Obituary of Anthony Wilson McCormick

April 28, 1924 - August 8, 2017

In Loving Memory

McCormick, Anthony Wilson of Grande Cache, Alberta was born in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia on April 28, 1924.  Anthony passed away on August 8th at the age of 93 years.  Anthony is survived by his children; Betty (Pat), Carole, June (Peyton), Gale, Bob (Ann), Debbie, Mike (Maxine), Michele, Tony (Linda), Bill (Dulce).  Anthony is survived by his Eighty One Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren and Great-Great Grandchildren as well as by many nieces, nephews and friends.  Anthony is also survived by his brothers & sisters; Joe McCormick, John McCormick, Pat McCormick, Rose Marie McCormick, Mary Gracie, Chuck McCormick, Florence Steele.  Anthony was predeceased by the love of his life Ann McCormick, his wife of almost 70 years who passed away on June 24th, 2016.  Anthony was also predeceased by his parents Rose & Anthony McCormick, his brother Robert McCormick and his sister Colleen McCormick and by his son-in-laws Clay McLean & Dave Kosman .  Anthony always put the family’s well being and future ahead of any of his own interests.  Anthony’s dedication to his family was never more evident than when he uprooted the family from Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, a place he had called home for his entire life.  Anthony had family and friends in Glace Bay, his home paid for and had a reliable job with the Post Office, where he worked as a Letter Carrier for 21 years.  In 1970 Anthony moved his wife Ann & the children remaining in the home to Alberta, where the opportunities for education and employment would be available for his children.  Moving the family to Alberta was very difficult time, but as a result of this unselfish act of love Anthony’s children prospered, gaining education, employment and established families of their own.  Anthony loved his children deeply, raising his ten children in the faith of Jesus and instilling into his children a sense of strength, self-worth, decency, love and compassion, which in turn was passed along to the next generations. In his life Anthony fought through many illnesses and hardships, but continued to show a genuine enthusiasm for life, with a dogged determination to put his family first, with his wife Ann as his strength by his side through it all.  Anthony demonstrated a steadfast faith in Jesus Christ, leading the family by example and prayer, praying often to our Lord and our Lord’s holy Mother Mary.
Anthony enlisted in the Armed Forces at only 16 years of age (exaggerating his years), joining the Cape Breton Highlanders.  Anthony was deployed to fight in the Second World War, fighting with the allied forces.  Dad became deathly ill with malaria while fighting in Sicily and was sent to hospital in England to recover and then provided assistance to the allied forces being stationed in England for the remainder of the war.  Anthony returned to Canada following the war and met his wife Ann.  Anthony loved his wife Ann with a deep, abiding and unwavering love, a love that lasted 70 years, with both of them walking hand in hand with Jesus until she passed away in Anthony’s loving embrace, as he whispered to her “I promised you I would love you your whole life & I will love you forever!”  Anthony was devastated upon Ann’s passing last year and longed to be with his love for the last 13 months.  Anthony passed away on August 8th, one day before Ann’s birthday on August 9th, giving his Ann one last birthday present, being together again in God’s Heavenly Kingdom.  Anthony will be sorely missed, but his legacy of strength, family, faith, hope and love will continue to live in his family.  And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:13, NIV).   A Funeral Mass was held at the Holy Cross Parish, Grande Cache, Alberta at 1:00 p.m., Monday, August 14, 2017.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Whispering Pines Lodge Social Fund in memory of Anthony McCormick.
Thank you to Doctor VanDenBerg and to Dr. Greef and to all the nursing personnel at the Grande Cache Community Health Complex for your excellent medical attention and compassion.  Thank you to RN Mark Riley – Anthony’s Homecare Case Manager and to all the nursing personnel working in homecare for your unwavering support, compassion & dignity offered to Anthony for many years.  Thank you to Doris Mills, Donna Winsor & all the staff at the Whispering Pines Lodge, for your thoughtful, kind and reliable support that was offered to Anthony over the last eight years.  Also, we wish to thank Emily & Joyce for befriending Anthony, sharing meals while offering your kindness & support over the last year.
Care entrusted to Bear Creek Funeral Home (780) 830-7742 www.bearcreekfuneral.com