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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
MacDONALD, Alexander Bernard (Alex) - born on December 21st, 1939, in Sydney, Nova Scotia, peacefully passed away in his Lower Sackville home surrounded by his loving family on June 14, 2023. He was a cherished husband, father, brother, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Preceding him in death were his beloved parents, Peter and Margaret MacDonald, as well as his dear sister, Marjorie MacEachern.
Left to cherish his memory is his devoted wife of 62 years, Mary (Gerry) MacDonald, nee Brocklehurst, their son Cameron (Ardith) of Porters Lake, NS, their daughter Barbara (Neil) of Halifax, NS, and his sisters Helen (Joe) Kennedy of Halifax, NS, Ann MacDonald of Oakville, ON, and Jane (Robert) Burns of Sydney River, NS. He also leaves behind his adored grandchildren: Stacy (Jeremy) Wetmore of Ottawa, ON, Shawna (Hartley) Shapiro of Mississauga, ON, Peter (Ashley) MacDonald of Rocky Mountain House, AB, and his great-grandson Henry (Stacy's infant son). Additionally, he will be fondly remembered by numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Alex, a proud veteran, dedicated 33 years of his life to serving in the Royal Canadian Navy and Air Force, primarily in the Air element as an Observer in CH-124 Sea King Helicopters, CP-121 Trackers, CP-107 Argus, and CP-140 Aurora. Following his honorable retirement from the military, he continued to contribute his expertise by flying special missions with Provincial Airlines for another decade. Throughout his lifetime, Alexander pursued diverse interests, including RV travel with his family, woodworking that involved creating fine furniture and intricately carved ducks, and planning unforgettable family reunions to ensure strong bonds among relatives. His passion for technology kept him engaged with current events, while his passion as a spectator for all sports kept him busy in the later years.
Alex possessed a remarkable talent for storytelling and humor, and he derived equal joy from sharing anecdotes and receiving them. His invaluable wisdom served as a guiding light for our entire family. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to Veterans Affairs for their steadfast support over the past 4 years.
We are also deeply grateful to Home Instead for providing professional and personalized care, which brought comfort to our entire family during recent weeks, as well as to the Victorian Order of Nurses for their compassion and assistance. Furthermore, we would like to acknowledge Alexander's exceptional neighbours, whose kindness and mutually supportive relationship meant the world to him and our family.
A Funeral Mass, commemorating Alexander's life, will be held in mid-August in Lower Sackville's St. John Vianney Holy Trinity Parish. Further details will be provided in due course. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to the Seafarers Mission Halifax, as a meaningful tribute to Alexander's memory.
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