James "Jim" Mitten MacDonald

It is with great sadness that the family of James MacDonald (Jim) announces his passing in the loving arms of his six children at the F.J. Davey Home on Friday, July 26, 2024 in his 92nd year.

Jim was the cherished husband and deeply loved partner of the late Madeline MacDonald for 70 wonderful years. After Madeline's passing in 2022, Jim was rarely seen without the photograph of her by his side—a symbol of their everlasting love. Jim and Madeline believed family to be a gift that lasts forever, and their legacy will continue on with their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Beloved father of Steve (Lucie Gingras), Cathie (Robin McDonald), Donald (Claudette), Jon, Susan Shaw (Jim), and Christina Mah (Bob). For his children, caring for their dad after the loss of his soulmate and their mother, was a joy and privilege. While the loss of Madeline took a piece of Jim’s heart with her, they will cherish the memories made during that time.

"Pa" is lovingly remembered by his 16 grandchildren: Kelly, Jennifer, Becky, D.J., Luke, Alison, Craig, Elliot, Daniel, Evan, Meghan, Emily, Brian, Erin, Thomas and Jonathon. Proud great grandfather of 22. Son of the late D.J. and Edythe MacDonald. Loving brother of late Jean Kozak (late Steve), late Jack and special sister-in-law Kaye Dool. Brother-in-law of the late Margaret Sommer (late Donald Anderson and late Richard Sommer), late Bud (late June), (Patsy), late Robert, late Mel (late Carol), John (Laura), and Mary-Lou Bergeron (late Glen). Jim will be missed and fondly remembered by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A special thank you to Donna Lockie for her love and care for Jim as well as the palliative care team at the F.J. Davey Home.

Please join friends and family celebrating Jim's life on Thursday, August 8, 2024 at Arthur Funeral Home - Barton & Kiteley Chapel (492 Wellington St E., 705-759-2522). A visitation will take place from 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm with a service to follow in the chapel led by Rev. George Wright. In lieu of flowers memorial donations (made payable by cheque or online) to the Alzheimer's Society of Sault Ste. Marie or A.R.C.H. would be greatly appreciated by the family. Please visit www.arthurfuneralhome.com obituaries section to leave a message of condolence as a keepsake for the family.

It brings immense comfort and joy to know that, after a long separation, Mom and Dad have been reunited. Their glorious reunion must have been a beautiful celebration filled with love, peace and laughter.

Well here we are, here we ALL are. TOGETHER, united as a family in the love, respect and pride in an incomparable man that molded and shaped our lives. To celebrate the life of our father, grandfather and great grandfather Jim MacDonald. We come here to remember an incredible man who holds special memories for each of us. A great husband, devoted father, proud grandfather, and cherished great-grandfather, James was the cornerstone of a family that spans 4 generations and embodies what he valued most; love and the importance of family. A monolithic presence in all of our lives.

When I sat down and thought about what I might say about Pa, I kept coming back to a little thing that both of my grandparents used to say when expressing love to us;’ I love you a bushel and a peck’. Without exception the verbal sentiment was accompanied by the physical expression - the hug around the neck. I am sure as a child I had no clue what a bushel or a peck actually were, but I was pretty sure that whatever they were that they were things to be valued and cherished.

James and his beloved Madeline shared an extraordinary journey together, 7 decades of unwavering love and partnership. Their love story is a testament to the power of commitment and perseverance, and now, that they are reunited in heaven, surely engaged in their iconic brand of banter, no doubt in classic Madeline and Jim fashion both talking at the same time.

It's almost impossible to think of James without also remembering Madeline. They were joined at the hip and heart, the very definition of inseparable. Together, they were the "peck" in the song "I Love You a Bushel and a Peck." They started out as two peas in a small basket, their love growing and blossoming into a large, diverse and wonderful family that could only be contained in a much larger bushel. I would love to believe that they can rest peacefully now together knowing that we are holding each other close in this basket. Let’s each of us do our level best to continue to be a source of immense pride to both of them.

James was a man of incredible selflessness, gentle manner, and a terrific sense of humor. His quiet strength, seemingly endless patience, and quick wit made him a guiding light for his family. As a father to six, Jim lived as an example of what hard work and perseverance can give a family and worked hard to instill these same values in his children. His 16 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren were blessed to learn from his wisdom and experience his love. Every grandchild knew the unspoken rule: do not disturb the pristine vacuum cleaner marks on the carpet! This simple ritual symbolized the respect and pride he had for his home and family.

Telephone calls with Pa were special, if slightly predictable. He regularly opened with the required weather report, a prelude to ‘what’s new?”. And without fail, he ended each call with his signature cautionary phrase: "You be careful." It was his way of reminding us all to stay safe and look out for one another, a reflection of his protective and loving nature.

Family lore includes a charming and humorous anecdote about James's Saturday night routine. His children fondly (or perhaps not so fondly) recall that every Saturday night they got a bath and a "lickin'" whether they deserved it or not. Some insist this was a playful exaggeration, while others defend its truth vehemently. And now, I suppose we'll never really know. But in my heart, I suspect I know the truth—the blend of discipline and love, characteristic of my grandparents.

James's sense of humor was legendary. He had a knack for making people laugh, often with a twinkle in his eye and a mischievous grin. He could turn the simplest moment into a memory filled with laughter. Whether he was sharing a funny story, teasing a grandchild, or playfully bantering with Madeline, his humor was a gift that brightened our lives.

James MacDonald lived a life full of love, laughter, and unity. He leaves behind a legacy that will continue to thrive in the hearts and actions of his family. As we say our farewells today, let us remember what he taught us by how he lived and carry forward his spirit of love. In the words of the song that so perfectly encapsulates his affection for us all: "I love you a bushel and a peck, a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck."

Do we miss you, Pa? "You bet your purdy little neck" we do.

Love you always,

Kelly

Eldest granddaughter of Jim & Madeline

OUR “DAD”

I’d like to tell you about my memories of Dad. Being one of 6 kids, we all have different stories. These are some of mine.

First, a little about Dad: Born in 1932, “James Mitten MacDonald”, the youngest child of my Grandparents, Edith and D.J. MacDonald, and baby brother to Jean and Jack.

Growing up on the top of Bruce Hill, he attended King George Public School and then Collegiate Highschool. He left school early and worked on the boats, and then Algoma Steel when he was 16, where he retired in his early 50’s. He also worked at Daylight Cleaners.

He fell in love with my Mom, Madeline, and married at 18 years of age, and spent 70 years with the “LOVE of his Life”.

Our Dad enjoyed playing hockey as a boy, and we were told he was very good, although he wouldn’t admit it. He always kept in shape, and I remember him skipping in the basement to keep this up…or maybe it was get away from us kids !

He wasn’t mechanically inclined, but enjoyed building a sailboat in our barn. I remember a hot summer day and Dad wanted to go try out his boat at Havilland Bay. With all of us in the car and boat in tow, we set out. Just as we dipped our toes in the water, Dad yelled for us to get back in the car. He had forgotten the sails, and that was the end of that. No swimming that day. He later graduated to a bigger sailboat “CHIMO” him and Mom enjoyed many adventures on the river.

He also had a passion for cars, He spent hours keeping them clean (not always practical with so many kids). He bought a truck and a Mustang. He still laughed about that and would say, “What was I thinking ?”

I have so many memories of Dad and I. While I was in Public School, at lunchtime, I would stay and dry dishes as Dad washed them. The transistor radio would be playing and Dad would whistle while I sang. I wanted to whistle so much like Dad that I would practise every day until I finally got it, and I was so excited !

Years later, in a grocery store, I was whistling to the music when a lady stopped me and said it was so nice to hear someone whistling…I said “I got it from my Dad” !

Dad was a true gentleman. Sometimes we would walk, and he would always put me on the inside, and I asked him why ? He told me if a car lost control, it would hit him not me.

When I was 9 years old, Dad and I headed off on the train to Toronto for my appointment with the Eye Doctor. Mom said we would have to stay up all night as we couldn’t afford a sleeper car, but when we got to Sudbury, Dad went ahead and paid for a sleeper car anyway. He lost his key for the suitcase, so with his pocketknife, he sliced it open. Oh boy was he going to be in trouble with Mom

But some of my best memories were so much later in life. He told me stories about his childhood and teenage years, and how he fell in love with Mom. I asked him one day, “What did you think Mom’s legacy was ?” Right away he said she was a hard worker and a good Mom. I then asked him what his legacy would be. He thought for a bit, then said, “That I was handsome !” I laughed and said, “Yes Dad, that’s it”.

After Mom passed, Dad carried an 8”x10” picture of Mom around everywhere. Then a pillow with a picture of her on it, that Chrissy gave to him. He would talk to her and kiss her. Wherever Dad went, Mom went with him.

One of my favourite things we did in his later years, was to play “Go Fish”. We would play with Canadian Tire money. When I asked Dad for queens, he always looked up from his cards like he didn’t hear me, and I’d say” queens Dad, queens”. So I’m asking you one more time Dad, “do you have any queens ?”, and I knew he would answer me that time. His response ?...”Yes I do, I’ve got your Mom”.

Each time I left the Davey Home, Dad would sit in the window and blow me a kiss: “So Dad, here’s a KISS for you”..(blow a kiss) We LOVE you and MISS you.

Cathie