William A. "Duffy"
McDonald passed away peacefully May 16, 2016 at St.
Martha’s Hospital in Antigonish, surrounded by family and
friends.
The son of
Ted McDonald and Pauline Rankin, he was born March 5, 1943 in Sydney
NS but spent most of his adult life in Antigonish NS.
Duffy made a
big difference in the lives of a lot of people. He often heard from
former students of his high school math classes at Antigonish Regional
High School that he was the best teacher they ever had. He had a gift
for communicating, especially with those most in need of his help. He
also served on the provincial math curriculum committee for many
years. After his first of a few retirements, he began teaching math at
StFX where again his impact on students was always positive. From
there he moved to working in the StFX Tramble Rooms for Students with
Disabilities where he provided one-to-one help for many students.
Throughout his careers he was also very active in charities that
helped people in the community, notably the Antigonish Food Bank.
Perhaps Duffy’s greatest passion was mental health. He was
instrumental in founding the Depression Support Group through the
Creative Wellness Project that helped countless people to lead happier
and healthier lives. He was a passionate advocate for mental health
and was often invited to speak at public forums about his experiences
helping those with mental illness. In 2005 he received the Community
Health Advocacy Award from GASHA and in 2012 he was inducted into the
Nova Scotia Health and Wellness MICA Hall of Fame, both in recognition
of the huge impact he has made. He also helped to establish the
Friendship Corner, a local safe space that welcomed everyone to come
in for coffee and a chat. Duffy’s most recent role was as
the patient advocate for a provincial committee evaluating assisted
suicide, where he championed the rights of patients and provided
practitioners and policymakers with invaluable insights into the
patient’s perspective. Throughout his life, Duffy was
extremely humble about his work and achievements, always putting
students, patients, friends and colleagues he helped at the forefront
of his tireless efforts to make his community a better place.
He was
predeceased by his brother Joseph (Gerry) from Ottawa and is survived
by his wife Marie, his children Ted (Kathy Chisholm) from Fredericton
and Michelle (Dan Mertens) from Fort Mill SC, his brother Michael
(Jan) from Dundas, his much loved grandchildren Imogen, Tess and
Sophie and many nieces and nephews. He was a wonderful man and will be
missed by all who were fortunate enough to know him.
Visitation
will be held on Thursday from 2-4 and 7-9 in C.L. Curry Funeral Home,
135 College St., Antigonish. Funeral Mass will be held Friday at
11:00am in the St. Francis Xavier University Chapel. Reverend Donald
MacGillivray presiding.
Donations in
lieu of flowers can made to the Dr. John Hugh Gillis High School in
Antigonish for the establishment of a calculus prize in his honour, or
to the Friendship Corner. Online condolences: www.clcurry.com.
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