Parcourez la nécrologie de Tobias Francis McDonald April 30 1951 to January 24 2025 résidant dans la province T-N pour le détail des funérailles
For those unable to attend the mass for the Late Tobias McDonald at the Basilica, can view it clicking on the following link: www.thebasilica.net/live/
Tobias (Toby) Francis McDonald
April 30, 1951 – January 24, 2025
It is with profound sadness we announce the passing of a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. Toby passed peacefully away in the presence of his loving family after a long and courageous battle with cancer on January 24th.
Predeceased by his parents; Tobias (Toby) and Mary (nee Power) McDonald and his first loving wife of 35 years Shelly (nee Keough).
Toby will forever be in the heart of his devoted and loving wife; Noreen Byrne, daughter; Sarah (Tak Ishiwata), son; Mark (Michelle) along with his grandchildren; Gwenyth and Simon, his sister; Maureen (Jim Dunne), brother- in- law; Kevin Keough (Joanie), sisters-in law; Erin Keough, Sharon (Richard Boczkowski), and Willeen Keough. Toby had a large circle of nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws in the McDonald, Power, Keough and Byrne Clans, who will miss him dearly.
Also feeling a great sense of loss will be Toby’s law partner of 30 years, Susan Hounsell, and their dedicated staff, his lifelong colleagues and friends in the legal community and the local / national and international curling worlds.
Toby loved salmon, trout and tuna fishing and relished the time he spent on the Gander River with the Cooper crew. His poker buddies of over 50 years will always remember and miss him.
Toby graduated from the University of New Brunswick in 1975. He was a highly respected member of the Newfoundland Bar Association, having practised law for more than 50 years. He played a key role in the development and construction of the Law Society of Newfoundland’s Law Building and Library. He was named (Queen’s) King’s Counsel in 2004. As a former Bencher of the NL Law Society, he was the recipient of the Gordon W. Stirling Distinguished Service Award. He received an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Memorial University and was admitted into the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador in 2006.
Toby was an international figure in the curling world, being a member of the first Newfoundland team to win the Brier Canadian Men’s Championship in 1976, after which he represented Canada at the World Curling Championships in Duluth, MN. In 1998 he was awarded the Canadian National Ross Harstone Sportsmanship Trophy. In 2008 he was inducted into the prestigious Governor General’s Curling Club in Ottawa. Toby also competed in the Scrathcona Cup in Scotland in 2018. His role as Coach and mentor to Team Gushue’s 2006 Olympic Gold Medal win in Torino, Italy in 2006 was something he dearly cherished and spoke of often. Up to his passing, he was honoured to still be a mentor to “Brad” and the boys.
Toby was a kind, gentle man who “moseyed” though life with a positive outlook and a smile on his face. Toby was blessed to have a life filled with love, family, friends, music and laughter. He loved traditional Newfoundland music, he and Noreen would often go for a session at Erin’s Pub on a Friday night. His greatest strength was his outgoing, yet unassuming, personality which enabled him to develop lasting friendships with a large and diverse group of people. Once you were Toby’s friend, you knew you had a true and loyal friend. A relationship that would prevail forever.
Noreen, Sarah and Mark wholeheartedly thank Toby’s best friend, Rick Comerford, for his love, loyalty and support during this very difficult time. Words cannot describe our gratitude.
And thank you to Capital Drugs/PharmaChoice on LeMarchant Road for going over and beyond to assist Toby and Noreen navigate his medications process and to the many Doctors and Nurses at the Health Sciences Centre and the Palliative Care team at the Miller Centre.
The family will receive visitors at Carnell’s Funeral Home, located on 329 Freshwater Road from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm on Wednesday, January 29th and Thursday, January 30th.
Funeral service will be held at the Basilica-Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, located at 200 Military Rd, on Friday, January 31st at 11:00am.
A private family interment will take place at a later date.
Donations may be made in Toby’s name to a charity of one’s choice.
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April 30 1951 to January 24 2025
Décès pour la Ville St-John’s, Province T-N
avis deces Tobias Francis McDonald April 30 1951 to January 24 2025
nécrologie Tobias Francis McDonald April 30 1951 to January 24 2025
Nous offrons nos plus sincères condoléances à la famille et aux amis de Tobias Francis McDonald April 30 1951 to January 24 2025 et espérons que leur mémoire pourra être une source de réconfort pendant cette période difficile. Vos pensées et vos mots aimables sont grandement appréciés.