Father Anthony Buchette
Throughout the book, I misspelled Father Anthony Buchette’s name as “Buschette.” I joked that poor Nana could never remember how to pronounce his last name, and then I go and misspell it. He was such a good priest. His masses were joyous. It was because of his masses that I started going to church again. He was a great friend and comfort to Nana; she adored him. I will always be grateful to Father Buschette for all his good deeds. He was an inspiration and friend and a wonderful priest.
Email from Ann Thomashay, granddaughter of Jessie McLennon Gillis
My name is Ann Thomashay, aka AnnMarie Gillis. I am the granddaughter of Jessie McLennon and John Gillis of Rockland, MA–USA.
Jessie had 10 kids. 5 boys, 5 girls … Alex, Florence, Mary, Margaret (Markey), John, Neil (my dad), Donald, Theresa, Joseph and Patsy. Alex died in the War at 21, and my father (Neil John Gillis Sr.), died April 13, 2006.
Mary, Markey, John, Theresa have also passed.
Florence, Patsy, Joe and Donald (Wishy) are still alive. Florence lives in the family home in Rockland, Patsy Burns aka Patsy Gillis lives in Rockland; while Donald and Joe live in Florida.
Gramma Gillis did die in a home in 1995, Mildred Alford Nursing Home. John Gillis died in the late forties, he got hit by a car, I believe.
Gramma Jessie was a strong lady and loved her kids. She was built like a brick sh*house as my dad would say…4’10”, a barrel of tough, but very sweet and quiet. She was a widow with her hands full, but she did good, of course, half were grown up.
I hope, wherever you are, and were raised, your family was half as much fun as mine! They were rednecks from the woods, with very little education but they had a mess of kids and a boat load of grandchildren, me being one of them. We had a lot of gatherings and a lot of love. We/they were very close, almost odd to families now days.
We are all kind of scattered now but we all remain Gillis’ and stay in touch.
My mom and family would love to know more about the other family members and how theirs lives turned out.
Take care, and thanks for your help with the info!
Email about Sister Andrea MacVarish an hour after Main Streets Interview
Small world!
Literally an hour after my interview with Jenna MacNeil (“Main Streets Sydney”) aired on CBC in Cape Breton, I received this email:
From: georgem@syd.eastlink.ca
Sent: Thu, 27 Jul 2006 5:22 PM
Subject: Sis Andrea MacVarish
Hi Robert: Just heard 1/2 of your interview on CBC radio and was wondering if the Sister Andrea MacVarish in your book was my Great Aunt. She was born in Glendale (Maple Brook) I think?? Her sister would be my Grandmother, Catherine, and she also had 2 other sisters, Sister Loretta Vincent and Sister Mary Rose, who were also nuns. If so she has nieces and nephews living in the Boston and Sydney areas. She lived to be over 100 yrs old.
Regards
George MacEachern
I replied right back to George to tell him that indeed that is the same Sister Andrea MacVarish, who lived to be 103 and passed away gently on August 3, 2004.
Correction about the house next to Nanas’s house on Rill – It wasn’t the Oliver House
I’m friends with several members of the Oliver family on FaceBook; I mention in the book that the house behind Nana’s — The Oliver House — was one of the houses that burned down. The Olivers never lived in that house but did live further up Rill Street. Thank you Marybeth for that correction!
Congratulations from BC High
I was exceptionally touched to receive this letter from B.C. High in July 2006 (click to enlarge):
(Click to enlarge)