Roderick Ronald John MCDONALD

It is with great sadness that the family of Roderick (Rod) Ronald John McDonald announce his passing on May 3, 2020 at the age of 72 in Parksville, BC.  Rod will be forever remembered by the love of his life and best friend Marleen, his loving children: Rhonda (Trent) Dickin, Rod McDonald Jr., Shaulyn (Andre) van Baaren and Christin King.  Rod will also be deeply missed by his wonderful  granddaughters: Riley (Richie) Wade-Cummings, Shelby Engele, Ashlyn King, Maeve and Ella van Baaren; and precious great grandson Kish Wade-Cummings; sisters: Lorna Bennett and Lori (Ron) Volk, brother in law: Brian (Aldryth) O’Hara, Rhonda and Rod’s mother Nelda and numerous nieces and nephews. Rod will also be fondly remembered and missed by many dear lifelong friends. Rod was predeceased by his parents Allan and Phyllis Campbell, brother in law Ken Bennett and Marleen’s parents John and Catherine O’Hara.

Rod’s early years were spent in Collingwood, Ontario before he came out west in April, 1957.  He was raised on the family farm in Lajord, SK and in his adult years made Regina and surrounding areas his home. Over the years Rod worked for McDonalds’ Consolidated, Intercontinental Packers and Butcher Boy Meats, but his always “happy to go to work” job was with maintenance at Ruth M. Buck School in Regina where he retired after 25 years.

Rod had an uncanny ability to find connections with all he met. He had a kind heart and was always willing to lend a helping hand to a friend or a stranger. From his prairie roots, a stranger was just a friend that he hadn’t met yet!  Rod had a generous spirit that he shared freely with family and friends. In his younger years, Rod enjoyed playing many sports like hockey and fastball but his greatest love was walking “God’s Cathedral” - the great outdoors; hunting and fishing on the Saskatchewan prairies and in his retirement, walking along the ocean and in the forest near their home on the west coast. Rod also enjoyed watching football games, especially his beloved green and white – The Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Marleen and the family would like to thank Dr. Herman Visser; Dr. Susan Hunter and staff at Trillium Hospice Lodge in Parksville for their wonderful care during Rod’s stay.  Details of Rod’s Celebration of Life will be published at a later date once social gathering and travel restrictions have been lifted.