MacKinnon, John Joseph – Truro
John Joseph MacKinnon took his final breath on September 12, 2014 at 93 years of age. He was born in Antigonish to Jack and Mary Agnes (Chisholm) MacKinnon. He served overseas with the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals during World War II. John worked guard duty in two, four hour shifts a day while crossing the North Atlantic to England. From England he sailed to Sicily and served in the Italian campaign in Sicily and Italy and later to Marseille, France. His Unit then travelled by land to Belgium and Holland. He came under artillery and shell fire numerous times, had some arduous marches and never forgot the suffering of civilians, especially women and children, overseas. Returning to Canada John worked with CP Tel for 24 years in NS, NB and Maine before working for the Federal Government at Camp Debert, retiring in 1981. Retirement meant more time for construction and renovation projects, volunteer work, travel and helping his children get established. Dad built the cottage at Cape John in 1971 assisted by his oldest son; the younger sons helping during the later renovations and additions. He was most proud of the seventeen years they enjoyed very active winters in Clearwater, Florida. Dad’s cooking skills were amazing for the results and for how easily he put good, whole meals on the table. From buying groceries to grabbing a few things from the garden and brewing the perfect pot of tea, you ate well when Dad prepared dinner. Swiss steak was his signature entrée. As good as Grampie was at preparing whole foods, the grandkids most looked forward to pop floats. Dad’s decades of volunteer work with the Legion included committee work. He was a past President and served as Zone Commander. In his support of the organization, he never forgot who it was all for. His greatest satisfaction was helping a veteran by visiting a hospitalized vet or with filling out forms and writing letters of support; anything to increase a veteran’s quality of life. As a member of Immaculate Conception Parish he was proud to be a lay distributor of Holy Communion. Mom and dad were married in Moncton. They lived in Linwood when Dad’s job site was the Canso Causeway, settling in Truro in November 1956. Dad was predeceased by his wife Ivy (Craik); both parents, brother, Malcolm Anthony and sisters, Anna Cecilia and Christine Marie. He is survived by sons, John James “Jim” (Wendy), Andrew Joseph (Lindsay), both of Truro, Gordon Francis (Kim), Medicine Hat, AB; daughters, Mary Agnes (Larry) Collins, Debert, Ruth Ann (Steven) Hutchinson, Onslow, Margaret Cecilia (Curtis) Pyke, Wellington, Carol Elizabeth “Betty” (Michael) Chapman, Truro; sixteen grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren. Visitation will begin with a Royal Canadian Legion Tribute service, Monday, September 15th at 5:45 p.m. with visitation continuing until 8 p.m. in Colchester Community Funeral Home 512 Willow St., Truro. A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, September 16th at 1 p.m. in Immaculate Conception Church, 669 Prince St., Truro. Interment in Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Robie Street, Truro, on Friday, September 19th at 11 a.m. Special thanks to those at Camp Hill who were so helpful in making Dad’s time there so memorable. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or to a charity of choice. On-line condolences may be made at: www.ColchesterCommunity.com