It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of our father Howard Jerome MacDonald, age 92, of Westmount on December 28, 2019 at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital. He had a peaceful passing listening to his son Howie play The Farewell March. He was the son of the late Duncan Francis MacDonald and Mary (Mamie) MacDougall, both of Troy. He was born in Troy and upon marrying his wife Ann (Queensville) they moved to Westmount where they raised their family. He worked for the Canadian National Railway for 43 years and recently expressed, “I loved going to work everyday and I loved going home everyday.” He was a very hard worker and spent his summer vacations in Troy where he ran the Troy Canteen at the end of his mother’s lane. Upon retiring he enjoyed working in his garage, especially building dog houses with his grandchildren and having them marketed and sold by “top management”, Ann. He loved, music, dancing, horse racing, reading, the Toronto Maple Leafs and spending quality time with his family and friends. He was always the first to lend a helping hand for those in need and had a strong faith and belief in God. He had an exceptional memory and gift for storytelling as well as an incredible sense of humour that will be greatly missed. He loved to keep busy and often volunteered for community events such as meals on wheels and serving dinners for the KOC. He never missed the opportunity to attend the horse races or watch his children or grandchildren entertain. He was a wonderful father to his children Michael (late Debbie), Ontario; Howie, Westmount; Judy, China; Evelyn (Eugene) Cameron, Mabou; Marilyn (Peter) MacKinnon, Westmount and Cheryl (Kyle) MacQuarrie, Mabou. He was a loving supportive grandfather to his thirteen grandchildren, Brennan, Lee, Kristen, Jillian, Jordan, Terrilyn, Warren, Vincent, Daniel, Neil, Colin, Iain, Ann, and his great granddaughter Bliss. He is survived by his sister Evelyn, California; his brother Wilfred, Troy as well as Bernie (Kathryn), Dartmouth, and Bernie’s children Kara and Curtis. He was predeceased by his wife, Ann (MacDonald) sister Marie Beaton and brothers Lawrence and Harold.Visitation will be held at TW Curry Parkview Chapel, Sydney on Wednesday from 2-4 and 7-9pm. Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday morning at 11am in Holy Rosary Church Westmount, with Fr. Douglas Murphy officiating. Memories and condolences may be forwarded to the family by visiting www.twcurry.com.We would like to thank all of the Doctors and nurses on 4C who cared for our father over the past six weeks.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Operation Smile, The Red Cross and the War Amps Association of Canada.
