Anse MacDonald

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved father, Angus Anselm "Anse" MacDonald, on February 20th, 2023 at the Aberdeen Hospital in New Glasgow.  Born in Sydney on April 20th, 1928, to the late Joe Angus and Agnes (Currie) MacDonald, Anse is survived by his devoted children, Karen (Keith) Williams, Halifax; Brent (Cindy) MacDonald, Bedford; Bruce (Terri) MacDonald, Upper Tantallon; and Janet (Larry) Nicholson, Coxheath; grandchildren, Joey (Becca) and Jeffrey (Jennifer) Williams; Liam and Neil MacDonald; and Amanda, Julia, and Jennifer Nicholson; great-grandchildren, Brayden, Emmett, Georgia, and Tucker; brother, Vincent (Anne) MacDonald, Halifax; and many nieces and nephews. Anse was predeceased by his dear wife, Bernice (MacKenzie), infant sons Kent and David; brothers Daniel and Currie, and sisters Marie, Anita and Catherine.

Growing up in Cape Breton, Anse played hockey on the old Sydney Tar Ponds. He often reminisced about his summers as a steward in the Merchant Marines sailing between Cape Breton and Newfoundland on the Arthur Cross.

As a teenager, he dabbled in boxing with a professional record of 10-0-1; his only loss being to an opponent from a heavier weight class.

Anse played varsity basketball, hockey and football in high school and college. He was a member of the first-string team when Saint Mary’s High School downed Montreal High School 27-7 in front of over 3,000 fans in Halifax in 1946.

He married his true love Bernice in 1956 and they eventually settled in New Glasgow where they raised their family. Anse worked in the finance and life insurance industries. Always involved in his community, in the 1960s he was the Chairperson of the first Festival of Tartans, active in the Gyro Club, the St. Andrew’s Society of Pictou County and the Liberal Party of Canada.

In 1966, he was appointed as the secretary of the Pictou County Boxing Commission. Then in the early 1970s, he was appointed as the Chairperson of the new Nova Scotia Boxing Authority. His dedication to the sport led to his induction to the Canadian Boxing Hall of Fame in 1979.

Affectionately known as the godfather of basketball in Pictou County, Anse became involved in the sport in 1976 when his son Brent’s New Glasgow midget team was going to New Brunswick to play in the Maritime basketball finals but were short funds.

He donated hundreds of hours behind the scene to help organize youth and adult basketball. Anse introduced tournaments, operated summer and winter leagues, and established the Green and White Booster and the Highland Athletic Clubs.

He started the annual New Glasgow High School basketball tournament in 1984 that lasted until 2003 when the school closed its doors. The annual high school basketball tournament held at the North Nova Education Centre in New Glasgow was named the Anse MacDonald Invitational in his honour.

He received the Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada and Certificate issued by the Governor General of Canada in recognition of significant contribution to compatriots, community and to Canada 1867-1992.

In 2011, he received the Frank Baldwin Award from Basketball Nova Scotia in recognition of his long-term and significant contribution to the development of the sport in Nova Scotia.

Anse was a man of great faith. He enjoyed telling a good story about Cape Breton and Grand Mira. He inspired others with his humour, his love of and commitment to his family, and service to his community. In his later years, he reiterated numerous times not to feel badly for him when he passed as, in his own words, he had the best life imaginable.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of R. H. Porter Funeral Home, 55 Almont Ave., New Glasgow.  Visitation on Friday, February 24th, 2-4 and 7-9pm.  Funeral mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 112 North St., Stellarton, Saturday, February 25th, at 11 am, with Fr. Macdonald Ibeh presiding.  Family flowers only. Memorial donations may be made to the Palliative Care Unit, Aberdeen Hospital.

Anse’s family would like to thank all his healthcare and personal care providers, with a special thanks to Lorraine Langille, for their dedication and compassion in looking after him over the last few years.