William A. "Duffy" McDonald
1943 - 2016
William A. "Duffy"  McDonald
Visitation Information
Visitation
May 19, 2016
Visitation Time
2-4pm and 7-9pm
Visitation Location
C.L. Curry Funeral Home, 135 College Street, Antigonish, NS
Service Information
Service Date
Friday May 20, 2016
Service Time
11:00am
Service Location
St. Francis Xavier University Chapel ** Parking Available at St. Ninian Place**
Requested Charity
Dr. John Hugh Gillis High School - Calculus Prize or The Friendship Corner
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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.

 

**  PARKING FOR ST. FX CHAPEL AVAILABE AT ST. NINIAN PLACE **

 

William A. "Duffy"  McDonald