Obituary Overview
Howard Roy MacDonald
Howard Roy MacDonald, 78, of Dartmouth, passed away peacefully with family by his side on Thursday, 23rd November, 2017.
Howard was born on February 12, 1939 in Montreal. He was raised in Antigonish, the eldest of Muriel (Brocklehurst) and Alexander MacDonald’s eight children.
Howard taught his children the value of education and inspired them through his own love of learning. He graduated from St FX in 1959 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Upon graduation, Howard began a career in radio and television in Sydney at CJCB TV. After several years in broadcasting, he returned to university. He graduated in 1962 with a BEd at St FX. After graduation, he moved to Dartmouth to pursue a career in teaching. Howard made Dartmouth his home for the next 54 years! He began a 32 year vocation at Dartmouth High School. Many former students would remember his unconventional and sometimes humorous approach to learning. He both joins and leaves behind many friends from his years at Dartmouth High. While teaching, he continued his own education, pursuing his Masters in English and Education at Saint Mary’s University in 1978.
In 1963 he met the love of his life, Esther (McNeil) in Halifax at the Jubilee Dance hall. They filled their little green house at the top of Thistle Street with 8 children who were his absolute pride and joy. They also spent many wonderful summers with their children at their cottage in Lakevale, Antigonish. When at the cottage with his kids, he spent many happy, special times with his dad, brothers, sisters, cousins and nieces and nephews. Even in his last years, summertime at ‘the beach’ brought him great joy.
After retiring, he and Esther and their youngest children enjoyed traveling through Europe , which formed the background for his novel, “a Brad Abroad” published in 2010, dedicated to Esther.
After Esther died in 2007, Howard turned to family, friends, and many hobbies and pastimes to fill an enormous void. He remained at Thistle Street with the caring company of his youngest son, Brad, until 2016, when he moved to Bradford Hall, Parkland. He was supported in his final year by the caring nurses and staff there. By this time, many of his children were living all the world over! Daughter Lidia and son Brad were never far away, and visited him often. In spite of Howard’s increasing frailty and mild dementia, these final months were often joyful and fun.
Just a month before he passed, all eight of his children travelled from around the world for a family reunion. During this visit, he was mentally sharp, full of energy, witty and feeling well. This visit left his children with some wonderful, lasting memories.
Howard was predeceased by his wife, Mary Esther (McNeil) MacDonald, his parents (Alexander and Muriel) his beloved Aunt Ethel, and his beautiful niece Jennifer. He is survived by his eight children: Lillian (Philip Hanna) of Maidenhead, England, Elizabeth (Graham MacNeil) of Rothesay NB, Lidia (Bryan MacLean) of Hammonds Plains NS, Stacey (Trevor MacPherson) of Pleasantville CA, Tracey MacDonald of Los Angeles CA, Heather Grace (Jack Casey) of Wellington New Zealand, Mark of Saskatoon SA and Bradford of Halifax NS. He is survived by three brothers and four sisters: Germaine (late Eugene) Silver, Mona (Mike) Cillis, Martin (Penny) MacDonald, Flora Ann McFadyen, Rod (Anne Marie) MacDonald, Owen (Greta) MacDonald, Hilda (Rick) Urbanowich. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins. Howard was also a grandfather known affectionately as ‘Lawnmower Papa’ to eleven grandchildren Samantha, Nicole, Avery, Halleigh, Luke, Max, Erin, Summer, Charlotte (CJ), Francine (Frankie), and Matteo.
Visitation will be held at the Atlantic Funeral Home at 771 Main Street in Dartmouth on Sunday November 26th from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm. Funeral will be held at St. Peters Church, Maple St., Dartmouth at 11am on Monday the 27th of November with reception to follow at Atlantic Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers please feel free to make a donation to the charity of your choice. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.atlanticfuneralhomes.com (Dartmouth Chapel)

Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Howard Roy MacDonald 2017.source

Décès pour la Ville: Dartmouth, Province: Nova Scotia

avis deces Howard Roy MacDonald 2017- avis mortuaire Howard Roy MacDonald 2017