Colin 'Collie' MacDonald
Born In: New Waterford, Nova Scotia, Canada
Passed in: River Ryan, Nova Scotia, Canada
Passed on: October 18th, 2010
It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that we announce the passing of a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather and brother, Colin Francis MacDonald of River Ryan on Oct. 15, 2010, at the Glace Bay Hospital with his loving family by his side.
Colin was born and raised in New Waterford. He was the son of the late John A. MacDonald (Jack the widow) and Margaret (MacLellan) MacDonald.
He was employed with the Dominion Coal Company for 21 years as a Mining Official in #16 and #18 collieries. In 1955, he became a member of the New Waterford Mine Rescue Team. Later in 1958, as captain of his team, he assisted the rescue effort at the Spring Hill Mine disaster. In 1960, he started his own business, Ocean Fuels Ltd., River Ryan, which remains in the family today. In 1967, he accepted the position of mining inspector and later supervisor of mine inspections with the Provincial Department of Labour until his retirement in 1989.
Colin was a devoted parishioner of the former St. Michael's parish, now St. Leonard's. He was a life-long member of the Knights of Columbus, Council 3209 New Waterford. He enjoyed wood working, reading and working around his yard, camping in Englishtown Ridge and making his daily visits to Ocean Fuels. His greatest joy was spending time with his family.
He will be deeply missed by his daughters, Colleen Tighe and Anita Tatlock (Derek); sons, John (Diane), Lawrence (Barbara), Raymond (Lorraine), all of River Ryan; sister, Ella MacDonald of Detroit, Mich. Colin was known as "Papa" by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by his grandchildren, Robert Tighe (Jenn), Winnipeg, Angela Douglas (Kevin), Kingston, Ont., Derek MacDonald (Bindu), Sudbury, Paul MacDonald (Becky), Gananoque, Jennifer Graveline (Ian), Glen Haven, Michelle Tatlock, Glen Haven, Jeffrey Tatlock, Oklahoma, David MacDonald, Antigonish, and Mark MacDonald, River Ryan. Papa had a special place in his heart for his 10 great-grandchildren, Colton, Colin and Danny Tighe, Paige and Lauren Douglas, Jaya and Nadia MacDonald, Duncan and Elliot MacDonald and Sophie Graveline. He is also survived by sisters-in-law, Jean Cameron, Doris MacDonald, Savina MacNeil, Mary (Sandy) MacDonald; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, he was also predeceased by his stepmother, Kay MacDonald. Colin was recently predeceased by his wife, Mary Jessie (Aug. 12, 2010), brothers, Angus 'Curly', Allan, Alexander 'Sandy', Francis 'Chubby', stepbrothers, Jeff and Joe MacNeil, stepsisters, Lexie Graham, Mary Kennedy, Annie MacIntyre, and son-in-law, Francis Tighe.
Visitation will be held today (Monday, Oct. 18) from 2-4 and 7-9 at V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 380 Smith St., New Waterford. A funeral mass of celebration will take place Tuesday, Oct. 19 at 10 a.m. in the Parish Church of St. Leonard, Mount Carmel Avenue, with Fr. Doug MacDonald officiating. Burial will be in St. Michael's Cemetery with a luncheon to follow at the Knights of Columbus Hall, Plummer Avenue, New Waterford. Members of the Knights of Columbus will assemble for a prayer service in the funeral home at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct 18.
Donations in his memory may be made to the Nova Scotia Lung Association or the Canadian Diabetes Association.
Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.vjmcgillivray.ca.
"A Father's Love Will Never Die"
