Donald MacDonald

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our brother, uncle, and friend, Donald G. MacDonald of Westmount, Montreal. Donald was born on December 6th, 1926, the second of Beatrice and John Alex’s eight children (predeceased by Wency, Cecilia, Kenny, and Reynelda; survived by Joseph (Rita d.) Bramalea, On., Bobbie (Jim) Port Hood, N.S., and Joanie, Barrie, On.). He grew up in Port Hood, Cape Breton and forever cherished memories of his childhood home, family, and friends. He was a member of Saint Peter’s Parish, where he often sang the Latin mass with his siblings. Donald had a deep bond with his mother, Bea, and his maternal grandmother, ‘Ma Chaisemaker’, and together with brother Joe, spent some of his formative years living with and providing support and companionship to Ma, from whom he gathered many valuable life lessons. One of his duties included that of scribe, writing dictated letters for Ma and her neighbours, most of whom were Gaelic speakers and anxious to maintain connections with family and friends ‘living away’. It was likely this task that ignited Donald’s love of the written word, something he carried through every stage of his life. In the early 1950’s Donald left home for Boston, joining brother Wency and other relatives and neighbours who had put down roots there, particularly in the Woburn area. Donald later moved to Montreal with sister Bobbie, and in 1956 began working for the Bell Telephone Company of Canada. Donald thoroughly enjoyed his 32-year-career at ‘The Bell’ and built a good life in Montreal, a place where he established friendships that endured to the very end. Throughout his 63 years in Montreal, Donald regularly travelled home to Port Hood to enjoy visits with family and friends, time at the beach, and playing piano in Bea’s sunporch. His last visit was in 2013, to attend the funeral of his sister, Nelda.

Donald was fond of music, the arts, and clothing, but his chief commitment was to writing poetry, composing and occasionally publishing many touching and powerful works. A month before his passing Donald could still recite lengthy and heartfelt passages of his poems, a favourite being one of a young soldier in the Iraq War. The words wrought from this solitary pursuit symbolized a man who was strong-willed, sensitive, fiercely independent, and passionately committed to those who were close to him. In Donald’s later years, he often remarked that with the comfort and enjoyment his memories provided, he never felt lonely.

Special thanks to Susan Hutchison and the late Ian MacDougall for all their support, to the staff of Centre d’hébergement St. Margaret, Westmount, Dr. Norman Dawang, and Father Gregory Nunez.

Visitation will take place on Friday, Dec. 13th in St. Peter’s Church, Port Hood, Nova Scotia at 10:00 a.m. with funeral mass to follow at 11:00. Condolences may be sent to 1052 Robie St., Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 3C5. Interment at a later date.

Bon Voyage, Donald!