Thomas Gerard ‘Tom’ Kiely

Funeral service for the late Thomas Gerard ‘Tom’ Kiely, 77, Antigonish, was held September 17 in St. Ninian Cathedral with Father Donald MacGillivray officiating. Burial was in the parish cemetery. Mr. Kiely died September 12, 2018, at home. Readers at the funeral Mass were granddaughters Christina Kempster, Grace Kiely, Therese MacGillivray and Alexondra Kiely. Music was provided by Sister Catherine MacGillivray and Emery Van de Wiel. Pallbearers were grandsons Jamie MacGillivray, Steven MacGillivray, Andrew Kempster, Dekker Kiely and friends John Kelly and John Kennedy. Born October 1, 1940, in Antigonish, he was a son of the late Duncan and Christina (Kennedy) Kiely. He grew up with his seven brothers in Southside Harbour, and graduated from Maritime Forest Ranger School in 1961 in Fredericton, New Brunswick. He worked as a forest ranger for Nova Scotia Lands and Forest for five years, then joined the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. He spent 30 years working with DFO, starting as a fishery officer, then chief of conservation and protection. He received an award of commendation from the minister for his exemplary work to the public service in 1995. Aside from enjoying time with his children and grandchildren, he was an avid sports fan and volunteered as president of Antigonish Minor Hockey Association, president of the Jr A and B Bulldogs, president of the Maritime Jr A Hockey League and, in 2014, received a Hockey Canada Award of Merit. He was an active member of the Blueberry Producers Association of NS. He is survived by his partner, Gwen Baker; two daughters, Mary (Angus) MacGillivray, Antigonish; Linda (Paul) Kempster, Halifax; son, Bob (Kathleen), Fredericton, NB; eight grandchildren, Andrew and Christina Kempster, Jamie, Therese and Steven MacGillivray, Alexondra, Grace and Dekker Kiely; two brothers, Duncan, Hugh. He was predeceased by his wife of 48 years, Theresa (Barry); four brothers, Jimmy, Russell, Billy, Bobby. Memorial donations may be made to Canadian Cancer Society or Jumpstart. Online condolences: www.MacIsaacs.ca