Obituary of W. Aubrey MacLeod

MacLEOD, W. Aubrey Toney River 1927-2023 William Aubrey MacLeod passed away at the Maritime Oddfellows Nursing Home, Pictou on April 26, 2023 at the age of 95. He was born in Hodson, Pictou County to parents Billy and Jessie MacLeod on August 1, 1927. Aubrey started working in the woods at the age of 10 years old. He later became a lobster fisherman and left that to work as an oiler on the ferries with Northumberland Ferries Ltd. until he retired. Never one to be idle he developed a side business of brush cutting, firewood and snow removal which he continued after retirement. Aubrey had a great love for nature and animals enjoying bird watching, berry picking and gardening all the while maintaining his home in Toney River and his hobby farm in Caribou River where he spent a lot of time ‘out at the river’. His great delight was his family. He was so proud of all that his son Johnny accomplished and waited eagerly to hear his weekly bowling scores. He cherished his grandson, Troy Cock and great-grandchildren, Keira and Brody. Aubrey is survived by his daughter, Cindy and son-in-law, Ken Pettipas; son, Johnny MacLeod, all of Toney River; grandson, Troy Cock (Rebecca Battist) and their children, Keira and Brody Cock; Isolde, Ronan and Nola Battist-rhude; nieces, Betty MacLeod, Catherine Shaw, Marilyn Mackenzie (Paul), Megan Obst, Robin (Geoff) MacLeod, Melanie Ross (Brian), Sonya (Shane) Crawford and nephews, Grant (Shannon) Henderson, Josh (Lori) Ross, Laird (Crystal) Allen and many great-nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Jacquie (Eric) Ross and his lifelong ‘river companion’, Seymour Publicover. With sadness Aubrey was predeceased by his wife of 60 years Elaine in 2018. He was also predeceased by family, Georgie and Jim Burke, Mabel MacKenzie, Roy and Jean MacLeod, Allie MacLeod; in-laws, Kaye and David Henderson. He will always be remembered for his gentle giant demeanor. As per Aubrey’s wishes there will be no visitation. A public graveside service will be held at Heatherdale Memorial Gardens 2 PM Sunday officiated by his sister-in-law Jacquie Ross. If desired donations in Aubrey’s memory may be given to the Maritime Oddfellows Nursing Home Recreation Department, Pictou, Special Olympics Nova Scotia, or Northumberland Fisheries Museum, Pictou.