Joseph Alexander MacKinnon

MacKinnon, Joseph Alexander, 89. It is with broken hearts we announce the passing of our beloved father, Joseph Alexander MacKinnon on February 12, 2021 at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital. Born in Sydney on January 16, 1932, he was the son of the late Margaret Steele and Andrew Clarke and raised by his adoptive parents Mary Jane & Daniel MacKinnon. At the age of 18, he went to work at Maritime Tel & Tel where he was employed for the next 37 years. In 1958, he married his first wife Marina and settled in Westmount where they raised their 3 children. Through the years, our father treasured every moment spent with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. It was an especially proud family moment when, at the age of 51, our father received his Bachelor of Arts degree at the University College of Cape Breton while working and raising a family. After suffering the 2nd of two heart attacks (at ages 52 and 55), he bounced back stronger than ever and began an active, fulfilling retirement that would last 34 years. He started a walking routine that kept him in great shape to his last day, including as a member and Past President of the Cape Breton Hoppers walking club. He was also a long-time member of the Seaview Golf & Country Club, a past member of the Memory Lane Singers and throughout his life was one of the longest-serving volunteer teachers of the Christopher Leadership Course in Canada (37 years). Pa was the unofficial king of crossword puzzles & Scrabble, a voracious reader, loved sports and great music (he was a Big Band man), and had a terrific sense of humour.

He shared the last 18 years of his life side-by-side with Elsie, who added the glow to his golden years. They were always on the go - from weekly dates at Kay’s Kozy Korner, hanging out with the Saturday brunch gang at local eateries, and walking adventures with the CB Hoppers to travelling the four corners of the globe on spectacular trips & cruises.

More than anything, our father was a shining light in the lives of those who knew him. He was everything one would want & hope for in a father, husband, son, brother, colleague and neighbour. The positivity, love and kindness he extended to others came back to him ten-fold. We are truly blessed and grateful to have had him in our lives for so long. May he now rest in peace.

Besides his parents, Joe was predeceased by first wife Marina (nee Kiley). He is survived and will be greatly missed by his wife Elsie, his three children; son Joe (Vineeta), Sydney; daughters Kathy, New Hampshire; Margaret (Colin), Vancouver; brother Cyril (Donna), Petawawa; sister Sheila, Coxheath, as well as six grandchildren (Erin, Brenden, Doug, Anna, Aeshna and Anchit) and three great-grandchildren (Phoebe, Oskar and Louise).

With Covid-19 restrictions in place, there will be no visitation and a Memorial Service to celebrate the life of Joseph MacKinnon will be held at Holy Rosary Parish in Westmount on Fri., Mar. 5, 11am with Father Bedford Doucette officiating.

Internment will take place in Holy Rosary Parish Cemetery, Westmount at a later date. The service will be live streamed for friends wishing to be part of the celebration and may be viewed through TW Curry’s Facebook page starting at 11am on Friday, Mar. 5. The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Joe be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or a charity of your choice. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of T.W. Curry Funeral Home. Memories and condolences can be shared with the family by visiting www.twcurry.com.