East Bay
It is with heavy hearts that the family of Roderick Joseph (Roddie) MacDonald regrets to announce his passing on August 26, 2019, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital.
Roddie was born in East Bay on August 30, 1946 to Catherine (Gillis) and the late John J. MacDonald. He will be greatly missed by his mother (Catherine/Kay); his siblings – Vern (Patricia), Sydney; Marlene (Sheldon) MacInnes, East Bay; Joan, East Bay; George, East Bay; and Evelyn (John) MacGillivray, Calgary; together with nieces and nephews – Elizabeth Ann, Halifax; Shaun, Sydney; Catherine (Conor Milne), New Zealand; Julia, British Columbia; Johnny, Calgary; Meagan, Calgary; and Evan, Calgary. Roddie was also blessed to have many aunts and uncles, including surviving aunts, Catherine MacLellan ,MacGillivray Guest Home, Sydney; Irene Lefort , Antigonish; Gloria (Brud) Youden, Sydney; Mary MacDonald, Oshawa; and uncle, Jimmy Gillis, Gillis Lake.
As well, he is survived by numerous cousins in Canada, United States, and New Zealand; they were very dear to him and provided support to him over the years.
He was predeceased by his father and his brother Ronald James ‘Ronnie’.
After completing school in East Bay, Roddie attended Xavier Junior College, Sydney and St. F. X. University, Antigonish, earning his Bachelor Degrees in Arts and then Education. He taught school with the Cape Breton County School Board and served as Vice-Principal of Mira Road Elementary School.
At university, he was well known as an avid student debater and an active participant in the students’ model parliament. At this time, he secured summer employment with the Nova Scotia Department of Highways, where he had been appointed to a supervisory role. He would often point out areas of the highways throughout Cape Breton County where he had worked with pride. Roddie’s stories about this era were shared enthusiastically – always entertaining and informative. He had a wonderful grasp of Canadian history and family genealogy.
Roddie was a lifelong supporter of the Toronto Maple Leafs and everything “blue” from politics to religion. While he endured many years laboring under many stresses of life, he always enjoyed spending time in conversation with friends, family members, and anyone else who spared him a friendly ear and some precious moments of time.
We acknowledge with thanks the support received from many colleagues, classmates, friends, and family members over the years, especially Aunt Gloria Youden, always a tower of strength and loyal support. As well, we express our thanks for the care Roddie received from many and varied caregivers, especially Kim Brown and Doctor Amanda Woodhouse; Doctor Pahill and the staff at the Cancer Center; the nurses and doctors in ICU at the Regional; the staff of the Palliative Care Unit at the Regional; and the complement of staff in the Spanish Bay unit of Harbourstone Enhanced Care, Sydney.
We know Roddie is gone. He will, however, never be forgotten!
You are invited to join our family at T.W. Parkview Chapel, George St., Sydney, on Sunday, September 1, 2019, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, September 2, 2019, at 11:00 a.m., at St. Mary’s Church, East Bay, with Father Anthony O’Connor officiating. Reception to follow at the East Bay Firehall. Interment to follow at a later date.
Online condolences may be left by visiting www.twcurry.com
