John was born in Inverness to the late Donald & Anne (Gillis) MacDonald, the sixth of eight children, on March 14, 1951. On December 28, 1973, John married Lorraine in East Margaree; shortly thereafter, they started their family and raised three daughters together in Broad Cove, where he lived his entire life.
John attended the Nova Scotia Institute of Technology in Halifax to become a plumber and pipefitter. He was a member of the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters, Local 682 for over 50 years and worked across Canada and within Cape Breton on many major construction projects that were central to the communities they operated in such as hospitals, schools, universities, oil and gas and more. In addition to his career, his real love was hobby farming which involved many animals, making hay and selling sods.
John loved his community of Broad Cove and the parish of Saint Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church. He was a fixture in the planning of the annual Broad Cove Scottish Concert and always looked forward to this main event of the year, and the preparations with good friends, family and neighbours that led up to it.
John’s family was most important to him, and with Lorraine always by his side, they welcomed everyone to the family home in Broad Cove. Full of hospitality, it was a place where people connected over conversation, tea and good food, always. He loved it most when the house was full of his family and grandchildren and loved hearing about everyone’s accomplishments and adventures. His keen interest in people saw him with friends from across generations; everyone was a “good buddy” and he loved sharing a good story and joke. He had a quest for information; there wasn’t a newscast missed, by radio, print, television or the internet. Harness racing was a love of his, he regularly attended the races in Inverness and watched the ones from far and wide online. John had many other interests including politics, sports, sawmills, and loved being educated by his grandchildren who shared with their Grandpa about the world they are growing up in.
John is survived by his wife of 50 years, Lorraine (nee LeBlanc); his three daughters, Jennifer (Steve Ashton) of Halifax, Jocelyn (Dan Jackson) of Halifax and Joanne (Matt MacIsaac) of Yarmouth; as well as his grandchildren, Maya Ashton, Charlotte and Flora Jackson, Luke and Sarah Burns. He is also survived by his siblings, Effie Rankin (late Joe), Rona MacLean (late Neil C), Mary Peddle (late Albert), Randy MacDonald (Eleanor), Jake MacDonald (Laura), Dolores Chapin (Paul), Michael MacDonald; cousin, Anne MacLeod as well as his LeBlanc in-laws and many nieces, nephews and cousins. John was predeceased by his infant daughter, his parents and his in-laws, John Joseph and Annie Rose LeBlanc.
As we move forward without him, we are left with many cherished memories of his kindness, generosity, faith, humor and devotion to his people and community. There will be many reminders of him, ensuring that his presence is always felt in our lives.
Visitation will take place on Tuesday, June 25th, 2024 in Inverness Funeral Home, 45 MacIsaac Street from 4 pm to 8 pm. Funeral Mass will take place on Wednesday, June 26th in St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church in Broad Cove at 11am, followed by burial in the parish cemetery.
Memorial donations in Dad’s memory can be made to the St. Margaret of Scotland Cemetery Fund, Broad Cove.
Online condolences may be made to: www.invernessfuneralhome.com
