Lloyd MacDonald
Lieu de naissance : North Sydney
Date de décès : 27 avril 2013
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Lloyd MacDonald, age 82, at his home in Ironville, Saturday, April 27, 2013, surrounded by his loving family.
Lloyd was born in 1931, on the Gannon Road, North Sydney, to parents James R. MacDonald, Beechmont. and Belle Gouthro, Frenchvale.
Only several months later James R. died in an accident in the Florence coal mine. Soon Lloyd’s mother Belle showed early signs of multiple sclerosis and subsequently Lloyd was raised by his aunt Elizabeth (MacDonald) and her husband John (Jack) MacDonald at Ironville — and later they lived next door to Lloyd’s brother Hector, his sister Sylvia and their mother Belle in North Sydney.
Lloyd’s father, James R. had played the violin along with his brothers, Murdoch and Hector. Lloyd’s stepmother, Aunt Lizzie and stepfather Jack were both Gaelic singers. Lloyd studied with “Professor Jimmy” MacDonald, North Sydney, had a weekly CJCB radio show with Mildred Leadbeater and performed at theatre musical productions in Antigonish, where he attended St. FX.
A businessman from a young age, Lloyd sold Chevrolets at R.J. Logue’s in North Sydney. In 1957, Lloyd co-founded Scotsman Motors, a Sydney Studebaker dealership. In 1959, he founded Lloyd MacDonald Sales, Sydney River. Lloyd also serviced a market throughout western Newfoundland. In 1967, Lloyd established a Datsun franchise, known as Datsunland.
Joined by four of his sons in the 1980s, Lloyd MacDonald Sales expanded and through his television commercials Lloyd became know as “Tokyo Lloyd.” In 1992, Lloyd acquired Breton Toyota. In recent years Lloyd’s business has expanded and is known today as MacDonald Auto Group.
Lloyd married Winifred Jeanette MacDonald of Sydney in 1956 and they had a family of 12, a family who would later reflect both his passions for business and music.
Winnie and Lloyd founded the family band Scumalash in the early 1980s, releasing an album in 1992, and in 2011, Lloyd released his album entitled “Aires in Bloom.” Gardening and hockey were Lloyd’s other passions.
To the end of his life, Lloyd maintained strong personal faith and had deep respect for the vocations of his brother, the late Fr. Hector MacDonald, and his sister, the late Sr. Sylvia MacDonald, Sisters of St. Martha, Antigonish. Lloyd remained musically faithful to his Boisdale parish, and always to his wife Winnie, who is the choir director for the Boisdale parish, where Lloyd always loved to be accompanied by his very close friend Janet Cameron.
Lloyd was also a generous contributor to his community and donated much of his time to helping his favourite charities.
Lloyd was the last surviving member of his immediate family.
Lloyd is survived by his wife Winnie, 10 sons and two daughters — James (Joan), Chris (Judy), Paul, Michael (Taunia), Ronald (Julia), Mark (Erin), Patrick, Annie (Brian), Alexandra (Darren), Shawn (Charlotte), Daniel (Jennifer), Martin (Kristen). He is also survived by 16 grandchildren whom he loved very much — Ryan, Kristin, Nicholas, Jennifer (Darci), Michael, Michelle, Victoria, Madison, Ashley, Allissa, Dylan, Connor, Alex, Sam, Moira and Jerome.
Lloyd is predeceased by his mother, Belle and father, James, brother, Fr. Hector and sister, Sylvia MacDonald.
Throughout his short illness, Lloyd retold us many of his stories and he sincerely wanted to let everyone know that he “was just a boy from the road … the Gannon Road.” In the end, Lloyd met every single day with his usual sense of absolute charming hope — and consistent humour. “The warranty is up boys …”
Visitation is on Friday, May 3, from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m., at the Membertou Trade and Convention Centre, under the direction of Dooley’s Funeral Home. The funeral mass will be held 11 a.m., Saturday, May 4 at St. Joseph’s Church, North Sydney, with Rev. Norman MacPhee, Rev. Dan MacInness and Rev. Paul Abbass officiating. A reception will be held immediately following the service at the Emera Centre (Arena), North Sydney.
We wish to extend our heartfelt thanks to the palliative care team, VON, Dr. Kian Khodadad, the Cape Breton Cancer Centre and Dr. Paul Murphy.
You sailed away on your wings of hope,
and comforted us
with the strings of your harp
and the songs in your heart
You showed us the way, and in turn, gave us all hope –
for you had it in excess.
