Roderick E. MacDonald

1917-2013

The ashes of Roddie MacDonald will be interred in the Hardwood Hill Cemetery in Sydney on Saturday, 17 May, 2014. A proud Cape Bretoner, Roddie was born in Florence on 17 May 1917 and raised in Sydney Mines.

He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth (Betty-Anne) MacDonald, his son LCdr Burns MacDonald RCN Ret’d (and wife Shauna), his daughter Sandy MacDonald, step-children Dr. Mark McGowan (and wife Eileen) and Mary-Beth McGowan (and husband, Bob Starkey), plus loving grand-children Heather MacDonald; Matthew, Caitlin, Joshua and Adam Starkey; Erin, Patrick, Brendan, Kathleen, and John-Francis McGowan.

He is predeceased by his first wife Linda MacDonald (nee Cluett) of Sydney, his father, Roderick Edward MacDonald, a Vimy Veteran of the 85th Battalion Cape Breton Highlanders, his mother Mary Alice (nee Taylor) MacDonald, his brother Harry Burns MacDonald who was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with the RCAF in World War II, and his brother Earl MacDonald, CBNRC.

Roddie graduated from Acadia University in 1939, and worked briefly in the Sydney Steel Plant, before enlisting as an officer in the Royal Canadian Engineers and serving overseas in Sicily, Italy, and the liberation of Holland. After the war he served in a number of roles, including as Commanding Officer of a small unit of specialists that participated in the Allied nuclear tests in Nevada and Australia in the mid-1950’s, and Deputy Canadian Army Fire Marshal in the 1960’s.

All are welcome to a small visitation and remembrance ceremony at 10:00am on Saturday 17 May, 2014 at theT.W. Curry Parkview Chapel on George Street, after which Roddie’s ashes will be laid to rest at the Hardwood Hill Cemetery. On completion, hospitality will be offered at T.W. Curry Parkview Chapel.

Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.twcurry.com

God’s piper has called Roddie, and he goes well-loved by all.