Duncan MacDougall
Born In: Donkin, Nova Scotia, Canada
Born: November 21st, 1919
Passed in: Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada
Passed on: April 10th, 2009
Duncan MacDougall
1919 – 2009
Donkin
It is with sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Duncan MacDougall age 89 of Donkin. Duncan passed away on Friday, April 10, 2009 at the Glace Bay Health Care Complex.
Born in Donkin on November 21, 1919, he was the son of the late John R. and Mary (Gillis) MacDougall. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family.
Duncan received his education in Donkin School and in his youth was an avid hockey player. In September 1939, enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy, subject to call up. In 1940 he joined the Royal Canadian Artillery and attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was at Fort Petrie, C.B. and Shelburne, N.S. as a gunnery instructor and he also was stationed in Gaspe, Quebec.
Duncan studied carpentry, cabinet making and architectural design and received diplomas from the Nova Scotia Department of Labour. He was employed as a carpenter and contractor for many years. Upon obtaining his GED, he taught advanced carpentry and mathematics at the Port Hawkesbury Vocational School and also at the Eskasoni Training Centre. He helped implement cabinet making classes in Glace Bay as part of a head start program for young men. He was also at one time Housing Director for the County of Cape Breton and oversaw the start up of the RRAP Program. He also represented the Central Mortgage & Housing Corporation, who provided housing for seniors across Nova Scotia. After his retirement, he was appointed a Board Member of the Glace Bay Community Hospital and served on various committees.
Duncan was an active member of St. Gregory’s Catholic Church in Donkin and served on the Church Council. He devoted many of his retirement years to the beautification of the church and cemetery. He was also a senior altar server. Duncan enjoyed gardening, oil painting and wood carving. He took great pride in his Scottish heritage, attended clan gatherings and spent many years researching and compiling his family genealogy. He learned to play the bagpipes and was the piper at the ground breaking ceremony prior to the construction of the Glace Bay Health Care Complex. Duncan was a longtime member of the Donkin Legion, Branch #5.
Duncan is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years, the former Ebe Antonello; son, Bob (Beverly); daughters, Linda (John) Prendergast, Helen (Stephen), Lewis, all of Donkin; cherished grandchildren and great grandchildren, Josh (Jennifer) Davis, Lara (Jon Paul) Janze, Caitlin Lewis, Leon Prendergast, and great grandchildren, Tianna, Zoe and Luke and numerous nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, Duncan was predeceased by brothers, John Joe, Rannie, Roderick, Thompson, Robert, Kenneth; sisters, Lizzie, Catherine, Isabell, Cecilia, Elizabeth and Gertrude.
Duncan was a devoted husband, loving father and loyal friend. He will be ever remembered and ever loved.
In honoring Duncan’s wishes, cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held Tuesday, April 14, 2009, 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. in V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 16 Reserve St., Glace Bay. A funeral mass will be celebrated 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 15, 2009 at St. Gregory’s Catholic Church, Donkin with Fr. Conrad Edwards officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.
Donations in Duncan’s memory may be made to St. Gregory’s Cemetery Fund or a charity of choice.
On line condolences to the MacDougall family are available through www.vjmcgillivray.ca
“Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn’s rain.
When you awake in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there, I did not die.â€
