MacDonald, Leonard Daniel of
Mulgrave, passed away with his family by his side at St.
Martha’s Regional Hospital on Wednesday, October 6, 2021 at
the age of 72.
Leonard was the 3rd of 15 children
born to Daniel (Danny Ossie) & Pearl MacDonald (Bouchie). He
is survived by his wife of 52 years, Anne (Crossman) MacDonald, their
children, Karen MacDonald, Kim (MacDonald) Ayre (Ian) and Sarah
MacDonald, as well as 8 grandchildren; Katheresa, Will, Kiara, Oliver,
Albert, Edward, Wyatt and Charlie. He was a loving brother to Lloyd
(Penny), Ralph (Carolyn), Elaine (Billy), Hilda, Kenny (Melanie),
Patricia (Lloyd), Donna (Dave), Dan (Carol). He is also survived by
brother-in law Errol Young and sisters in law, Susan Boddington and
Dora MacDonald, many nieces and nephews, his extended Crossman family
and Greg DeCoste who was like a son to him.
Leonard was predeceased by his parents, Daniel and Pearl
MacDonald, brothers Lawrence, David, Robert, Howard and Earle, sister
Lorna, nephew Claude and niece Marie.
For 50 years, he worked as a journeyed Insulation Mechanic
and was a proud member of Locals 116 & 110 of the
International Association of Heat & Frost Insulators. Lenny
was a respected tradesman and a mentor to many young apprentices. His
work took him to major industrial sites in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick,
Ontario and Alberta where he made many life-long
friends.
Leonard was a proud Mulgraver who gave back through service
to his community, and church as a municipal politician and volunteer.
He was the Mayor of Mulgrave for six consecutive terms, making him the
longest serving Mayor of the town. He was an optimist and a strong
advocator for small town Nova Scotia. His passion, vision, and
leadership lead to significant impacts in education, economic
development and community enrichment in Mulgrave and the Strait Area.
Highlights of his accomplishments include contributions to the
following boards and commissions: Towns Caucus of Nova Scotia, Mayors
& Wardens Committee, Cape Breton Growth Fund / Oil and Gas
Advisory Committee, Sable Community Advisory Committee, Director of
the Mulgrave Superport Corporation, Founding Member of the Mulgrave
Industrial Commission, Founding Member of the Strait Regional
Development Commission, and Chairman of the Guysborough County
District School Board. Three of his proudest memories were telling his
mom that he had become Mayor, serving on Town Council with his wife
Anne, and depositing $10.2 million dollars of Federal funding in the
Mulgrave Credit Union as the Chairman of the Mulgrave Superport
Corporation.
For fifteen years, Leonard and his wife Anne owned and
operated A&L Variety, a small grocery store on Main Street
Mulgrave that specialized in ship chandelling, a Sears Outlet and a
Recycling Depot. He welcomed everyone with a warm
smile.
Leonard loved sports. He played left field with the Mulgrave
Tenpenny’s, umpired fast pitch at the provincial and eastern
Canadian levels and was the Umpire and Chief for the Highland Region.
The crowds revelled in Lenny’s calls, sometimes to the great
dismay of his brothers (Rob the Heater) on the pitcher’s
mound and Dan at second base. He always looked forward to a cold
Keith’s while cheering for his favorite teams, the Leafs,
Jays and Patriots.
Leonard had an attitude based on hope and sought comfort in
family and community. He was a natural conversationalist known for his
wisdom and was always eager to talk sports, debate politics and share
a story. His random acts of kindness were endless. He never passed a
hitchhiker and made many connections through his ability to make
anyone he met feel at home in his presence. As a husband, father and
Grampy, he exemplified unconditional love. He taught his children and
grandchildren to see the world through a lens of compassion and
kindness. We are so proud that he was our dad and friend. He will be
remembered by many of our childhood friends as the dad who drove the
orange Lada to Saturday morning skates, swims and class ski trips to
Keppoch. His generosity and big heart made him a loyal friend, an
honorary Alberta Grampy and trusted confidant to those close to
him.
Everywhere he went, Leonard made it known that his greatest
legacy is his grandchildren. He believed in each
of them. He did everything he could to help them live the best life
possible and applauded their individual personalities. Grampy taught
them that in his eyes, there were no failings, only learnings. If it
was important to his grandchildren, then it was important to Grampy.
He taught them to drive, pour a beer with just the right amount of
head, dive into the deep end, took them on road trips, hosted them at
their favorite restaurants and pubs, cheered for them at their
sporting events, shared his tools, and celebrated their milestones. He
was the cool Grampy that zip lined, tidal bore rafted, belly slid
through waterslides, tended the garden, danced like no one was
watching, and sang to the band. Supporting their dreams, giving them
advice, always having their backs and sharing his life with them,
filled his heart with so much love, joy and pride. He was their
Grampy, their friend, their super- hero.
“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal. Love leaves a
memory no one can steal”. Leonard will be profoundly missed as a
loving husband and father, a supportive brother, and the
world’s best Grampy. Even in his hardest hours as he fought
Asbestosis, he was an example of courage, bravery and selflessness.
His strength will live on in all who loved him.
The family gives heartfelt thanks to the incredible health
care team at 4-D, Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Dr. Glenn Gallivan,
the doctors and nurses at Palliative Care, St. Martha’s
Regional Hospital and Doctor Melenka, Nurse Linda Henderson and their
team at the Synergy Wellness Centre, Edmonton.
Visitation will take place on Tuesday, October 12 from 2-4
and 6-9 p.m. in the Mulgrave Resting and Area Place. A Celebration of
Life will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, October 13 in St. Lawrence
Roman Catholic Church, Mulgrave. Reception to follow at the Mulgrave
Fire Hall.
Donations in memory of Leonard may be made to the Nova Scotia
Lung Association or the St. Lawrence Cemetery Fund.
Please note: There are currently no
gathering limits under the Provincial Covid Guidelines, but you are
required to wear a mask and confirm
vaccination.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Leonard Daniel MacDonald 1949 2021..
Dennis Haverstocks funeral homes
Death notice for the town of: Guysborough, Province: Nova Scotia