Pius Macisaac Obituary, Death – Pius Macisaac, a well-known Cape Breton guitarist has passed away. Pius has been a fixture at ceilidhs, dances, and concerts around Inverness County for for two decades. On the island, he was a famous performer at community events and parish hall dances, attracting a large number of tourists. Pius introduced people to music by hosting informal ceilidhs every second Thursday night during the winter at the Mabou Seniors Lounge. He started doing it in November and persisted throughout winter. He is well-known for his passion for music. Pius just appeared in a Banks Schoolhouse music video directed by Michael Nikas. Pius sings “Christmas Is,” his original Christmas song, in the video.
Pius began playing the guitar at the age of 13 and has been a musician ever since. Pius grew up in Foot Cape as part of a huge family of 14 children with his parents, Angie D. and Stella MacIsaac. Among his early influences were Kinnon Beaton, John Morris Rankin, Natalie MacMaster, Ashley MacIsaac, Scott Macmillan, Dave MacIsaac, J.P. Cormier, and a number of musical acquaintances he is afraid to name. Pius has been playing fiddle and mandolin for around 10 to 15 years and enjoys it.
Pius recently purchased a J-35 Gibson guitar, which he enjoys playing, and he also has a mandolin and a violin, which he uses to perform and compose melodies throughout the year. Pius has recorded two of his own CDs at Soundpark Studios with Jamie Foulds. Music From the Heart, his first CD, was published in 2003 and comprises mostly instrumentals with one song sung by his friend Jeannie Beks. Pius released his second CD, The Greatest Gift, in 2005.
Pius is joined on the CD by friends and special guests Mac Morin, Kenneth MacKenzie, Kimberley Gillis, and Chrissy Crowley, who perform a mix of songs and Celtic music. Pius can be seen performing at The Glenora Distillery, The Red Shoe Pub, The Clove Hitch Restaurant, and The Mabou Farmers Market throughout the summer, as well as at many community concerts, ceilidhs, and private parties. His nephew Ian MacDougall (fiddle), Joe MacMaster, Sandra Gillis, Gregory Campbell, Doug Lamey, Kevin Lesvesconte, and others frequently join him.