Peter Burton MacDougall

Peter passed away on the morning of May 2, 2019 after suffering for years from Parkinson’s Disease. He was the son of Austin and May (Sangster) MacDougall of Bedford, NS. Peter was a member of the first graduating class in architecture from the Nova Scotia Technical College, now Dalhousie University, in 1965.

After graduation, he worked in architectural consulting offices in Toronto, Vancouver and Halifax, later joining Public Works and Government Services Canada where he had a 30-year career. Prior to his retirement he was the manager of Architectural and Engineering Resources for the Atlantic Region. He was a life-long member of the Nova Scotia Association of Architects and a lifetime member of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada.

Peter had varied interests. He enjoyed small sailboat racing and later family cruising, and was the skipper of the family C & C 33 “Calburga.” As an amateur musician he played cello for many years with the Chebucto Orchestra and the Caledonia Orchestra of Nova Scotia. He enjoyed hiking and together with Gail and friends went on hiking vacations in British Columbia, U.S.A, England, New Zealand and Australia. His last venture was a solo hike across England along a section of Hadrian’s Wall. Above all, he enjoyed many happy summers with family at their cottage and boathouse in Musquodoboit Harbour and was never happier than when he was working on one of his “projects” with the family.

He is survived by his life partner, Gail (Risdill) MacDougall with whom he shared a loving marriage for 50 years, brothers William Halifax, James (Margaret) Newcastle, Australia, sister in law Mary, Kitchener, his two children Maeve (Mark), Halifax, Graham (Lauren), Halifax, five grandchildren Alexandre, Dominic, Elizabeth (Ella), Olivia, Vivienne, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A private burial was held on Wednesday, May 8 and a celebration of life will occur on Saturday, May 18 at 1 pm at the Saint Mary’s Boat Club in Halifax. Families and children are welcome. Those wishing to send condolences can do so online through Cruikshank’s Funeral Home in Halifax and donations, in lieu of flowers, can be made in Peter’s name to the Halifax Region Children’s Aid Foundation.

The family would like to give special thanks to the staff of 4 C at Northwood for the compassionate and respectful care they gave to Peter over the past two and a half years.