Thomas 'Spruce' MacDougall
Lieu de naissance : North Sydney, Nouvelle Ecosse, Canada
Date de naissance : 17 décembre 1950
Lieu de décès : Halifax, Nouvelle Ecosse, Canada
Date de décès : 19 octobre 2011
It is with heartfelt sadness that we announce the passing of Thomas Joseph (Spruce) MacDougall on Oct. 19, 2011. After a courageous battle with cancer, he passed away in the QEII hospital in the loving arms of his family.
Tom was born in North Sydney, Cape Breton, during a raging snow storm on Dec. 17, 1950. He was raised in Sydney Mines, where his early education and love of learning began. He was a graduate of St. Mary’s University where he obtained a B.Sc. in Mathematics and a Bachelor of Education. He also completed graduate studies in Mathematics Education at St. Francis Xavier, St. Mary’s and Mount St. Vincent Universities.
Tom was a proud teacher who taught at Riverview High in Coxheath, Cape Breton, after he graduated and then accepted a position with the Dartmouth School Board (later HRSB). He taught at Prince Andrew High School, St. Peter’s Jr. High, John Martin Jr. High, Prince Arthur Jr. High and finally Dartmouth High School from which he retired as Mathematics Department Head. For the first 20 years of his career, he also taught adults with Dartmouth Continuing Education and students of all ages with the Dartmouth Summer School Program. In the later years of his career, Tom was involved as a contributor, editor and marker for the provincial Mathematics Examination. After his retirement, he was a Mathematics Evaluation Consultant with the N.S. Department of Education.
Besides his remarkable intellect, he had a great sense of humour and an unmatched quick wit. He had a true gift for storytelling and enjoyed nothing more than making his friends, family and students laugh. Tom was truly generous, from freely giving his help to anyone in need, to offering to share his last tasty bite of food. He proudly passed on to his family his joy of music, love of the outdoors and passion for photography. He loved all things Cape Breton, in particular his Scottish heritage. He returned to the island often where he visited friends and relatives and spent many summers doing what he truly loved-camping with his family.
He is predeceased by his parents, Donald and Margaret (Capstick) Mac Dougall.
He is survived by his brothers, Donald (Cathy), Garson (Sharon) and David (Elaine) and his lifelong friend, his cousin, Lawrence (Audrey). He is also survived by his devoted wife, Celeste and his four loving children, Meghan, Graeme, Dan and Laura. He will be deeply missed by many friends and extended family.
Special thanks to Dr. Alwin Jeyakumar; nurse, Darlene and the many nurses and volunteers on the 11th floor at the QEII, VG site. Thank you also to Dr. Nabeel Samad and the nurses and staff on 8A, in particular, nurse Meghan. Your dedication, compassion and care are truly appreciated.
Cremation has taken place and there will be no visitation. Burial will take place at a later time. The funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dartmouth Funeral Home, 29 Queen St., Dartmouth.
A funeral mass to celebrate Tom’s life will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2011 at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 1 Kuhn Dr., Dartmouth, at the corner of Caledonia Road and Main Street, with Rev. Fr. Randall Doucette officiating, followed by a reception in the church hall.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.
Online condolences may be made by visiting www. dartmouthfuneralhome.ca.
