Cecil MacLeod

It is with deep sorrow that we, the family, announce the passing of our husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at the age of 91, with his loving family by his side.

Born in Donkin on November 5, 1932, Cecil was the son of the late Daniel and Evelyn (Hussey) MacLeod.  He was the last surviving member of his immediate family.

At the young age of 17, Cecil enlisted in the First Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment and started what would become a long career in service of our country. He served in Korea and Japan during the Korean war, a heroic act for which he was most proud, earning his Jump Wings as a Paratrooper and achieving the rank of Corporal before his release. Upon his return home, he joined the Department of National Defense, serving as a firefighter and an inspector for 30 years.

Cecil was a 53-year member of the Armstrong Memorial Branch 19 of the Royal Canadian Legion. During that time, he served in every office of the branch, including several terms as president amounting to ten years total between 1980 and 2008. In fact, Cecil has been the honorary president of the branch up until the time of his passing. Cecil received the highest Legion award, The Palm Leaf to the Meritorious Service Medal in 2003 for exemplary and unselfish service. He was also a former instructor with the 562 Royal Cabot Air Cadet Squadron and served on the branch’s sponsoring committee for the Air Cadets for 30 years. In 2018 he was honoured to receive The Sovereign Medal for Volunteers from the Governor General of Canada in recognition of significant volunteer contributions to one’s community.

Most importantly, Cecil was a dedicated husband and loving father who enjoyed every minute spent with his family, and was happiest when they were all gathered together, whether at Christmastime or around the pool in summer. He will be dearly missed by his wife Virginia “Cassie” (LeMoine), to whom he was married for 68 years, along with daughters Sandra MacLeod (Morrison) and Denise MacLeod (Craig).  He is also survived by his grandchildren Adriana (Matt), Daniel (Natalia), Jessica (Nik), Erika and Nicole (Meghan), and great-granddaughter Olivia.  

Besides his parents Cecil was predeceased by his sisters Joan and Agnes, and his brothers Johnny and William.

Visitation for Cecil will be held from 2-4 and 6-8 pm, Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant Street, North Sydney.  A funeral service for Cecil will be held the following week at 11:00 am, Tuesday, June 4, at St. John The Baptist Anglican Church with Rev. Debbie Fice officiating. The family encouraged donations to be made to the Branch 19 Royal Canadian Legion Poppy Fund or the Last Post Fund. Burial will follow at a later date.  Online condolences can be left for the family by leaving a message on the tribute wall of the obituary at www.wjdooley.com.

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