Passed away on April 10th, 2012, at the QEII Health Sciences Centre in Halifax, surrounded by his children.
Born in Thorburn on February 12th, 1933, Johnnie was the eldest son of the late Barbara (MacDonald), and John “Duke” MacDougall.
He was a life-long resident of Thorburn, and lived at the Vale Mountain View Senior's Residence for the past three years.
From the time Johnnie was a young boy, he was an avid hunter and fisherman, and spent much of his time on the lake or in the woods. In fact, Dad hunted and fished every season since the time he was 16, including this past year, when he strategically “planted” apples in the fields of MacPherson's Mills, in hopes of luring the deer into plain view. He had a reputation for being a great woodsmen, and many sought his company and guidance on various hunting and fishing trips throughout the years, from the Garden of Eden and Lochaber Lake in Nova Scotia, to the Cape Breton Highlands, to Daniel's Harbour, in Saint Anthony's, Newfoundland.
At 16 Johnnie joined the Royal Canadian Navy, and travelled extensively throughout the world. After returning to the Maritimes, he worked briefly at the MacBean mine, then took his carpentry trade in North Sydney, Cape Breton, and worked in this field on and off throughout his life. He also worked at Hawker Siddeley, as a welder, for 25 years.
Johnnie is survived by his children: Brenda (Vince Rizzotti), New Glasgow; John Jr., Thorburn; Jenny, Halifax; Marylou, (Erik Walst), Stellarton; and Cheryl, Stellarton. Also survived by his beloved grandchildren, of whom he was most proud: Jonathan MacDougall (Jennifer); and Mila and Levon Walst.
In recent years, Dad was delighted to attend Jonathan's gigs and Levon's hockey games; he was a great fan of Mila's art work, and he was very much looking forward to becoming a great-grandfather this coming October.
He is also survived by brothers Robert, New Glasgow, and Sam (Mildred) Scotsburn, and sister Barbara Anne (Wayne Milligan), Minden, Ontario, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, Johnnie was predeceased by his son Donnie, his brother Donald, infant sister Margaret Isabel, and his former wife Lois (Murphy) MacDougall.
Remains will rest at the H.W. Angus Funeral Home in New Glasgow on Friday, April 13th. Afternoon visitation from 3-5 p.m.; evening visitation from 7-9 p.m. A funeral Mass will be held at Saint Anne's Roman Catholic Church in Thorburn, Saturday, April 14th at 11a.m. Reception to follow at Saint Anne's Church Hall.
Donations in Dad's memory may be made to the Lansdowne Outdoor Recreational Development Association (LORDA).
Dad will be remembered for his strong will, which was evident up until the end of his life.
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