Michael Douglas Macdonald

It is with profound sadness that we announce the death of Michael Douglas Macdonald who died of natural causes, suddenly and unexpectedly, at his home in Halifax, Nova Scotia on December 19, 2015. He was 52 years old.

Michael was born on February 5, 1963 in Botwood, Newfoundland and was the son of the late Dr. Fraser Macdonald and Norma Claire (Wamback) Macdonald. He is survived by his mother and by brother David Norman Macdonald (Ali), and children of David and Ali, Olivia and Kate, of Burnaby, BC and his sister Heather Lynn Macdonald (Alberto) of Verona, Italy.

Also surviving are two aunts, Hazel Macdonald of Yarmouth, NS and Dr. Marlene Buckler of Sarasota, Florida and an uncle, Arthur Wamback of Dartmouth, NS. Michael was predeceased by his maternal and paternal grandparents. He has a great uncle and cousins living in Halifax, Yarmouth, Massachusetts, Florida and Tennessee. He was especially fond of the young sons of his cousins Lisa and Jill and delighted in taking Samuel and Matthew Gillis and Christopher and Conner Temple on fishing day trips and for walks in the woods where he inspired in them a keen interest in the flora and fauna.

Michael graduated from St. Mary’s University in Halifax with BSc and BEd degrees. His work experience took him to Swaziland, Africa, with the World University Service of Canada (WUSC), where he taught high school science and math for four years. He then spent an additional year doing walkabouts in various African countries, before returning to Canada.

Michael taught parasitology and entomology classes at Dalhousie University, Halifax. He worked for some years with the environmental consulting firm, Jacques Whitford and at the time of his death was working as a Terrestrial Ecologist at Stantec in Dartmouth.

It would take pages to properly describe Michael’s attributes and the tremendous positive influence he had on family, friends and colleagues. He had a deep passion for the natural world, reptiles in particular, that was fostered at a young age by Eldon Pace of Shubenacadie, NS and Frank Weed of Big Cypress Swamp, FL. He was an avid birder, adventurer and a brilliant biologist and naturalist with special interests in reptiles, amphibians and botany with an irrepressible desire to share with others all the wonders he encountered. He was a gifted artist and illustrator.

Michael was a remarkable story teller, mesmerizing countless listeners with his natural ability to entertain and inform in a manner that left everyone wanting to hear more. His enthusiasm for and appreciation of nature were legendary and he easily regaled others with accounts of his many adventures in the wild. Not only could he hold his own on almost any topic but usually educated all who had the pleasure of his conversation and company.

Michael was kind and caring and would do anything to help others. He always took time when he could, to be with his family and friends. He will be sorely missed by all who loved and admired him.

A celebration of Michael's life will be held at JA Snow Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Dr. Halifax, NS at 2 pm on Sunday, January 10, 2016. Guests are encouraged to wear shirts relating to nature; like turtles, birds and lizards and bright colours to pay tribute to Michael.

In lieu of flowers, donations to assist with reptile care can be made in Michael's name to Homeward Bound City Pound Animal Shelter, 201 Brownlow Ave # 9, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, B3B1W2.