Joseph Paul MacDonald

Joseph Paul MacDonald lived for 58 days in the NICU (Newborn Intensive Care Unit) at the IWK Health Centre, Halifax. His death was peaceful. Joseph died in the loving arms of his parents, Carissa and David, on May 1, 2019, surrounded by loved ones. He woke that day to his parents and his big brother, Jonathan, asleep at his bedside; his maternal grandparents, Jimmy and Kay, were across the hall in the Ronald McDonald Family Room. They comforted everyone. His brother played games. His father read him stories. His mother changed his diapers and rubbed his head. He was held. He was hugged. He was embraced. Joseph was born on March 4, 2019. He first opened his dark and inquisitive eyes to a world that loved him - and that’s all he knew. His dark and handsome gaze quickly attracted visitors from far and wide. His paternal grandmother, Joanne, along with his paternal uncle, Paul, spent a week with Joseph that brought him and his family happiness and eternal hope. His mother was his rock and his joy. His father, brother, and uncles were his comic relief. His aunts brought him cheer. From his grandparents he knew generosity and spirit. And his doctors and nurses cared for him like he was their own. May we all be so blessed. Joseph is survived by his parents, Carissa (Pelrine) and David MacDonald; his big brother, Jonathan; grandparents, Jimmy and Kay (Cunningham) Pelrine; Joanne (Bray) Crosby, and Barry (Anne) MacDonald; great-grandmother, Audrey Williamson; uncles, Courtney, Maurice, Paul, Stephen, Brent, and Jeff; aunts, Chelsa, Heather, Jennifer, and Susan. Joseph will be lovingly remembered by cousins, great-aunts and uncles, and many other friends and family members. He was predeceased by great-grandparents Louis and Helen Cunningham, Mary and Clarence Pelrine, Mary and Jim MacDonald, and Thomas Bray; great-uncles David Bray and Paul Cunningham. A private funeral service was held on Friday, May 10, 2019 at J.A. Snow Funeral Home in Halifax. Burial to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Lower Sackville. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the I.W.K. Ronald MacDonald House Charities.