Dr. Alvin E.C. MacRae

MacRae, Dr. Alvin Edward Clark passed away peacefully on June 15, 2015 in Dartmouth General Hospital. Born in Greenvale, PEI, he was the son of the late Earle and Mary (Clark) MacRae. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Jean Margaret (Nicholson) and children Dr. Judith MacRae, Ottawa, and twin Patricia Crowell (Dr. Richard), Halifax, Jeffrey (Celina), Calgary, Holly MacRae (Stephen Dodge), Dartmouth, James (Phyllis), Edmonton; grandchildren, Martin MacRae, Jennifer and Kristen Dunbar, Christopher Ritcey and Jeffrey Crowell, Andrea and Leah MacRae, Jaclyn and Julia Dodge, Robbie MacRae; great grandchildren Haydn and Evan Ritcey, and Harmony MacRae. He is also survived by his brothers Reginald (Gladys), Summerside PEI and Sterling (Jean) Greenvale, PEI. He was predeceased by his eldest son, John, and sister Dorothy (Moase). Dr. MacRae grew up on a dairy farm in rural PEI and graduated from Prince of Wales College in Charlottetown. After graduating from Dalhousie University Medical School in 1951, Alvin set up his solo practice in Dartmouth. For 60 years, Dr. MacRae was a beloved family physician who was dedicated to the care of his many patients. He routinely made house calls up to his retirement in 2011. He was one of the first doctors to administer the polio vaccine. He was appointed in 1976 as one of the original staff doctors at the Dartmouth General. He worked in the emergency department there as well as practicing obstetrics for many years. He was courtesy staff at the IWK Hospital, V.G., and Halifax Infirmary and a lifetime member of the Canadian Medical Society. Dr. MacRae assisted in many surgeries over his long career.

In 2010, he was given an award from the Dartmouth General Medical Staff Association as an Honorary Member for his long dedicated service within the hospital, and community at large. Dr. MacRae was a busy father of six children, and enjoyed taking his family on vacations to Bermuda and their cottage in Cavendish, PEI. Family outings there included fishing, golfing, swimming, and berry picking. His favourite hobbies were woodworking and tending his vegetable garden. He also loved watching Blue Jays Baseball and listening to classical music. All his children graduated from University, including Judy who followed in his footsteps and pursued medicine. His youngest daughter Holly worked with him in his office as an LPN/Office Admin for many years. Alvin and Jean spent many pleasant vacations together in Barbados, England, and Scotland, and they enjoyed spending his retirement years together.

He will be missed dearly. Visitation will be held at A.L. Mattatall Funeral Home, 217 Portland Street, Dartmouth, from 5 to 8 pm, Wednesday, June 17th. Funeral will be held at St. James United Church, 181 Portland Street, Dartmouth on Thursday, June 18th at 1 pm with reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation.