Francis MacDonald passed away peacefully at his home on October 29, 2023, surrounded by his loving wife of 58 years, Catherine.
Born in The Gusset, he was one of seven children of John Dan and Margaret Florence MacDonald: Mary (Alan) Butler (deceased); Anne (Ronald) MacDonald (deceased); John (Margaret) MacDonald; Clarence (Joan) MacDonald; Beverly (Alan) Roberts; and Bernard MacDonald.
In his early years, he attended Lismore school and worked as a lobster fisherman's helper then worked the farm at home.
Francis played hockey and softball with County teams with scarce equipment and little means of transportation. He always had many a story to tell about these trips to the rink and ballfield.
He worked hard over the years and held many jobs including employment at Eastern Woodworks, the Department of Highways and RA Douglas Contractors. He helped build the Canso Causeway and would tell this story every time he drove his grandson to hockey. In 1971, he began driving a school bus for Frank H. MacDonald and East Pictou Rural High School, until his retirement in 1996. Always drawn to keep active and busy, his retirement lasted a day as he sought out part-time employment at Arisaig Fisheries. He loved the stories at the wharf and the long drives to Prince Edward Island delivering fish.
Francis had a knack for being able to fix anything. He loved tools – had six of each - and knew exactly where each was and supposed to be. He did his own repairs and could fix almost anything, especially his tractors.
Francis possessed a strong mind and a wicked sense of humor. Up until the day he passed, he could recall history and stories of the old days. An ardent follower of current events, he watched the supper hour news daily until his passing and was always quick to provide words of advice to help the Blue Jays, Red Sox, Maple Leafs and Patriots. A passionate observer of politics, many a night he would engage in spirited partisan conversations with his sister, Anne, especially on election night.
Francis was a long-standing member of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Lismore. He served on the Cemetery Committee where he helped in many activities related to the community, including mowing the church and graveyard grass.
Francis was a very quiet, private, and proud man. He was incredibly proud of his two grandchildren, Abby and Ryan, who had the privilege to know their grandfather for many years. He built them a swing set when they were young and took them for many rides on the tractor when cutting wood. He always wanted to know their school marks, the score in the hockey game and critique their grass cutting skills.
He is survived by his wife, Catherine; children, Michael (Lillian); Stephen (Tara); and Carla; grandchildren, Abby and Ryan Janes; and 14 nieces and 11 nephews.
Visitation will take place 4-7 pm Friday, November 3, at the R.H. Porter Funeral Home, 55 Almont Avenue, New Glasgow, NS.
A funeral mass will be held at 11am on Saturday, November 4 at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, 4735 Shore Road, Lismore, Nova Scotia. A reception at the Lismore Community Centre will follow.
Donations may be made to the St. Mary’s Cemetery, Lismore.