Ottawa - Reginald Wallace MacDonald, of Ottawa, passed away in Ottawa on Bastille Day, July 14, 2011.
Known as Reggie, he was the eldest son of Finlay Howard MacDonald and Mary Ann Somerville. Named after his father’s brother Wallace, Reggie was born in the family home in Sunny Brae on August 4, 1932. He attended the Sunny Brae School, The Calvin Presbyterian Church in Sunny Brae and was a member of the Sunny Brae Boy Scout Troop.
At the age of 18 years, Reggie joined the Canadian Air Force on March 28, 1951. He received his basic training at St. Jean, Quebec, attended a course at Clinton, Ontario, was remustered to St. Jean, attended an administrative course at Alymer, Quebec, was transferred to Trenton, Ontario and then to Debert, Nova Scotia. In 1952, at the age of 19 years, he was transferred to Paris, France. When his mother heard this news, she thought it was Paris, Ontario. When she found out it was Paris, France she wanted to “buy him out” of the Air Force so her teenage son would remain in Canada.
Reggie was stationed in Paris for 8 months and then was stationed in Metz, France. On June 18, 1954 at Metz he was married by the Mayor of Metz to Colette Felicie Buhrer of Metz. As was the custom in Metz, they were married in a church the following day.
After France, Reggie was stationed at Greenwood and Halifax in Nova Scotia, Ramstein in Germany and then in Ottawa. After serving for 30 years, Reggie retired from the Air Force on March 28, 1981.
He then managed a fine antique store known as Widdicombs of Westboro on Richmond Road in Ottawa until full retirement arrived in December 2007. A notable athlete, Reggie excelled in fastball, hockey, softball and bowling. As a pitcher, he earned the name “Stretch”.
Reggie is survived by his wife and dance partner of 57 years, Colette of Ottawa and their three sons: Mike (Bonnie) of Glendale, California; John Paul (Lyn) of Ottawa; David (Shannon) of Ottawa and David and Shannon’s children, Matthew and Amanda of Ottawa. In Nova Scotia, he is survived by his brothers Gerald (Barbara) and Clyde in New Glasgow, his sisters Marion Carney and Virginia (Danny) MacDonald in Halifax, six nephews, eight nieces and thirteen first cousins. He was predeceased by his father Finlay in 1985, his mother Mary in 1998, his sister Nancy Raymond in Manhattan, USA in 2003 and an infant sister Alice Diane in 1944.
No service by request. If so desired, donations to the Canadian Diabetic Association would be greatly appreciated by the family.