David Hugh MacDonald

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David Hugh MacDonald

Coxheath/North Sydney

It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of David Hugh MacDonald, 67, loving husband, father, grandfather and dear son, brother, uncle and friend, on Thursday September 21, 2017.  David died peacefully at his home after a courageous battle with cancer.

Born in Mulgrave on October 18, 1949, David was the son of Teresa (Ryan) MacDonald and the late Hugh “Sonny” MacDonald.

David graduated from St. Joseph High School in North Sydney, where he was an accomplished track and field athlete and enjoyed playing hockey.

He went on to graduate from St. F.X. University in Antigonish, with a Bachelor of Arts in 1972 and Bachelor of Education degree in 1974. During this time he began work with C.N. Marine and continued working with C.N. and later Marine Atlantic, retiring in 2004 with over 40 years of service.

Spending time with nature was an important part of David’s life.  He felt peaceful sitting on the shoreline beneath the sun listening to the waves.  He felt energized immersed in the water during his daily swims.  He felt contented when he took his dog for his evening walks.  And during the last days, when beaches and walks were no longer possible, he felt great serenity sitting with Miriam on their deck watching the daily changes in the flowers that grew around them.  Even the birds, who he fed every day, will miss him.

David was a quiet, private man, a devoted husband and proud father to his children and grandchildren, around whom his world revolved.

Besides his mother, Teresa, he is survived by his wife Miriam (Dunn) MacDonald; his three children, Olivia, Thomas (Paige) and Vincent; by his three grandchildren, Allara, Skye, Caleb; his six siblings, Jacinta (Dale) Archibald, Brian (Judy) MacDonald, Robert MacDonald, Bill MacDonald, Brent (Jennifer) MacDonald, Michael (April) MacDonald. Also surviving are his extended family, his mother and father-in-law Ellen and Gerard Dunn, brothers and sisters-in-law, Morrissey Dunn (Cheryl Chafe), Camilla Dunn, Stellamarie (Larry) Wile, Timothy Dunn (Gail Knott), Damien Dunn (Millie Pettigrew), Gerard Dunn, as well as several nieces and nephews.

David was his family’s anchor, especially when life’s seas got rough.  With his quiet strength and gentle confidence, always calm, always dependable, David helped put life and its troubles into perspective with a few wise words; “Small thing on a big ship.”  His memory will now anchor us as we navigate these troubled waters without him.

Visitation for David will be held from 7-9 p.m. on Sunday in the W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant Street, North Sydney. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 2:00 p.m. on Monday at St. Joseph Church, North Sydney with Rev. Patrick O’Neill officiating.

Memorial donations may be made to Hospice Palliative Care Society of Cape Breton.  

Online condolences may be sent to www.wjdooley.com

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