Justin MacDonald

It is with profound sadness that we, the family, announce the death of our son, brother and friend, Kenneth Justin MacDonald at the age of 34.

Born in North Sydney, Justin is the son of Kenneth and Mary Margaret “Peggy” (Trainor) MacDonald.

Besides his parents, Justin is survived by his sisters Laura and Destiny MacDonald, and Alyssa DiMarco; brothers George and Zander MacDonald.  Justin also leaves behind his uncle and godfather Gordon (Rhonda) MacDonald; uncles Gerard (Brenda) MacDonald, Colin (Yvonne) MacDonald, Pius (Christine) Trainor, T.J. Trainor; aunts Janet Geeggie, Christine (Chris) Hines, Brenda (Brian) MacMullin, Bernadine Trainor (Kim Littlemore), aunt and godmother Norma Barter, Betty Ann (Dean) Hines, Alana Trainor (Tony) and Justine (Mike) O’Grady.  Also left to mourn his passing are his best friends Jackie MacNeil and Chelsey Slade, many friends and many nieces, nephews and cousins, along with his faithful dog companion Hannibal.

At a young age Justin was involved with cubs and scouts and later he tried his hand at baseball. He also loved the game of hockey, his favorite team being Toronto Maple Leafs and in baseball the Toronto Blue Jays. Justin play, hed hockey all through his school years making many connections and friends. Justin started working at a young age, always working with his dad in the sales business. He started with a telemarking company for a couple of years, then he went to the Milita at sixteen becoming one of the youngest paramedics with the 35 Field Ambulance Unit training in Bordon, Ontario and Halifax. His passion for life never stopped Justin, he continued his career joining MacDonald Auto Group as a sales and finance consultant and then became a young manager for MacDonald Kia in Port Hawkesbury, he later joined his father’s business, running the Aerus office. Justin made another career choice and went back to school and received his Technical Electrical Engineering degree and procured a job with Protocase, a position he knew he could grow with.

Justin’s passion for his community never wavered, he joined his mother with the running of The Challenger Baseball Program for kids with cognitive and physical disabilities and made it his own.  Coach Justin was responsible for joining Jay’s Care and every year they would have a jamboree. During Covid he organized a trip that changed many lives and gave memories of a lifetime, taking just over sixty people to Toronto with disabilities, buddies, coaches and more. They raised just over one hundred thousand dollars to make it happen and it is something that may never be done again.

During Covid he never stopped helping his community. Justin and his mother made over three thousand face masks for the community to pass out and he made many deliveries that no one knew about. He gave with out asking or recognition. He was recognized by the local legion for building benches at the cenotaph with his sister because they needed love. He was instrumental in getting the funding for the Sydney Mines ball field to make it safe to play for everyone, raising over five hundred thousand to get artificial turf. He also helped Sydney Little League acquire their funding for the artificial turf through Jay’s Care He coached with the Sydney Mines Ramblers during the Canadian Senior Little League Championship in 2022, he later formed what we have today as the CB Miracle Athletes and just before Justin died his coaches parents and volunteers planned a trip to Florida to play The Orlando Miracle athletes raising money for almost 3 years to bring another dream of a life time to almost eighty people. Justin missed out of going on the trip in October. His mother and the other coach made his dream to play ball a reality. Justin and his mother received Co-Coach of the year in 2023 by the Toronto Blue Jays, Jay’s Care Program, he received many volunteer awards. He represented the province of Nova Scotia in 2023 sent by Premier Tim Houston to join forces with Jay’s Care for our two provinces. Justin will be missed deeply but remembered forever.

We want to thank the tireless efforts of the Cape Breton Regional Police, Major Crime unit, and Chief Robert Walsh who kept in contact with my brother Gordon MacDonald, who was my rock. Their daily contact and their continued support in getting justice for our Justin. Also, to the new found family that put themselves out there daily. To everyone who helped in any way to find Justin, you all know who you are “Thank you”.  

A visitation for Justin will be held 4-7 pm, Thursday, June 5th, at the W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant Street, North Sydney.  A funeral mass will be celebrated at 11 am, Friday, June 6, at St. Joseph Church, North Sydney, with Rev. Doug MacDonald officiating and Rev Conrad Edwards concelebrating.  The funeral will be live- streamed on the W.J. Dooley Funeral Home Facebook page. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Justin MacDonald, please visit our floral store.