Peter Reginald "Reggie" Thurbide

Reginald “Reggie” Thurbide

Mill Creek

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Peter Reginald (Reggie) Thurbide, age 96, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend, on Wednesday August 26, 2020 at the Northside General Hospital, North Sydney.

Born in Alder Point on March 12, 1924, Reggie was the son of the late Peter and Helen (LeBlanc) Thurbide. In his younger years he worked as a coal miner before moving to the Boston area, where he worked as a welder and made many lifelong friends and wonderful memories. He later returned home to Cape Breton where he was employed with the School Board Maintenance Department before retiring. He was a proud member of the Bras d’Or Pensioners Club and a devout parishioner and eucharistic minister of St. Joseph Church, Bras d’Or.

Reggie was the devoted husband of Bridget (Swan) Thurbide for 73 years, the much beloved father of Helen Perry, Miriam (Peter) Hawkins, Isabelle (David) Cocchi, Tommy (Cathy) Thurbide, and Gerard (Kristin) Thurbide, and cherished Papa to an ever-growing number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Millie MacLean and many nieces and nephews.

Beside his parents, Reggie was predeceased by his daughter Laverna Boutilier, infant son Peter, son-in-law Raymond Perry, sisters Hilda (Alphonse) Harrietha, Eva (Percy) McGrath, Grace (Bill) MacDonald, Margaret (Simon) Marsh, brothers Stanley Thurbide, Solomon (Marguerite) Thurbide, and brother-in-law Gordon MacLean.

Reggie saw the best in everyone, was soft-spoken, kind, and always a gentleman. His faith and his family were what mattered most to him. He took great pride in seeing his children and grandchildren grow and accomplish goals. “Hector” had a quick wit and some of the best one-liners, could often be found tinkering under the hood of a car, and loved fixing things. He radiated a quiet calm that only comes from truly giving yourself to the Lord, which Reggie did. He was well-loved and respected by all who knew him, particularly by his children and grandchildren, and will be forever fondly remembered and greatly missed.

Reggie’s family would like to thank Dr. Michele McKeough, his assistant Louise, and the many caring home health aides and wonderful nursing staff at Northside General who took such great care of him in his last months.

By request there will be no visitation. A funeral mass will be celebrated 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. Joseph Church, Bras d’Or with Rev. Peter McLeod officiating. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the Nova Scotia Department of Health protocols requires the wearing of masks and social distancing will be followed with a limited amount of seating in the church. Burial will follow in the Parish Cemetery. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant Street, North Sydney.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Reggie’s memory can be made to the St. Joseph Cemetery Fund.  Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.wjdooley.com . 

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