Maxwell Douglas Macdonald

Loving husband, father, grandfather, and supporter of community life, Maxwell Douglas Macdonald, died July 23, 2013 at age 92. Max’s gentle, caring ways and playful sense of humour touched the lives of more people than he ever realized. After serving five years in the Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve (RCNVR) during World War 2, he graduated in Journalism from the University of Western Ontario. Max began his career in the newsroom at the London Free Press in southern Ontario then helped manage construction of the newspaper`s new building. In 1967, Max became Editor of the Saskatoon StarPhoenix before advancing to other management roles there, at the Regina Leader-Post, and their parent company, the Armadale Corporation. While retired, he wrote for such magazines as Canadian Geographic and authored a book The Dam the Drought Built: A history of the Saskatchewan River Project. His rich, full life encompassed family and a broad range of community connections. Max, who was born at 25-25-1-2 Saskatchewan (near Saltcoats) on August 9, 1920, was predeceased by his wife of 57 years Kay (Townend); his parents Bannatyne and Margaret (Love) Macdonald; and his siblings Glenn Macdonald, Doreen Morison and Robert Macdonald. Max will be deeply missed by: his children Heather Macdonald (late John Partington and family, Ken Sachs), Ellen Macdonald (Brett Purdy), and Doug Macdonald (Tracy Hetman); grandchildren Logan and Graeme Purdy, Caileh Watt (Paige), and Chayton Hetman; sister-in-law Helen Macdonald; many nieces and nephews, and others within his community support circle. Since 1976, Max travelled in the company of Bill W. The last few years of Max’s life were enriched by Kay Cavanaugh, Joyce Tulk and other friends at Lifestyle Options. His family thanks staff at Riverbend Lifestyle Options, University of Alberta Hospital, Kipnes Center for Veterans, and the Royal Alexandra Hospital for their committed care. A service to celebrate Max’s life will take place at 3 p.m. Monday August 19 in the Jasper Room, Derrick Golf and Winter Club, 3500-119 Street NW, Edmonton. Those wishing to remember Max may donate to the Heartview Foundation, 101 East Broadway Avenue, Bismarck, North Dakota, USA 58501 or a charity of their choice.