Derek Brian MacDonald

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Derek Brian MacDonald; a loving husband, proud father, and kind friend. With his passing he has left his loving wife, Sandra Pasqualina MacDonald, his two well-raised sons, Brian Lloyd MacDonald and Samual Derek MacDonald, and more friends than we can count. It is the memories and good times with family and friends that make his farewell from us hard, but we hold dear these memories and continue to live on with his presence in our hearts.

Derek lived with a selfless heart, always willing to be there for friend or family at the drop of a hat, and with it always came his witty humor and kind heart. The laughs he shared and values he imparted are irreplaceable - and with them - will bring us joy when our hearts long for his presence and his love.

And though we find ourselves wrought with grief with his passing, there has been comfort in knowing that he is finally reunited with his parents and his oldest son, Alexander Robert MacDonald. May they watch over him, and may they all keep their place in or hearts.

The service for Derek will be held at Assman’s Funeral Chapel Thursday, Feb. 8th at 11 a.m., with the reception to follow at the Italian Club; where Derek and Sandra also celebrated their wedding.

The Dash Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak at a funeral of a friend. He referred to the dates on the tombstone from the beginning…to the end.

He noted that first came the date of birth and spoke of the following date with tears but said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time they spent alive on earth and now only those who loved them know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own, the cars…the house…the cash. What matters is how we lived and loved and how we spend our dash.

So, think about this long and hard; are there things you’d like to change? For you never know how much time is left that still can be rearranged.

To be less quick to anger and show appreciation more and love the people in our lives like we’ve never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile…remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy is being read, with your life’s actions to rehash, would you be proud of the things they say about how you lived your dash?