Alexander McDonald

1914 – 2013

Glace Bay, NS

Died peacefully on May 25 in his 98th year. Alex was the beloved husband of Elsie (Green) and the son of Alexander and May (Pittman) McDonald. His great grandparents came from Scotland and settled in the Whycogomagh area of Cape Breton sometime in the mid-1800s. His grandfather, also named Alex, moved to Cow Bay (now Morien) in the early 1870s and from there his sons went to Glace Bay where Alex was born. Except for his military career (Royal Canadian Signal Corp 1941-46), Alex lived his entire life in Caledonia, Glace Bay. As a young boy growing up during World War I, he mispronounced the name of the German“Kaiser” (Wilhelm), resulting in his nickname “Cuzzer” by which he was known the remainder of his life. Alex played forward with the Caledonia Rugby Football Team during the 1930s and is believed to have been the last surviving member of the historic Caledonia teams that dominated Eastern Canadian rugby during those years (Maritime Champions 1932-1940; Eastern Canadian Champions (McTier Cup) 1929-1940). Alex worked over 40 years as a coal miner, beginning at 18 years old when he joined his father underground at Dominion # 4 (Caledonia) mine. Alex learned how to lay rail tracks underground in Caledonia #4 and because of this skill he became known as “Alex the Road Maker”. After Caledonia mine closed in 1961, he moved to #26 Colliery, Glace Bay, from which he retired in 1977. He had strong union roots and had memberships in both the United Mineworkers of America (Local #26) and the New Democratic Party. Alex was kind, thoughtful, and respectful of others, no matter their race or nationality. Alex met his beautiful wife Elsie Green, a Donkin girl in front of Viho Sweets on Commercial Street, Glace Bay. They were married in 1948 and later settled into family life on School St. Caledonia, where they lived for over 50 years. Together they raised two sons, who are forever grateful for the example they set and their guidance over the years. Alex was predeceased by his parents; younger brother Murdock (Kay), Glace Bay; younger sisters, Hazel (Murray Hartling) Burlington, ON, and Rachel and Catherine (Howard Stevens), Glace Bay. He is survived and will be greatly missed by his beloved wife Elsie, with whom he shared his life for almost 65 years; sons Bruce (Lotta Harasym), Ottawa and Eric, Glace Bay; sisters-in-law Ann Mackenzie, Glace Bay; Doris Peach, Sydney; Kay McDonald, Baddeck; and many nieces and nephews throughout Canada. Cremation has taken place. A private service and interment will be held at a later date. Those wishing to pay respects can visit the Patten Funeral Home, 71 Union St., Glace Bay on Thursday, May 30 from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Cape Breton Miners Museum, PO Box 310 Glace Bay, B1A 5T8 or to the Glace Bay Heritage Museum Society, PO Box 580, Glace Bay, B1A 6G4 would be welcomed. Words of condolences may be left at www.pattenfuneral.com.