Ian Alexander MacKinnon
Community Mourns Long Serving Fire Chief
MacKinnon Ian Alexander, 71 of Port Hastings passed away July 29, 2014 at the Strait Richmond Hospital, Evanston.
Born in Inverness on June 23, 1943 he was a son of the late Alexander A. and Elsie (nee Wagner) MacKinnon.
Ian was employed by the Nova Scotia Liquor Commission, Port Hawkesbury and retired as manager in 1994.
A lifelong member of St. David’s United Church, Port Hastings, Ian served for many years as Clerk of Session and chair of the Official Board.
Ian will forever be remembered for his dedication and passion to the Volunteer Fire Service of Nova Scotia, a founding member of The Port Hastings Volunteer Fire Department in 1963, he held all executive offices over his 51 years of dedicated service and was Fire Chief for over 31 years. Ian served as president of the Strait Area Mutual Aid Association ,was a member of the Cape Breton Fire Fighters Fraternal, the Maritime Fire Chiefs Association , the Critical Instant Stress Team and a past member of Strait Area Ground Search and Rescue.
For many years Ian traveled the quad counties as an umpire for Softball Nova Scotia and he refereed ringette.
Recognized for his dedicated service to the province of Nova Scotia, Ian was awarded the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002 and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012.
He is survived by his wife, Jane (nee Chisholm); daughter, Carolena MacPherson; his granddaughters, Kristen and Melissa MacPherson and his brother, Roy, all of Port Hastings.
Ian was predeceased by his daughter, Susan MacKinnon and sister, Annie MacLean.
Ian’s sudden passing leaves a void in our community and he will be missed by his neighbours and friends.
Resting in St. David’s United Church, Port Hastings, Thursday from 2-5 and 7-9 p.m. and Friday from 2-5 and 7:15 – 9 p.m.; from where a firefighters service will be held Friday at 6:45 p.m. Funeral service will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. from St. Joseph Church, Port Hawkesbury with Nan Corrigan DM, presiding; burial in St. David’s Cemetery with a reception to follow in the Port Hastings Fire Hall.
In lieu of flowers, memoriams to the choice of the donor, appreciated.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Green’s Funeral Home, Port Hawkesbury.
Messages to the family may be conveyed at www.greensfuneralhome.ca.
