 76, of Arisaig, passed away peacefully in St. Martha’s Regional Hospital, Antigonish, surrounded by family and his loving wife, Bobbi, of 51 years on Sunday December 6th, 2020. The 10th of 18 children he was a son of the late John Alex and Margaret (Blackburn) MacGillivray of Lakevale.

From the tender age of two years, Vince was welcomed and raised by the late Allan R and Sadie (MacGillivray) MacDonald of Arisaig. Vince was a talented craftsman and carpenter. His first build as a young boy was a car constructed with wood and held together with many nails. Years later his children enjoyed many hours of play with his first creation. From there he went on to become the well known carpenter, the community knew and admired. Over the years, he shared his passion for building and was instrumental in training many young men who have become the carpenters they are today.

Not only was Vince a carpenter he was a man of the sea, and fished for many years off the waters of the Northumberland Strait. Vince loved to entertain and many will fondly remember gathering at the MacGillivray’s for a big feed of lobster.

Vince was both a proud and active member of the Arisaig community and the Parish of St. Margaret of Scotland. Vince contributed to many community projects including the construction of the current Arisaig Community hall.

Vince loved Horse shoes, boat rides, hunting, tinkering in the shop, watching the sunset from his deck, plowing snow in a blizzard, tending to his gardens, early mornings at the rink with his boys, listening to his children making music and time spent with family especially in the summer.

Vince is survived by his wife, Bobbi (MacDonald); his children, Laurell (Andrew) McGregor, Karla (Marty) Lavallee, Collette (Trevor) Stewart, Shane and Aaron MacGillivray. His siblings, Allan (Debbie), Leo (Donalda), Tony, Kenneth (Kim), Phillip (Joan), Kathleen, Florence (Donald). He will be dearly missed by his grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, and furbabies. Beside his parents he was predeceased by nine brothers, Johnnie, Hugh, Frank, Cyril, Angus, Colin, Doug, Gerald and Wayne, one sister Mary. Sisters-in-law Janice, Bernadette, Annette and Rita MacGillivray and brother-in-law Charles Knocton. Also predeceased by his mother- and father-in-law Dougall Dunkie and Carmie (MacInnis) MacDonald.

Vince will truly be missed by countless friends and family members, but will certainly never be forgotten. Everyone who remembers him is asked to celebrate Vince’s life in their own way, raising a glass of their favorite drink (Dileag Mhor or Gillick) in his memory would be quite appropriate.

Visitation will be on Thursday, December 10th from 2-4 pm and 7-9pm in MacIsaac Funeral Home, 61 Pleasant St Antigonish.  Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 am Friday in St. Margaret of Scotland Church, Arisaig with Rev. Colin MacKinnon presiding. Please adhere to COVID-19 protocols at both visitation and funeral.  Burial in the parish cemetery. As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be sent to Cathy’s Place, St. Martha’s Regional Hospital in Antigonish. www.MacIsaacs.ca