Lieutenant-Colonel John Francis Donald MacIsaac C.D., Q.C.
Lieu de naissance : Inverness, Canada
Date de naissance : 15 octobre 1920
Lieu de décès : Canada
Date de décès : 22 octobre 2015
Suddenly, on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2015 after a long, happy and accomplished life.
Born on Oct. 15, 1920 in Inverness, N.S. After the death of his father in a coal mining tragedy, his mother moved to Halifax where John grew up and later attended St. Mary’s University. At the outbreak of the Second World War, he volunteered for active service with the Canadian Army. As a gun position officer in 14th Field Regiment RCA, he crossed the English Channel on June 6, 1944 and, at approximately 0930, landed on JUNO Beach with his troop of four “Priest” self-propelled howitzers. He then fought with his regiment through France, Belgium and the Netherlands until victory was won.
Following the war, John returned to Halifax where he used his veteran’s benefits to attend Dalhousie University Law School, graduating in 1949. He re-joined the Army, as a member of the Judge Advocate General’s Branch. He served with the Canadian Infantry Brigade Group in Korea in 1952-53 and retired from the Army in 1969 after postings in Shilo, Borden, Ottawa, Germany and Winnipeg. He took up a new position in 1970 as legal advisor to the Atomic Energy Control Board. He was appointed a Queen’s Counsel for his contributions to the writing of legislation and regulations governing the use of nuclear energy. John finished his public service in the Department of Justice.
In November 2014, he was made a Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur by the French government in appreciation of his service in the campaign to liberate France.
In retirement, John remained active in his community through work in his parish and as a volunteer at the Shepherds of Good Hope Mission, sorting and packing groceries for many years. He was an avid baseball player in his youth and an enthusiastic golfer later in life and remained a dedicated fan of both throughout.
His love for Mary was boundless, as was hers for him. They were married for 61 years and together had five children and 14 grandchildren, all of whom hold fond memories of gatherings in the home they made for themselves on Sandridge Road in Rockcliffe.
John was predeceased by his father, Daniel; his mother, Mary-Ellen (MacArthur); his brother, Hugh, and, in 2011, by his beloved Mary (Power).
He is survived by his children: Jane Vanderberghe (Francis), Anne Selbie (James), Shaun (Alison), Hugh (Lisa) and Michael (Mariette); his grandchildren: Alaric and D’Arcy Vanderberghe, Elizabeth, James, and Olivia Selbie, James and Jeremy MacIsaac, Aisling and Isabella MacIsaac, Ben (Meghan), Aloise, Vanessa and Caroline MacIsaac; and by his niece, Sharon Dornbush (Charles), grand-niece Kathryn (Reddy) and grand-nephew Hugh.
A funeral mass has taken place at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, 400 St Laurent Blvd., Ottawa on Wednesday, Oct. 28th at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, friends are invited to make a memorial donation to the Perley-Rideau Veterans Heath Centre where John received such fine care.
Condolences/tributes/donations, Hulse, Playfair & McGarry www.hpmcgarry.ca 613-233-1143.
