Parcourez la nécrologie de Donald Blair Bob MacKinnon 1939 2025 résidant dans la province Nova Scotia pour le détail des funérailles
Donald
Blair « Bob » MacKinnon passed away Friday, January 24, 2025
at Colchester East Hants Health Centre. Born in 1939 in Springhill,
Nova Scotia, Bob was raised by his mother, Edythe, grandfather, Angus,
and stepfather, Colin, who all shaped the kind and caring man he would
become.
Bob grew
up in a time when money was scarce. At 13, he and his best friend,
Wes, pooled all their savings to buy a single pair of hockey skates.
Like true teammates, they shared the skates and somehow made it work.
Bob’s love of hockey carried him through his teenage years,
when he played on great teams and eventually earned a scholarship to
Northeastern University’s varsity hockey team in Boston in
1960.
Bob believed deeply in the
power of education. To pay his way through university, he completed a
four-year apprenticeship in painting and decorating with the Hudson
Bay Trading & Smelt Company in Flin Flon, Manitoba from 1956
to 1960. He became very skilled at his work and continued to take on
painting jobs throughout his
life.
On June 8, 1963, Bob married
Vera Howard in Springhill, Nova Scotia. Together, they built a
beautiful life. While living in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Bob earned a
BA and a B.Ed. from Acadia University. His teaching career began in
1969 at Colchester Regional Vocational School in Truro, Nova Scotia,
where he was a Communications teacher, sharing his wisdom with
countless students. Never wanting to leave any students behind, he
spent his summers teaching summer school before taking some beach days
on the North Shore with his
family.
A lifelong learner, Bob
earned his Master’s in Education during a sabbatical year at
Saint Mary’s University in 1978-79. By 1980, he became the
principal of the Vocational School, guiding it through the transition
to first become Cobetec Community College and eventually the Nova
Scotia Community College. Bob remained at the helm for 15 years until
his retirement. He had a remarkable memory for names and faces,
remembering every graduating student and their program right up until
the end of his days. He delighted in meeting former students and
hearing about their lives, always beaming with pride for their
accomplishments.
Bob enjoyed being part of
his community. He served on the Board of Stewards at First United
Church in Truro for 15 years and was a Charter Member of the Central
Nova Industry Education Council, a member of the Royal Canadian
Legion, and a lifelong member of the Masonic
Lodge.
With a heart as big as his
personality, Bob had a knack for brightening any room whether with his
tender heart or his natural ability to turn every wedding toast into a
sing-along by leading guests in a rousing rendition of « Climb
Every Mountain. »
Bob was a man of many
talents. He could square dance, jive, polka, and fox trot with flair
but also knew how to slow it down for a graceful waltz. His culinary
skills were legendary, and he was famous for his cabbage rolls, beef
stew with dumplings, lobster chowder, fishcakes, roast chicken
dinners, and his fantastic
fudge.
A lifelong hockey lover, Bob
refereed games for years and even got the occasional call-up to
officiate for the Nova Scotia Voyageurs in the mid-70s. His time in
Flin Flon also introduced him to curling, and he became a familiar
face at the Truro Curling Club, where his enthusiasm for the game even
brought his daughters to the rink, winning the Family Bonspiel in
1983. Summers, though, were reserved for the baseball field, where Bob
found joy coaching and connecting with the
players.
Family and friendship meant
everything to Bob. He especially cherished the close bond he shared
with Carol and Allan Schurman, Vera’s sister and her
husband. Bob’s guardian angel in his later years was their
dear friend Andrew Hann, whose love and dedication brought light and
warmth to their lives.
Bob faced several health
challenges in recent years, and it was his love and devotion to Vera
that kept him going. He made sure she was taken care of, right until
the end. It’s no surprise to us that the day after she was
moved into a dementia care unit, his body gave out. If
there’s a heaven, you can bet Bob is there now, enjoying a
big slice of pie with a tall glass of pop, and keeping a watchful eye
over everyone he loves.
Bob is survived by his wife,
Vera MacKinnon; his daughters, Krista Smith and Jana (Mark) Burley;
his grandchildren, Meghan Smith, Jordan Burley, and Ryder Burley; and
his sister Dorothy Lavers. He is also survived by extended family,
including many cousins, nieces and
nephews.
He is predeceased by his
mother, Edythe Willoughby; son, Michael Jeffrey MacKinnon;
grandparents, Angus and Susanna MacKinnon; step-father, Colin
Willoughby; and siblings Eleanor Kinslow, Mary Hoeg, Kit McCormick, Al
MacKinnon, Jack MacKinnon, Edwin MacKinnon and Neil
MacKinnon.
Krista and Jana extend
heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Parkland Truro, especially Connie,
Robin, and Lisa, for loving and caring for their Dad like family.
Special thanks to the VON and also to Dr. Surette and the nurses on D3
at the Colchester East Hants Health Centre for their compassionate
care in Bob’s final
days.
As per Bob’s
wishes, cremation has taken place, and a celebration of life will be
held in the Spring. Details will
follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider
contributing to a local youth sport
fundraiser.
Arrangements have been entrusted to
Mattatall – Varner Funeral Home, 55 Young Street, Truro.
Tributes, words of comfort and memories may be shared at:
www.mattatallvarnerfh.com
1939 2025
Décès pour la Ville Truro, Province Nova Scotia
avis deces Donald Blair Bob MacKinnon 1939 2025
nécrologie Donald Blair Bob MacKinnon 1939 2025
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