Leonard "Sonny" Guy

Leonard Richard “Sonny” Guy

March 1, 1932 to October 23, 2021 (age 89)


With heartfelt sadness we announce the passing of Leonard Richard “Sonny” Guy—father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend—on Saturday, October 23, 2021, surrounded by his children at the Northside General Hospital, North Sydney.
A devout Catholic and faithful servant of the Lord, he joins in heaven his wife of 64 years, Joan (Bennett), and his daughter, Madonna “Donna” Jackson, who he lost this past year.

Born in North Sydney on March 1, 1932, Sonny was the son of the late Wilfred and Kathleen (Yorke) Guy and grew up in Hardwood Hill, Sydney, before the Guys moved to North Sydney.

Family was everything to Sonny. He and Joan provided a life built on a strong foundation of faith, love, respect, generosity and a home filled with lots of laughter for their eight children. He relished his role as Poppie and Great-Poppie to his 12 grandchildren and three great-grandsons. Christmases, birthdays, anniversaries and other holidays were always special occasions.

With a carload of kids, Sonny and Joan embarked on summer family outings to “the cabin” at Groves Point and Sunday drives that often included a stop for a twist of ice cream.

For 42 years, Sonny worked as a stevedore at CN / Marine Atlantic, better known as “the wharf.” After retiring in 1990, he devoted his life to his community, especially his faith community of St. Joseph Church, and made it his mission to help those in need.

He lived a life steeped in prayer and service, faithfully administering Holy Communion weekly to the elderly, sick and shut-ins at home and patients and residents at seniors’ homes and hospitals. He was an altar server, Eucharistic Minister and helped with custodial duties at St. Joseph Parish. For all these faithful acts, parishioners and friends lovingly called him “Monsignor Guy.”

For many years, he was a volunteer of the North Sydney Food Bank Society. He was a longtime member of the Father William Kiley Council 5109, Knights of Columbus, North Sydney and a fourth-degree member of the William B. MacLeod Assembly.  Never one to expect recognition for his community work, he received many honours from the Knights of Columbus, including Family of the Year and Knight of the Year. He was named a CTV Maritimer of the Week for volunteer duties at the food bank in 2015.  

In 2012, he received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his volunteer service. He and Joan received Apostolic Blessing citations for their dedicated service to St. Joseph Parish from Pope John Paul II (2004), Pope Benedict XVI (2006 on their 50th wedding anniversary) and Pope Francis (2016 on their 60th anniversary).

His generosity to those in need extended to furry and feathered friends. The birds and pets in his neighbourhood were the best fed in town.  He enjoyed refinishing and upholstering furniture. If you locked your keys in your car, Sonny was the guy to call. He was also an avid bowler with the Marine Atlantic Bowling League winning several titles with “The Silver Tops.” And there was nothing better than a good game of “crib” and winning at the harness races. He loved major league sports and you would never meet a bigger Montreal Canadiens fan.

Sonny is lovingly remembered by his children, Ann Marie (Sandy) MacGillivary, North Sydney; Nancy (David) Hoddinott, Halifax; Leonard (Darlene) Guy, Westmount; Colleen (Paul) Acker, Bedford; Gregory (Calvin Blades) Guy, Bedford; Stephen (Lori) Guy, Halifax; Carolyn (Brian) Aker, Sydney Mines, and son-in-law Lewis Jackson, North Sydney: 12 grandchildren, Cheryl, Michael, Katie, Melissa, Kyle, Alicia, Jenna, Cory, Adam, Josh, Liam and Olivia, and three great-grandsons, Sebastian, Leonardo and Bennett. He is also survived by his brother David (Angela ‘Jillie’) Guy, Sydney Mines; sisters, Mary Donald, Bedford; Sheila (Shaun) McMillan, London, ON; Marie (Greg) Westhaver, Howie Centre; brother-in-law Alex (Mabel) Bennett, many nieces and nephews and his great-granddog Maisie.

He was predeceased by his loving wife Joan Marguerite (Bennett); his daughter, Madonna “Donna” Jackson; his sisters,  Helen (Ray) Morgan; Lexie (George) Wilkie; Marjorie (Robert) Power; brother, Wilfred “Buddy” (Patsy) Guy; brother-in-law, Wallace “Wally” Donald and his niece Kathleen Bennett.

The family would like to thank Dr. Andrew Wawer, Dr. Jason Osborne and the staff of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital and the nursing staff on 4-West of the Northside General Hospital. A special thank you to Dr. Doug Kohlsmith - his family doctor - and his staff for their dedication to Sonny’s care over the years. 

Visitation for Sonny will be held 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 26 in the W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant St., North Sydney. A funeral mass will be celebrated 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 27 at St. Joseph Church with Rev. Doug MacDonald officiating and will be live-streamed on the W.J. Dooley Funeral Home Facebook page. Covid-19 restrictions will be in place at the funeral home and church with Proof of Vaccine, NS Government ID and the wearing of masks. Burial will take place in Holy Cross Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the St. Joseph Church Improvement Fund, the North Sydney Food Bank Society, the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation, the Northside-Harbourview General Hospital Foundation or a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be sent to the family at wjdooley.com. In the spirit of Sonny’s giving and kindness, we ask that you do a good deed in the community in his memory.

“Your goodness and unfailing kindness shall be with me all of my life.”

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