Rev. Jacob "Jake" Elias Andrea

Reverend Father Jake Andrea entered peacefully into eternal life on Friday, May 9, 2025 at the Northside General Hospital, North Sydney, NS. He was born in North Sydney on August 11, 1937 and raised on the family farm in Mill Creek.

Beginning his early education in Little Bras d’Or and high school in Sydney Mines, Fr. Jake attended Xavier Junior College in Sydney before proceeding to St. F.X. University in Antigonish. After his graduation from St. F.X. as part of the Class of 1959, he enrolled at Holy Heart Seminary in Halifax, being ordained to the priesthood in the Diocese of Antigonish on June 8, 1963.

Over the years, Fr. Jake has served many communities across the Diocese as part of his call to serve. His early years saw him in Canso and Little Dover, Pictou, East Bay, Sydney Mines, Guysborough, Guysborough Intervale and Salmon River. A five-year term as Chaplain at Cape Breton University (then UCCB) followed, where his easy rapport and sense of humor with students and faculty alike provided him with many fond memories. Moving back into Parish life, he later served as pastor in catholic communities in Dingwall, Bay St. Lawrence, Smelt Brook, Port Morien, Donkin, Glace Bay and finally in New Victoria and Victoria Mines. Fr. Jake served on many committees of the Diocese including, but not limited to, the Priests’ Senate, the Justice Committee, the Council of Priests, the Personnel Board and the Senior Priests’ Committee. He was a driving force in bringing the Cursillo and Challenge movements to the Diocese in 1978.

Well known across Cape Breton for his enthusiasm and participation in athletics, Fr. Jake was a self-professed sports fanatic, having won many awards and much recognition in softball, track and field, tennis, golf, hockey and even on the horseshoe pitch. In every step along his life’s path from his early school years, through university and into his parish life, his passion for sports and his competitive nature was never understated and provided a significant bridge in connecting with others. He deeply valued the many, many people with whom he came in contact through his ministry and his love of sports.

In 2013, he celebrated his 50th anniversary in the priesthood and he continued his ministry in a support role even after his “retirement”, often stepping in to assist with parish duties when fellow priests were away. For over six decades, he fulfilled his duties with a firm dedication to service and faith, touching the lives of so many. He will be missed.

Fr. Jake is predeceased by his parents, Michael and Jeannette (Gauthier) Andrea; siblings John, Olga, Rita, Joe, Dave, Elias, Gabe, Francis, Len, Lauretta, Theresa and Bernie. He is survived by his brothers, Tony in Dartmouth, Eugene (Anne) in Sydney and many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family members.

The family extends sincere gratitude to those who took great care of Fr. Jake on the second floor at the Northside General Hospital and at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital. Special thanks to Dr. Michel McKeough and his sister Louise, as well as Dr. Eugene Ignacio for the ongoing care provided to Fr. Jake.

Visitation for Fr. Jake will be held from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. on Thursday, May 15, in the W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant Street, North Sydney. The visitation will close with a prayer vigil which the public is welcome to attend. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 16, 2025 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Bras d’Or with a visitation preceding the mass in the church starting at 9:30 am. The Most Reverend Wayne Kirkpatrick, Bishop of Antigonish, will celebrate the Holy Mass with fellow clergy concelebrating from across the Diocese of Antigonish. Burial will take place at St. Joseph Catholic Church Cemetery, Bras d’Or, NS, at a later date. A reception and lunch hosted by the St. Joseph Parish CWL will be held immediately following the mass at the parish hall. Memorial donations may be made to the St. Joseph Catholic Parish Cemetery or to a charity of choice.

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