Joseph « Joe » MacDonald
1928-1921
Joseph « Joe » MacDonald passed away in
Brampton, Ontario on September 22, 2021. He also spent years living in
Owen Sound and Toronto. Born in Souris, PEI on November 15, 1928, he
lived in difficult times with his family after the death of his
father, leaving home as a teen to work in the shipyards in Nova Scotia
and then traveling the seven seas as a merchant marine. He saw and
experienced the world in these adventurous travels and sent money home
to help his mother and siblings. He eventually married and had two
children, settling in Toronto and working as a steeplejack in northern
Ontario and then spending his career climbing steel and as a
boilermaker at the Texaco oil refinery in Port Credit, ON. He was a
strong union supporter throughout his career. He spent much of his
time in politics, acting as a campaign manager for a number of NDP
candidates over the years. He was involved with the party during the
time of Tommy Douglas, Donald MacDonald, Stephen Lewis and other
greats and the evolution of the CCF into the NDP. He was often the
life of any party or gathering, telling his never ending plethora of
jokes and stories – often made even better if there was a
campfire, beer and food involved. He learned to play guitar and loved
country music. A builder and a fixer, he owned enough tools and
equipment to open a hardware store. Opinionated and strong, his values
progressive and ahead of his time. He was formidable man who lived a
full and varied life.
He is survived by his children Donna
MacDonald and Wayne MacDonald, brothers Patrick Daniel MacDonald and
Joe McKenna, and many nieces and nephews: John
(« Johnny ») Gallant, Eugene Gallant, Ray Gallant,
Henry Gallant, Eric Gallant, Judy Gallant, Barbara MacDonald, David
MacDonald, Carol Giles, Joan Anderson, Chris Knockwood, Terry
MacDonald, Lisa Knockwood and Tyler Knockwood – along with
their spouses and children. He was predeceased by his parents John
James and Mary Genevieve (Delorie) MacDonald; sisters Mary Caroline
(Carrie) Gallant, Rose Ann MacDonald, Stella Margaret MacDonald, and
Priscilla Grace MacDonald and brother Anthony B. (Tony) Knockwood; and
nephews Richard (« Ricky ») Gallant, Charles Jr.
Gallant, James (« Farmer ») Knockwood and Bruce
Gallant. Joe had special caring for those who maintained close
friendships with him to the end: Peggy Ling, Brian Richley, Lorne
Andrews, Doug Sponagle, Diane and Sean Court and their son Adam. He
will be missed by many.
Joe’s wake will be held
at Hennessey Cutcliffe Funeral Home on Thursday, September 30th from
12:00 to 1:00 p.m. with funeral service to follow at 1:00 p.m. in the
funeral home chapel by invitation with COVID-19 restrictions in place.
Interment in the Roman Catholic Cemetery.
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19281921
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Joseph Joe MacDonald 19281921..
Décès pour la Ville: Charlottetown, Province: I-P-E