Grant Valentine MacDonnell
1944-2019
It is with heavy hearts that we
announce the death of Grant MacDonnell, age 75, who passed away
peacefully on May 10th, 2019, after a brief
illness.
Born on April 17th, 1944 to the late
Ella Mae (Grant) and Colin V. MacDonell, Grant went on to become a
proud graduate of St. Mary’s University with both a Bachelor
of Arts and Bachelor of Education degree. He enjoyed a long
career in education at the Nova Scotia Community College and made a
lasting impact on his students and colleagues. Upon
retirement, Grant threw himself into his small business, MacDonnell
Wood Fuels, and took great pleasure in working outdoors and visiting
with his customers. Grant was the past President of the
Antigonish Liberal Association and reveled in talking politics and
reading history. Always curious and outgoing, Grant took up
Gaelic classes, enjoyed playing the guitar, loved fiddle music, card
games, and dances. With a sharp wit and a dry humour, Grant
could turn any gathering into an entertaining one. Grant was
a proud father and devoted grandfather. He instilled a love
of music, sports, conversation, education, and a reverence for nature
into his children. He found total joy in his grandchildren and spent
endless hours at the rink, showering them with treats, playing games,
and reading stories.
He is survived by his loving wife,
Veronica MacGillivary; his children, Claire, Joseph, Maggie (Dullah),
and John (Jacqueline); the mother of his children Aurelia (Chiasson)
MacDonnell; his step-children Vernon (Rose) MacGillivary; Michelle
(Blaise) Dobbin; Tara (Duane) Arsenault; Ryan (Jaymie) MacGillivary;
his grandchildren, Lucassie, Maggie Mae, Zelabella, and one more
expected grandchild; his 11 step grandchildren; sisters, Anna Hyde and
Sr. Margie MacDonell; sister-in-law, Catherine (Kevin) Bonvie; niece
and nephew, Alanna Russell and Michael Hyde and their
families.
Grant was pre-deceased by his
brother, Danny, and brother-in-law, Max Hyde.
At Grant’s request, there
will be no visitation, but a Memorial Mass will be held at St.
Ninian’s Cathedral on Saturday, May
18th, 2019 at 11 AM with Rev. Donald
MacGillivray presiding. Burial to follow at St.
Ninian’s Cemetery.
The family extends sincere gratitude
to Dr. Sarah Fraser, Dr. Jane Anne Howard, and the nursing staff of
the Palliative Care Unit at St. Martha’s Regional
Hospital.
Memorial donations may be made to the
St. Martha’s Regional Hospital Foundation or the Cape Breton Cancer
Centre.
Funeral arrangements are under the
direction of C.L. Curry Funeral Home, 135 College Street,
Antigonish. Online condolences:
www.clcurry.com
Click here to View Condolences
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Grant Valentine MacDonnell 19442019..
Décès pour la Ville: Antigonish, Province: Nova Scotia