Father Jake Andrea died on Friday, May 9, 2025, at the Northside General Hospital, North Sydney. He was 87 years old, in his 61st year of priesthood.
He was born on August 11, 1937, in North Sydney and raised on the family farm in Mill Creek. Fr. Jake was predeceased by his parents, Michael and Jeannette (Gauthier), as well as his siblings: John, Olga, Rita, Joe, Dave, Elias, Gabe, Francis, Len, Lauretta, Theresa, and Bernie. He is survived by his brothers, Tony in Dartmouth and Eugene (Anne) in Sydney, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family members.
He was ordained by Bishop William E. Power on June 8, 1963, at St. Ninian Cathedral. He served in various capacities within the Diocese, including Assistant Pastor, Administrator, and Chaplain. Beginning in 1963, Father Jake served at Star of the Sea Parish, Canso, Stella Maris Parish, Pictou, St. Mary’s Parish, East Bay, St. Ann’s Parish, Guysborough, St. Pius X Parish, Sydney Mines, St. Joseph’s, North Sydney, St, Joseph’s Parish, Dingwall, St. Margaret’s Parish, St. Lawrence, St. Mary’s Parish, Port Morien, St. John’s Parish, New Aberdeen, St. Anthony’s, Glace Bay, St. Mary’s, Port Morien and St. Gregory’s, Donkin, St. Joseph, New Victoria and St. Alphonsus, Victoria, St. Joseph’s Parish, North Sydney until 2011. He remained very active in retirement, assisting wherever needed.
From 1972 until 1975, he attended Summer School at Boston College, pursuing the Religious Education program. Fr. Jake served on several Diocesan committees, including the Council of Priests, the Justice Committee, and the Senior Priests’ Committee. He was a driving force in bringing the Cursillo and Challenge movements to the Diocese. He served for five years as Chaplain at Cape Breton University (then UCCB), where his easy rapport and sense of humour with students and faculty alike provided him with many fond memories. He also served briefly as the RC Chaplain, College of Cape Breton and Chaplain, Coast Guard College, Sydney.
He was well known across Cape Breton for his enthusiasm for and participation in athletics. Fr. Jake was a self-professed sports fanatic, having won numerous awards and much recognition in softball, track and field, tennis, golf, hockey and even on the horseshoe pitch. Throughout his life’s path, from his early school years to university and into his parish life, his passion for sports and competitive nature were never understated, providing a significant bridge in connecting with others. He deeply valued the many, many people he came into contact with through his ministry and his love of sports!
Funeral Mass was celebrated on Friday, May 16 at St. Joseph Church, Little Bras d’Or. Burial in the parish cemetery at a later date.