Born at home to parents Alan and Mary Ann MacDonald in Cranbrook, BC on Christmas Day 1924, Dad completed his earthly journey more than 90 years later on August 24, 2015, peacefully passing away at home in Vancouver, BC.
Dad is predeceased by his parents Alan and Mary Ann (nee McKenzie) and his older brother Alan. He is survived by his loving wife Rose of 63 years, and his five sons Patrick (Gayleen), Ronald (Barbara), Douglas, Michael (Anne), and Raymond (Melinda); his six grandchildren Laura, Conor, Sean, Matthew, Jack, and Cameron; and his six nephews and nieces of his brother Alan (Irma).
Dad worked in the mines in Kimberley and Britannia Beach as a young man, and enlisted in the Navy during WWII when he went overseas on the HMS Puncher – an aircraft transport vessel – on which he served as a telegraph operator. On return to Canada, he completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at UBC in 1950. Eventually he commenced work at Woodward’s Stores Ltd., married Mom in 1952, and their brood of five boys followed. Dad’s final work years were spent as the General Office Manager at the Guildford Surrey location of Woodward’s.
Dad was competent at anything he put his mind to. This included squash, badminton, tennis, ping-pong, pool and crib – he was equally capable of challenging and often beating his children regardless of how hard they tried to defeat him. He also loved to play the piano and developed a penchant for golf later in life.
When asked a few years ago to list some things that had made him happiest in his long life, Dad replied: his time spent in the Navy; his 30 year career with his “second family” Woodward’s; golfing with his buddies in retirement; and the fact that his five boys had “all turned out so well”. Thanks Dad!
The family would like to extend a big thank you to a number of people, starting with Dr. Bruce Gibson with the Home VIVE eldercare program -- Bruce became Dad’s in-home physician and provided him with exceptional compassionate care; Brenda Rosenau, Caseworker with VCH; and on a daily basis, the wonderful care aides with ABC Home Support Service and Bayshore Home Health Care. All of you contributed immeasurably to our father’s well-being and comfort in his final years, and the family couldn’t have managed without you.
In lieu of flowers, the family would ask you to consider making a financial donation to the VGH / UBC Hospital Foundation (Home-VIVE Fund), 190-855 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1M9, or go online at www.tinyurl.com/RayMacDonald Condolences may be offered online at www.kearneyfs.com