It is with deep regret and sadness that the family of Elmer MacGillivray announces his death on May 2, 2019. Elmer was born in Reserve Mines, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.
Elmer will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his two children: Scott (Trena) and Bethany (Ray). He leaves behind three darling little grandchildren: Alexander, Jaxson and Isabella; and numerous nephews and nieces.
He was predeceased by his mother and father and four brothers and two sisters.
His elementary schooling was at St. Joseph–aphostrophe–s in his hometown, and later he attended high school and University at St. Mary–aphostrophe–s in Halifax; where he was very involved in sports, mainly hockey, baseball and football. From St. Mary–aphostrophe–s he entered the Jesuit Order in the Catholic Church where he was ordained to the priesthood. As a Jesuit he taught at St. Mary–aphostrophe–s High School in Halifax, at St. Paul–aphostrophe–s High School in Winnipeg, and Brebeuf High School in Toronto. His last assignment as a Jesuit was five years at St. Ignatius Parish in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Twenty six years later, he changed his career and went to work for Labatt Brewery for seventeen years. Elmer spent the last forty plus years of his life in Edmonton. For most of those years he was a proud member of the Edmonton Country Club, a place he loved and enjoyed. He was closely involved in fundraising for organizations like the United Way, the Christmas Bureau, Friars, Newman College, and St. Joseph–aphostrophe–s Seminary. He loved his sports, especially the Oilers, Eskimos, Blue Jays, and of course golf and curling.
Jerry Forst says
I met Elmer many years ago when I worked for Labatt Breweries. Elmer was one of the most genuine indiviudals I have known. Elmer was always more concerned about the person he was speaking with welfare than his own. I treasured hearing about his ministry work, hockey career and his love of charity work. I visited Elmer twice at the General and he seemed so upbeat about life. I will always remember Elmers giving ways and the twinkle in his eyes. God must have been a captain for his hockey team. Jerry & Ruth Forst Edmonton
Evelyn Black says
I had the privilege of working with your father at Labatt. He was an old-world gentle man and a true gentleman. I loved his Cape Breton sense of humour and the fact that no matter what was happening in his life, he always had a smile on his face. I worked in human resources and can say that any decisions Elmer made regarding his future were based on the welfare of his family – he loved you both so much. He had a wonderful and generous spirit. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your families in this most difficult time. May God bless you all and keep you in His care.
Paul Puma says
I was saddened and shocked to hear of Elmer’s passing. I wrote a rather lengthy letter of praise for Elmer’s 90th birthday. Elmer was responsible for bringing me to Saint Mary’s University in 1963. His one phone call changed my life and for that I will always be grateful.
The letters he wrote to me in 1963 and 1964 have been kept and read to my children and grandchildren.
I will always remember Elmer as a caring, sincere and kind person. He will be sadly missed. My condolences to all of Elmer’s family.
May he rest in peace.
Paul Puma
Mary-Anne Lyons says
Elmer was a dear, lifelong friend of my fathers – Dugger McNeil. I have know Elmer all my life. My earliest memories of him are when he was a Jesuit and came to Halifax and spent time at our home – often saying mass in our family room. Over the years my father and Elmer keep in touch regularly and I always had updates on him, and saw him on many of his regular vacations in Halifax. When my own family moved to Calgary, we often travelled to Edmonton for hockey for our sons and soccer for our daughter. Elmer came to “scout” the games every time we were there, and then immediately reported back to my Dad in Halifax. He was always so joyful and loved reminiscing about the wonderful times he and my mother and father shared. As my parents got sick, Elmer and I kept the connection going with regular phone calls and letters. I loved our chats as it always made me feel so close to my parents, hearing all of his memories. I will miss him, as he was a bright spark in your day whenever you connected with him. I will remember him always as he and my Dad were 2 days apart in age, and every year on Nov 5th my Dad would call the “old fellow” and tease him about being older. Such a long, wonderful, life Elmer: so happy to have shared a little part of it with you.
Heres a big hug from me!! Mary-Anne (McNeil) Lyons
Douglas Clement says
We were saddened to hear of Elmer’s passing this week. We knew him mainly in conjunction with the Edmonton Country Club but also with the Christmas Bureau and many of Elmer’s other community causes. Elmer was a gentle and bighearted man who loved to serve others. He was caring and a lot of fun to be around, except when he hit a shot into a sand-trap, his nemesis. We missed him when he retired from golfing a few years ago. Our thoughts go out to his family and his many friends and associates. May he rest in well-deserved peace.
Doug & Marietta Clement
Cameron Macdonald 1953-1958 says
So sad to here about Elmer. I was a student at Saint Marys in Halifax and played on the football team he coached. He sure was a person I fondly looked up to. He was also a great hockey player and plaed for Halifax Saint Marys when they played for the memorial cup. The last time I say him was at a e=reunion at St Marys about 10 years ago. He will will be missed.