MacDOUGALL, ROBERT LLOYD - Robert's four year battle with cancer has ended, he took his final breaths Wednesday morning, December 14, 2011 with his dearly loved wife and life partner, Hope (McDonald), by his side. Robert was born and raised in Saint John, NB to his wonderful parents Betty and Lloyd MacDougall. As a young child and as an adult, Robert loved all his memorable trips to his homestead in Bloomfield, PEI. After studying at the New Brunswick School of Technology in 1969, Robert, a career hair stylist moved to Toronto from his native New Brunswick. While there, he studied with renowned coiffeur Christopher Beacom, until making his final professional move to Halifax. For 42 years he cut and styled hair, most of that time (34 years) in his shop, London Hair Design, prominently located at the upstairs corner of South Park Street and Spring Garden Road. It was there that Robert worked with and championed many of Halifax and Canada's finest stylists, but in 2009 he was forced by illness to lock the door to his much loved studio in order to devote all his attention to fighting his illness. It marked the end of a brilliant 42 year career. A diverse and appreciative clientele noted with sadness the passing of his special shop a Halifax success story. The two defining pillars of Robert's too brief life were love and friendship. Paramount was his love for his dear wife, his adored partner Hope, who gave him immeasurable comfort and pleasure. Many were proud to call Robert their friend, but no one filled that special place for him more aptly than did his oldest and dearest friend Daryl Gunter. Classically illustrating the idea of brothers of separate mothers, they met and bonded while studying to be hair stylists. Besides his dear wife Hope, Robert is mourned by his loving sisters, Margie Rickett (Tony) and Cindy Turner (Bud) , his nieces Brittany Rickett-Nadeau (Adrian), Robin Turner, great-niece Lily Ricket-Nadeau, his nephew Mackenzie Turner and great-nephew Forrest Rickett-Nadeau all of Saint John and Kinston Peninsula, NB. He also leaves behind several aunts, uncles and cousins in NB, PEI and ON. He was predeceased by his parents, Betty and Lloyd MacDougall, who taught him to be fair, kind, generous, and to be a man of integrity, but to always trust himself and have fun. While fighting for his life all that knew Robert or came to know him through his lengthy treatments, mentioned the remarkable courage and determination he demonstrated. Against great odds Robert fought until he could fight no more. He lived with his illness for years confounding professional expectations, defying the odds again and again, and then at the end he went quietly without a sound, with his love's head next to his own.
A celebration of Robert's life will take place on Wednesday, January 25, 2012, the day of his birth from 7 to 9pm in Cruikshank's Funeral Home, 2666 Windsor Street, Halifax. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Association. To view or place an online message of condolence please visit www.cruikshankhalifaxfuneralhome.com