You can view Colin's funeral live by following
this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXMdXfD4Lvo&feature=youtu.be
MacDonald, Colin Joseph, 88, died suddenly on February 11, 2021 at the QEII Heath Sciences Centre in Halifax, five days after a serious fall at home.
The firstborn son of Billy Colin MacDonald and Kitty MacFarlane, Colin was born and lived his whole life in beautiful James River, Antigonish County with his beloved wife of 52 years, Ann (Duff). He was the proud father of five and devoted grandfather of six, who stretch across the country: Bill, his wife Shannon (Muir) and their children Flora and Marie, Edmonton, AB; Karen "the Doc" Antigonish; Kelly, her husband Joe Muise, and their children Patrick and Heather, New Westminster, BC; and Cameron, his wife Tanya (McNeil), and their children Amy and Ryan, Ottawa, ON.
Colin was predeceased by his parents, his in laws John and Ethel Duff, his sister Ann (wife of Donnie Steele), and Ann, his infant daughter. He will be sorely missed by his sister Mary Lillian (Antigonish), his brother Ronald (wife Ann Marie), his sisters Tena, Catherine, CND (Sydney), Eunice (husband Tony McKinley, London, Ontario), Willena (husband John Budris, New York), brother Roddie (wife Brenda) and sister Maggie, most of whom were blessed to live just down the road in James River. He was the beloved uncle to many nieces and nephews and was a faithful friend to so many.
Colin worked as a CN operator for 38 years, delivering important messages by Morse Code in his early career and helping many a weary, laden traveler. He was a lifelong member of St. Joseph’s Church, serving in the choir and parish council, organizing dances, and, in his later years, faithfully counting the collection money each week with Jerome Grant. Colin loved playing cards and attended numerous card plays around the county, often being driven by his generous neighbor Myrtle MacDonald. He had lots of fun with his card playing buddies and loved getting the news. A master jam maker, Colin delighted in making and giving away countless bottles of jam. Baseball was Colin’s favourite sport, he played in his youth, coached the Nova Scotia Provincial Champions in 1958, served as an umpire, and spent many late nights cheering on his wonderful St. Louis Cardinals. He was also a long suffering Toronto Maple Leafs fan. He enjoyed listening to the fiddle, especially the music of Buddy and Natalie MacMaster, and, with his excellent memory, was a wonderful storyteller. He was also an avid traveler, enjoying many trips to New York to visit his sister and aunts, to Ontario to visit his sister and the Duff family, and to Australia, Alaska, and the Bahamas with their great friends Elmer and Peggy Williams. He and Ann crisscrossed the country in his later years visiting their beloved children and grandchildren, never missing an important event.
Colin had a huge heart and touched so many lives with his kindness, his frequent teasing, his laughter and sense of fun. He loved following the rhythms of the farm, planting his garden, feeding the birds and squirrels, and for a few years, a flock of wild turkeys. A true Scotsman, he was stubborn, set in his ways, and was so careful not to waste anything, but incredibly generous with what he had. He served God and his family, friends and neighbours every day of his blessed and long life. He gave thanks to God through daily prayer with grace at meals, rosary with Ann and faithful participation in the Holy Mass. We will miss him terribly but are so grateful for his life and witness as a good Catholic man. We entrust him to the infinite mercy of God. May we all meet again one day in our Eternal Home.
Visitation in C.L. Curry Funeral Home, 135 College Street, Antigonish on Wednesday, February 17th, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm following Covid 19 guidelines. A funeral Mass by invitation only will be held in St. Joseph's Church, St. Joseph's on Thursday, February 18, 2021 at 11 am. You can view the funeral live by following this link. Burial in St. Joseph's Cemetery at a later date. We deeply regret that all who desire to attend his funeral cannot be physically present, but we know that whenever we pray and attend Mass, we are all united in the tender loving care of Our Lord.
The family would like to thank the paramedics who came to our home, the St. Martha’s Emergency Department team, Father Andrew Gillies and Sister Joana Madu for the consolation of the sacraments, the staff of 7.3 Halifax Infirmary, the ICU resuscitation team, and Dr. John Chiasson (Colin’s family doctor).
Memorial donations can be made to the SJ Hillside Cemetery Association, 1013, Hwy #4, Antigonish, NS B2G 2K8, St. Martha’s Regional Hospital Foundation, 25 Bay Street, Antigonish, NS and L’Arche Antigonish, 4 West Street, Antigonish, NS B2G 1R8. Online condolences: www.clcurry.com.
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