It is with great sadness that the family of Kevin Joseph MacDonald (Hadley), age 65, of Antigonish, announce his passing after a stoic battle with a rare form of AML. Born in Antigonish to Helen MacDonald (Boyd) and the late Albert A. MacDonald, Kevin demonstrated his relentlessness from a very early age as he trudged through the snow before sunup, alone, with full hockey kit in tow to be the first to mark the freshly glistening ice of the old rink. Kevin spent much of his younger years rifling through the woods for game, trolling the rivers, and playing sports as he grew alongside his beloved brothers and sister on Braemore Avenue.
Kevin attended Dr. John Hugh Gillis High School, where he met the love of his life, Gail. He graduated in 1976 and again in 1981 from the Maritime Forestry School in Fredericton. Going on to work in the forestry industry for over 40 years, mainly with Scott & Stewart Forestry, Kevin was integral with his harvesting supervision and insight. His love of the wilderness never waned. Kevin spent years curating his camp, still perched in a glade, overlooking a gentle glen on Keppoch Mountain. He fished the remote lakes of Guysborough County and during the winter months many woodworking projects were built that garnish the family home.
Hadley MacDonald, as he was affectionately called after his grandfather, was an accomplished hockey player who played for many teams and leagues over his nearly 60-season span of ice time that included Pete Porier’s team, rural league, and many years of recreation league. He would rack up many MVP titles and win many scoring races. Later in his life, Hadley would excel at the notorious game of golf as a single figure player until his last summer. Always one to make hay when the sun was shining, Kevin would take time from his 30 year tenure making puts at the Antigonish Golf & Country Club to sojourn to the sunny North Carolina fairways where he made some of his fondest memories with brother Mark and great friend, Marty.
He is survived by his wife Gail (Bray) and three daughters; Lisa (Craig Boyd), Morristown; Cynthia (Liam Walsh), St. Andrew’s; Julie, Halifax; and two granddaughters, Savannah and Josie, whom he adored and watches over.
He is also survived by his mother Helen MacDonald (Boyd), Antigonish; brothers Paul (May), Vancouver; Boyd, Antigonish; Mark (Caroline), North Carolina; Lorne, Edmonton; Roger, Antigonish; and sister Marie (Andrew), Heatherton; as well as many nieces and nephews and in-laws.
Kevin was predeceased by his father Bert (Hadley) MacDonald and brother Peter.
The family would like to thank everyone who supported us through his illness. Particularly the people that visited his home as well as those who reached out and made a connection. Thank you to the wonderful nurses and doctors on the hematology unit at the VG for their impeccable attention to detail, the amazing nurses and Dr. Cooper at the chemotherapy clinic/palliative care unit at St. Martha’s for their inestimable compassion, and to all who prayed or heaved a wish in good faith, thank you all.
Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be from 2-4 PM and 7-9 PM on Friday November 24th at C.L Curry Funeral Home, 135 College Street, Antigonish, followed by Funeral Mass at St. Ninian’s Cathedral at 11 AM on Saturday November 25th. A private family burial will be held at a later date. Family flowers only please. Online condolences: www.clcurry.com.