Bernard "Bernie" Martin Curtis

Bernard Martin Curtis

Balls Creek

It is with sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Bernard “Bernie” Curtis, age 83, loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, on Saturday, February 15, 2020 at the Northside General Hospital, with his family by his side.

Born in North Sydney, he was the son of the late Gordon and Winifred Curtis, as well as his step-mother Eileen Curtis.

Bernie joined the Canadian Armed Forces at age 17 and served as a member of the Black Watch. He also completed a tour in Egypt as part of the U.N. Peacekeeping mission. He later was employed with General Motors before moving back home to Cape Breton where he worked as a coal miner in the Prince Mine, retiring early due to illness.

After retirement he developed a passion for working with wood and carving in particular. He spent many years carving various animals which can be found in homes all over the globe.

Bernie is survived by his wife Joan (O’Quinn) Curtis; his three children, Gus (Marion) Curtis; Cumberland, Maine, Emily (Todd) MacSween; Uxbridge, Mass., Bernadette (Bruce) Beaton; Leitches Creek. Also, by his six grandchildren MacKenzie, Steven, Matthew, Alex, Grace, A.J.; his twin sister, Bernice (Simon) Fraser, North Sydney, sister Linda (Donnie) Stewart, Merigomish, NS, and brother, Pat (Sylvia) Curtis of Moncton.

He was predeceased by his sister, Shirley Cox and two brothers, Bruce and Blaise.

The family would like to thank the staff of Harbourview Hospital, Veterans Unit and the Day Program staff as well as the nurses of 4 West unit at the Northside General Hospital.

Visitation for Bernie will be held 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, in the W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant Street, North Sydney. A funeral mass will be celebrated 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 19th, at St. Joseph Church, North Sydney, with Rev. Leo Cordeau presiding.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Veterans Comfort Fund or charity of choice. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.wjdooley.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Bernard "Bernie" Martin Curtis, please visit our floral store.