Obituary of Cecil "Ed" Edwin Gillis

Edwin Gillis passed away peacefully on August 25th, 2017 surrounded by loved ones. 
Born in Upper Granville, NS, Ed was the eldest son of Lydie and Cecil Gillis of Upper Granville.  Eddie lived on the family homestead all 82 years of his life. Ed always worked hard wherever he was and enjoyed his sports, mainly softball and hockey.  Known as Eddie ‘the Eagle’, he enjoyed playing softball with his brothers and hockey with the Bridgetown boys, winning many championships.  ‘Big Ed Gillis’ was one of the top softball pitchers in Nova Scotia of his time, leading his team to Nova Scotia championships. Ed was inducted into the Bridgetown Area Sports Hall of Fame on two occasions; first, in 2012 as manager of the 1982-83 Bridgetown Hawks Juvenile ‘B’ Provincial Championship Hockey Team (along with his son Bruce as a player), and second, in 2015 as player and captain of the 1963-64 Bridgetown Hawks Intermediate Hockey Team who won the Western Valley Hockey League Championship.  In later years, he loved spending time with his family, especially as a spectator at the many different sports and activities of his children and grandchildren who participated in over 10 different kinds of sports and other activities.    Ed worked as a Salesman for Coca-Cola before working as Bottling Room Foreman at Acadian Distillers in Bridgetown where he worked for 27 years. Later he worked at the Spa Springs Mineral Water plant.  He enjoyed his last working years on Hank Colyer’s Farm in Carleton Corner, working in the orchard, gardens and vineyards where his grandchildren occasionally assisted him.  Ed served as a Reservist with the West NS Regiment for approximately 15 years.  He was a regular Thursday night dart and pool player at the Meadows for 30 years and he also helped with Special Olympics.  He was a faithful member of St James Anglican Church and had served in various positions at St James. Ed and Peg enjoyed their cottage at Trout Lake where many family gatherings were held.  Ed had travelled to both the Canadian and US Rockies.  Ed was predeceased by his parents Cecil and Lydie, brothers Erle and Ray, sister-in-law Sharon Gillis, brothers-in-law Arthur Harris, Bill Hache, John Havill, Ken Durling, and nephew Jeff Durling.  Ed is survived by his loving wife of 58 years Margaret Anne (Peggy) Harris, children Barb (Tony Fisher), Chester Grant NS, Greg (Allie), Middleton NS, Bruce (Maureen), Greenwood NS, grandchildren Cassie and John Fisher, Jenna MacDougall (Thom), Carly, Colin (Sarah Stanton), Matthew (Brianne Goulding), great-grandson Lochlan MacDougall, brother and sisters Claire Havill, Port Maitland NS, Jim (Anne), Colorado USA, Beryl Hannam (Earle), Bridgetown NS, sister-in-laws Wanda Gillis, Salisbury NB, Mary Harris, Dartmouth NS, Mary Gallant, Nictaux NS, Heather Pearle-Gillis, Nictaux, NS, and many nieces and nephews.  Visitation will be held 6-9pm, Tuesday, August 29 at Kaulbach Family Funeral Home, Bridgetown NS.  A Memorial Service to celebrate Ed’s life will be held on Wednesday, August 30 at 11am at St James Anglican Church, Bridgetown, NS, with Rev. Joel Hardy officiating..  Family flowers only please.  Donations in Ed’s memory may be made to St James Anglican Church, Bridgetown NS or a charity of your choice.