Alasdair Aonghais Alasdair

Alec Ranald "Big Alec" Gillis was born on June 6, 1910, in Southwest Margaree, Inverness County, to Angus Gillis and Elizabeth Ann "Lizzie" MacDonald of Broad Cove. His Gillis ancestors originated from Morar, and Angus and Lizzie's family homestead was located on the Farquhar Road in Southwest Margaree.

Alec R. was a lumberman by trade. He married Annie Mae MacIsaac of Blackstone, where the couple made their home. His wife Annie Mae is also featured in the Cape Breton Folklore Collection. He was also a first cousin once removed to the renowned singer and composer “Bean Shandaidh Sheumais”, Maggie Sarah Gillis, wife of Sandy Sheumais. Alec R. himself was a fine singer and noted that he learned many of his songs from Alec John Alec S. MacLellan of Margaree Island.

Alec R. passed away on September 8, 2002, in Inverness. He is buried in West Lake Ainslie Cemetery.