Person Page - 11

Archibald J. Gillis

• Father: John Gillis^1,2,3 b. c 1805, d. 7 Jun 1891
• Mother: Margaret MacFarlane^1,2,3 b. c 1816, d. bt 1881 - Apr 1891

• Relationships: Great-grandson of Dougald MacFarlane, Great-grandson of Margaret MacDonell, 1st cousin 2 times removed of Donald James MacFarlane
• Charts: Descendants of Gillis Gillis & Catherine MacLellan, Descendants of Hugh Gillis & (?) MacEachern, Descendants of Ronald MacDonnell & Ann MacLellan

The ancestry chart of Archibald MacFarlane (ID # 34) is presented because he unites the ancestry of both his parents. If an individual appears more than once in Archibald's chart this indicates descent from the individual in more than one line. By clicking on the each instance (i.e. Ancestry of Archibald MacFarlane (#5)) each line of descent will be shown.

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• Religion*: Archibald J. Gillis was Roman Catholic.
• Name-Comm: His common name was Archie.
• Birth*: Archibald was born on 15 June 1856 in Gillisdale, Inverness, Nova Scotia, Canada.^{1,2,4,5,6,3,7}
• Marriage*: He married Mary MacDonnell on 28 February 1886 in St. Joseph's Church, SW Margaree, Inverness, Nova Scotia, Canada.^{8,6,9,10,11,12,13,7}
• Occupation*: Archibald J. Gillis was a farmer on 25 July 1888 in SW Margaree, Inverness, Nova Scotia, Canada.¹¹
• Death*: He died on 28 December 1946 in SW Margaree, Inverness, Nova Scotia, Canada, at age 90.^14,10
• Obituary: His obituary reads:
  
  Archibald J. Gillis 92
  
  
  South West Margaree
  
  On Dec. 28, 1946, St. Joseph’s Parish, S. W. Margaree, Inv. Co., lost one of its oldest and highly respected citizens, when death terminated the well spent life of Archibald J. Gillis in his ninety-second year. He was born at Gillisdale, Upper Margaree, son of John Gillis and Margaret MacFarlane.
  
  Despite his advanced years he was able to carry on his farm chores until he was stricken with a paralytic stroke six days before his death. He died after receiving the last rites of Holy Mother church.
  
  In his early youth Mr. Gillis learned the carpenters’ trade and later bought a farm where by his industry and good management he built for himself a comfortable home, while raising a large family of sons and daughters.
  He was kind, honest, truthful, and charitable, he inherited from his forefathers the zealous faith which he manifested by his fidelity to his Church, even when past four score and ten years. Cold or stormy weather did not prevent him from attending Mass on Sundays and holydays. It is worthy of note that he attended Christmas night services in his native parish eighty-four years in succession.
  
  Deceased was an interesting conversationalist, having a clear recollection of old narratives, containing history and humor which he delighted to relate to the younger generation.
  
  His wife, Mary MacDonnell Upper Margaree, predeceased him by 32 years. He is survived by one son and six daughters: Neil in Alberta; Florence (Mrs. Allan J. Gillis), Roxbury, Mass; Christina, Brookline, Mass; Katherine Jessie, West Newton, Mass; Margaret, Roxbury; Jessie (Mrs. Hugh Campbell), Inverside, N. S; and Catherine M. who came home from the United States several years ago to live with her father during his declining years. Christina and Katherine J. arrived home by plane three days before their father’s death. Florence and Margaret arrived two hours before his death. Two sons John Joseph and John Archie and a daughter, Margaret Ann predeceased him. He is also survived by one brother, Gillis Gillis, Gillisdale, N. S., and seventeen grandchildren. Of these Neil’s son Gerald is studying for the priesthood in the Franciscan Novitiate, Sherbrooke, Quebec, and Gilbert, son of Florence, studying to be a teaching Brother in Xaverian College, Silver Springs, Maryland. Rev John Allan Gillis, P.P., Bay St. Lawrence is a grand-nephew.
  
  The funeral, held Dec 31, was largely attended. Solemn requiem Mass was celebrated by his pastor, Rev. J. H. MacEachen, P.P., with Rev. P. A. MacLellan, Broad Cove as deacon and Rev. Thomas Trainor, Inverness, as sub-deacon. His remains were laid to rest in St. Joseph’s cemetery. Fr. MacEachen officiating at the gravesite. Pall bearers were Donald A. R. MacLellan, Malcolm D. MacLellan, John A. MacLellan, Charles Gillis, Hugh Gillis and Donald Gillis.
  
  The numerous Mass cards received and the large attendance at his wake bore mute testimony to the esteem in which the late Mr. Gillis was held by his many friends. R. I. P.¹⁰
• Biography*: According to the 1891 Census Archie was a house builder who could both read and write. The family lived in a one and a half story three room wooden house. It states the place of birth for his wife Mary and their children as Scotland, but this is most certainly an error.
  
  On January 18, 1944 he was living at S. W. Margaree.^4,15