Fr. Alex MacKinnon
Born In: New Waterford, Nova Scotia, Canada
Passed in: Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada
Passed on: August 9th, 2011
It is with deepest sadness that we, the family, announce the passing of Father Alexander MacKinnon, 82, of Antigonish, who died Tuesday, Aug. 9, at St. Martha Hospital after a long battle with cancer.
Father Alex was born and raised in New Waterford and was the son of the late John J. MacKinnon and Isabel (Campbell) MacKinnon.
He graduated from Saint Francis Xavier University in 1951. He attended the Grand Seminary in Quebec City and Laval University, in 1955 was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Antigonish. Father Alex served as assistant pastor at St. Peter’s parish, Port Hood, St. John the Baptist parish, New Glasgow, and St Joseph’s parish, North Sydney. In 1961 he was appointed to the Antigonish Diocesan Latin American Apostolate where he spent the next 14 years serving the diocese in Central America. He spent the first four years in Costa Rica and was then assigned to Honduras where the needs were much greater. During his time in Honduras he was appointed director of the Antigonish Diocesan Apostolate for Honduras lasting until 1975. In 1975 Father Alex was appointed to the staff of the Coady International Institute of St.F.X. University as co-ordinator of the Latin America Sector, responsible for all Coady activities relating to Latin America. He also served as chaplain to Catholic students and was the co-ordinator of counselling services at the Coady. In 1987 Father Alex became registrar of the Coady International Institute. In 1994 he retired from the Coady and did sabbatical studies in Ottawa and Rome. He then served as parish priest of St. Joseph’s, Antigonish County. From July 1996 until his second retirement in 2009 Father Alex served as chaplain at St.Martha’s Hospital.
Father Alex is survived by his sisters, Ann Genereux, Penticton, B.C., Mary MacGillivary, Sydney, N.S., Willena MacKinnon, Phoenix, Arizona, Theresa (Pat) Lee, Studio City, Calif.; sisters-in-law, Sadie (Francis) MacKinnon, Rochester, N.H., Kay (Roddie) MacKinnon, New Waterford, N.S., and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was predeceased by his brothers, Donald, Francis, and Roderick; sister-in-law, Peggy MacKinnon and brothers-in law, Bill Genereux and Edward MacGillivary.
Visitation will be held 7-9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13 and 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 14 in Morrison Hall, St. F.X. Campus. A vigil service will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday, August 14 at St. F.X. Chapel. Funeral mass will be held 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 15 at St. F.X Chapel, Bishop Brian Dunn officiating. A reception following mass will be held in Morrison Hall.
Burial will take place Tuesday, Aug. 16 at 11 a.m. in Mount Carmel Cemetery, New Waterford.
In keeping with Father Alex’s wishes family flowers only.
Father Alex recently created a legacy of support for future Coady participants, through the establishment of an endowed scholarship fund. His contribution will support students who are accepted into the Coady Institute educational programs.
Gifts toward this scholarship can be made by contacting Erika Gunn at egunn@stfx.ca or by phone 902-867-5264.
www.MacIsaacs.ca.
