Brenton Elmer MacDonald

Brent was born in Harrigan Cove, Nova Scotia on October 27, 1915, the son of Percy and Meta (nee Worrell) MacDonald. He and his family then moved to Halifax, where all survived the great Halifax Explosion. On his mother's passing in 1920 Brent lived in an orphanage with his brother Reg until the age of ten when he was adopted by his aunt and uncle Velena and Burton (B.O.) MacDonald.

From the age of eighteen he managed his uncle’s grocery store in Sheet Harbour, where he met and fell in love with his wife of sixty years, Martena (nee Malay). At the outbreak of World War II he joined the RCAF and obtained the rank of Flying Officer, operating out of Bermuda on North Atlantic Patrol. After release from the service, he bought a small grocery store in Rockingham and with tireless effort was able to expand his business to Save-Easy stores in Rockingham and Lower Sackville, and also acquire other commercial real estate in both locations.

During his busy work life and in retirement Brent served as an active member of St. Johns Masonic Lodge No. 2 , the Ad Astra Masonic Lodge No. 130, and the Halifax Kiwanis Club. He was also a volunteer at the IWK Hospital For Children for over thirty years, for which he received multiple awards of recognition. For his achievements in the Halifax Boy Scouts and Rovers he was presented a commmerative silver cup, now on display in the Scout Museum in Dartmouth. Brent, with his wife Tena, travelled extensively over North America and Europe.

He is survived by his sons, Arthur (Glenda), Dale, and Brian (Judy) all of the Halifax area, and Paul (Linda) of Bridgewater, as well as 10 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren; sister Beryl Brown (Ottawa); niece Ada Martell (Halifax); sister-in-law, Lena Malay (Sheet Harbour); and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife Tena; sister Doris Hughes (Florida); brother Reginald (Ottawa) and daughters-in-law Jeanne (Sackville), and Judy (Rockingham).

The entire family expresses their sincere gratitude to the nurses and other caregivers at Unit V6E of the NS Veterans Hospital.

Visitation Friday February 7 from 2 - 6 and 7 - 9 at JA Snow Funeral Home, Lacewood Drive. Memorial service at St. Peters Anglican Church (3 Dakin Dr., Rockingham) Saturday February 8 at 2:00pm, reception to follow. Memorial donations may be made to the IWK Foundation, Halifax or charity of choice.