Obituary of James Robert (Jimmy) Garneau, New Victoria

James Robert "Jimmy" Garneau 66, of New Victoria, Cape Breton, passed away on October 22, 2024 in the Palliative Care Unit, Cape Breton Regional Hospital.

Jimmy was born in New Waterford to the late Henry Robert and Elizabeth Ann (MacNeil) Garneau on February 15, 1958.  

Jimmy is survived by his wife (partner of 34 years), Eileen (MacEachern), New Waterford, NS; stepchildren, Leon (Lily) MacDonald, Edmonton, AB, Shaun (Maeghan) MacEachern, Rocky Mountain House, AB, and Tiffany MacEachern, New Waterford, NS; sisters, Judy (Bill) Lowe, Lakeville, NS, Marjorie Garneau, New Victoria, NS; brother, Cally (Lynn) Garneau, Fredericton NB; step-grandchildren, Ellie, Aila, Autumn, and Eva; several nieces, nephews, uncles and aunts. He also leaves behind his last canine companion, Bruno.

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by maternal grandparents, James H. and Marjorie C. (MacPhee) MacNeil; brothers, Henry Garneau, Alden Garneau, and several aunts and uncles.

Jimmy worked as an Oil Burner Mechanic for over 30 years; the majority of this time spent working for Hickey and Lynk Oil Burner Service. Jimmy enjoyed all things tractor related; searching the internet (Kijiji) for bargains and useful items; spending time visiting and having coffee with his friends, especially his buddies Sheldon Lamey, Donnie Richardson, Lennie Barrington, and Bill Dares; entertaining VON, Renal Dialysis clinic staff, hospital staff - basically anyone he could capture in a conversation - with stories, opinions, and wisecracks delivered with his mischievous grin. Jimmy was a great lover of his dog companions over the years, whom he loved dearly. Black labs, yorkies and yorkie mixes.

Jimmy courageously persevered through his health issues, which continued to compound as time went on. He was able to work through many of his rough patches by recalling wonderful memories of his ‘happy place’,  Mira River Park, where he, Eileen, Tiffany, and Shaun spent several summers camping and enjoying a simple, uncomplicated life. He truly loved those days.

Gratitude is extended to the many care providers who were there for Jimmy over the past 10 plus years, especially the amazing staff of the Sydney Renal Dialysis unit, the kind and caring doctors, and staff of 4A CBRH and the Palliative Care Unit, CBRH. Many of you were more than care providers to him, you were his friends. Special gratitude is extended to Dr. Gordon Yeung for his unwavering care and support of Jimmy over the years.

Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held on Monday, October 28 from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at 11 a.m. all in V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home Chapel, 380 Smith Street, New Waterford. Father Paul Murphy of Holy Redeemer officiating. Burial will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, New Victoria. Reception will be held at V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home following burial service. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca. 

Donations in Jimmy’s memory may be made to Sydney Renal Dialysis Unit, Cape Breton Regional Hospital,1482 George Street, Sydney NS, B1P 1P3.