It is with heavy hearts that we
announce the death of Grant MacDonnell, age 75, who passed away
peacefully on May 10th, 2019, after a brief
illness.
Born on April 17th, 1944 to the late
Ella Mae (Grant) and Colin Francis MacDonell, Grant went on to become
a proud graduate of St. Mary’s University with both a
Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education degree. He
enjoyed a long career in education at the Nova Scotia Community
College and made a lasting impact on his students and
colleagues. Upon retirement, Grant threw himself into his
small business, MacDonnell Wood Fuels, and took great pleasure in
working outdoors and visiting with his customers. Grant was
the past President of the Antigonish Liberal Association and reveled
in talking politics and reading history. Always curious and
outgoing, Grant took up Gaelic classes, enjoyed playing the guitar,
loved fiddle music, card games, and dances. With a sharp wit
and a dry humour, Grant could turn any gathering into an entertaining
one. Grant was a proud father and devoted
grandfather. He instilled a love of music, sports,
conversation, education, and a reverence for nature into his children.
He found total joy in his grandchildren and spent endless hours at the
rink, showering them with treats, playing games, and reading
stories.
He is survived by his loving wife,
Veronica MacGillivary; his children, Claire, Joseph, Maggie (Dullah),
and John (Jacqueline); the mother of his children Aurelia (Chiasson)
MacDonnell; his step-children Vernon (Rose) MacGillivary; Michelle
(Blaise) Dobbin; Tara (Duane) Arsenault; Ryan (Jaymie) MacGillivary;
his grandchildren, Lucassie, Maggie Mae, Zelabella, and one more
expected grandchild; his 11 step grandchildren; sisters, Anna Hyde and
Sr. Margie MacDonell; sister-in-law, Catherine (Kevin) Bonvie; niece
and nephew, Alanna Russell and Michael Hyde and their
families.
Grant was pre-deceased by his
brother, Danny, and brother-in-law, Max Hyde.
At Grant’s request, there
will be no visitation, but a Memorial Mass will be held at St.
Ninian’s Cathedral on Saturday, May
18th, 2019 at 11 AM with Rev. Donald
MacGillivray presiding. Burial to follow at St.
Ninian’s Cemetery.
The family extends sincere gratitude
to Dr. Sarah Fraser, Dr. Jane Anne Howard, and the nursing staff of
the Palliative Care Unit at St. Martha’s Regional
Hospital.
Memorial donations may be made to the
St. Martha's Regional Hospital Foundation or the Cape Breton Cancer
Centre.
Funeral arrangements are under the
direction of C.L. Curry Funeral Home, 135 College Street,
Antigonish. Online condolences:
www.clcurry.com