Obituary of Colin Roderick MacInnis

Colin Roderick “Collie R” MacInnis, 87, Merigomish, passed away peacefully, Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at home, surrounded by the love of his family. 

Born in Antigonish, he was raised in Baileys Brook, the son of the late Colin Cameron and Mary Catherine “Mamie” (MacGillivray) MacInnis. Colin started his teaching career in Nova Scotia in 1954.

He attended St. F.X. University, Antigonish and Brock University, St. Catharines, Ont., and taught at the Hamilton Catholic School Board until retirement in the early 1990’s. Colin was organist and choir director with St. Josephs Parish, Grimsby, Ont. and St. Francis Xavier Parish, Stoney Creek, Ont. for nearly 50 years. He gained many lifelong friendships through his church and community involvement. Collie often reminisced about his years as organist for the Marion Boys Choir, Antigonish in the fifties and sixties. In 1963, Collie married the love of his life, Claire (Ryan) MacInnis, and together they shared 44 wonderful years of love of God, family, and music. He was described by many as a “true gentleman”. Collie will be remembered for his gentle, kind manner, wonderful sense of humour, and love of family and God.

Surviving are daughters, Michelle MacInnis, Merigomish; Cathie (Jeff) Swift, Huntsville, Ont.; Susan MacInnis, Ont.; sons, Ryan (Kelli) MacInnis, Hamilton, Ont.; Sean (Sandy) MacInnis, Grimsby, Ont.; grandchildren, Alexandra (Josh), Ronnie (Laura), Kailey (Jay), Logan, Joey, Hannah, Carrington, Maxwell, Christian, Sarah, Colin and Matthew; great grandchildren; Grace, Colin, Morgan, Harper, Liam and Owen; foster brother, Jim Harpell, Truro; numerous nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by sisters, Goldie MacLean, Carmel MacDonald, Edna Chisholm, Gussie MacInnis and Wilma Burke; two sisters and a brother in infancy; foster brother, Gerry Harpell; brothers-in-law, Fred Burke, Charlie MacLean, Dougall “Dunkie” MacDonald and Archie Chisholm; grandson, Anthony Stanko.

The family will receive visitors 2-4 p.m. Sunday, May 26 in P. & K. MacDonald Funeral Home, New Glasgow. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 a.m. Monday, May 27 in St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, Lismore with Father Colin F. MacKinnon presiding. Interment will be in Mount St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bailey’s Brook.

Donations may be made in Colin’s memory to Mount St. Mary’s Cemetery.