Notes:

Died:
PYKE, Rev. Canon Gordon Earl
Age 83 of North Sydney, passed away in Halifax, Saturday, August 6, 2016, after an extended illness. Gordon was the last surviving member of his immediate family. He was predeceased by his parents, Charles Robert and Mable (Enion) and his sisters, Frances MacLean (Blowers) and Doris McMullin (Rod); and brother, Cecil (Gertrude). Gordon, the son and grandson of Cape Breton coal miners, was born in Sydney Mines and grew up in the family home on Atlantic Street. After graduating from Sydney Mines High in 1952, he attended Dalhousie University and The University of King’s College - graduating with a B.A. in 1957 and a LTh in 1959. During the summers he worked at Keltic Lodge, on the railway and in the same coal mine where his grandfather was killed in a pit accident many years prior. In 1955 he entered the Royal Canadian Air Force University Reserve Training Plan and obtained his commission as a pilot officer. He married Eleanor on June 24, 1954 and together they raised a family of five boys and enjoyed 62 years together. On May 9, 1958, Gordon was made a Deacon of the Anglican Church in a ceremony at Saint Phillip’s Church, Halifax and appointed to Saint Andrew’s Church, Hantsport where he served until 1963. During this time Gordon and Eleanor welcomed their first three boys. On July 25th, 1959, he was made an Anglican Priest during a ceremony at Saint Andrew’s - the first such ceremony to take place at Saint Andrew’s. From 1963 to 1966 Gordon was appointed to Saint Thomas 'The Garrison Church' in St. John’s, Newfoundland as the youth minister. Gordon and Eleanor welcomed another son. In 1966 he led a group of youth from St. John’s to a work camp at Port Hope Simpson in Labrador where they built a church centre and ran a summer camp for kids. 1966 - 1974 was spent at Saint Mary’s Church, Glace Bay and their final son arrived. As in all the parishes he served Gordon was involved in innumerable community organizations. Gordon’s final appointment was to Saint John the Baptist Church, North Sydney from 1974 to 1992. In retirement he filled in at Cape Breton area churches for the next 10 years until he packed it in for good and burned all his sermons. Many happy summers were spent at the family cottage in Pyke’s Point near Ross Ferry on Boularderie Island - gardening, berry-picking, swimming, boating, bonfires on the beach, the annual wharf rebuild and going for long walks. Gordon was also a big fan of CBC radio. There will be a visitation today, Tuesday, August 9th from 7-8:30 p.m. in Saint John the Baptist Anglican Church, North Sydney. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday in St. John Anglican Church with Archdeacon Brenda Drake officiating. Following the service there will be an interment in Trinity Anglican Church Cemetery on Tobin Road, Sydney Mines.

Gordon married Eleanor Matthews on 24 Jun 1954. Eleanor (daughter of James Matthews and Mary Leah Bragg) was born on 20 Jul 1932 in Sydney Mines, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia; died on 20 Aug 2022 in Halifax, Nova Scotia; was buried in Trinity Cemetery, Sydney Mines, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Died:
Eleanor Pyke passed away in Northwood Halifax Campus, Saturday, August 20th after a long illness. Eleanor was the last surviving member of her immediate family. She was predeceased by her parents, James and Mary Leah (Bragg) Matthews; her husband of 62 years, Gordon Pyke; her sister, Mary Maclean (Ervine); her brothers, Clifford (Eleanor, Kenneth), George (Jean), James in infancy and her grandson, Andrew. Eleanor was born and grew up in Sydney Mines. She graduated high school in 1949 and attended NS Normal College in Truro and two summers at Dalhousie University to obtain her permanent teaching license. She taught elementary grades in Sheet Harbour, Sydney Mines, Fairview School in Halifax and Hantsport. Some of her classes had 50 or more students. On weekends Eleanor worked at Kline’s Ladies Wear store on Gottingen Street. On June 24, 1954 Eleanor married Gordon Pyke who was also from Sydney Mines and attending University studying for the Anglican priesthood. They honeymooned in Baddeck where the parish of Baddeck had a cottage. In 1958 Gordon was posted to the parish of Hantsport where their first three sons - Jim, David and Tom were born. From 1963 to 1966 they were in St. John’s, N.L. at St. Thomas Church and son John was born. 1966 - 1974 was spent at St. Mary’s in Glace Bay and son Philip was born in 1967 as one of their Centennial projects. Their final posting was at St. John the Baptist in North Sydney from 1974 - 1992 and they retired to their apartment on Regent Street, North Sydney. In 1968 Gordon and Eleanor bought the family cottage near Ross Ferry on Boularderie Island. Many happy summers were spent swimming, boating, berry picking, long morning walks, bonfires on the beach, gardening and hosting their grandchildren and other family and friends. Eleanor was a talented crafter and baker - she made quilts, was handy with her sewing machine, spun wool into yarn, wove and knitted sweaters and granny socks for her children and grandchildren. Eleanor was renowned for her baking - especially fudge and molasses cookies (Fat Archies) and her Christmas packages of goodies was an annual highlight. In early 2016 declining health brought Gordon and Eleanor to Northwood Halifax and Gordon passed away eight months later. We would like to thank the staff at Northwood 7 Manor and 9 Centre for their kindness and professional care over the years. We would also like to thank the many clergy, friends and relatives who visited and supported mom. Visitation from 1-2 p.m. Thursday, August 25th followed by the funeral service at 2 p.m., both in St. John the Baptist Anglican Church, 24 King St., North Sydney with Rev. Debbie Fice officiating. Following the funeral service, interment will take place in Trinity Cemetery on Tobin Road, Sydney Mines.

Charles married Mabel Enion. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

James married Mary Leah Bragg. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]