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McDonald, John Percy
March 9, 1932- December 11, 2024
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of John, a well-respected, life-long dairy farmer in Melancthon Township. John died peacefully at home on his farm with family, exactly as he always wanted.
He will be greatly missed by his children, Fred (Pat) McDonald, Robert McDonald, Lois (David) Madder and Mary Jane (Bill) Bishop, his grandchildren Jason (Jocelyn) McDonald, Johnathan (Aly) Gardiner, Stacey MacTaggart, Nick (Ashlie) Bishop, Andrew Bishop and Melanie Bishop, and his great-grandchildren, Sean and Sophia McDonald and Thea and Meredith Gardiner.
John was born in Erin Township, the seventh of nine children. He lived in Erin until 1962, when he and his wife, Jessie, and their two sons moved to Melancthon to begin dairy farming. By 1967, their family grew to include three daughters. John and Jessie worked extremely hard together to, as he said, “make a go” of the farm.
After tragedy stuck in 1977 with the loss of his wife, Jessie, and again in 1978 with the loss of his daughter, Shirley, he gained strength from his family and community to keep moving forward.
John was an excellent steward of the land. He read widely and deeply about soil and crop management, and was in his element discussing everything from soil science to crop rotation, to the best phase of the moon for planting.
John poured his heart into breeding and raising an award-winning herd of registered Holsteins. With the “Cindy” family as a foundation, he researched and considered sires to improve the body type and milk production of his animals. He loved being in the barn with his gentle giants. When feeding them, he called them by name and gave each animal attention. He taught his children and grandchildren how to care for the animals, and as a leader of the 4H dairy club for, over a decade, he helped many local youth prepare and transport their calves to the fair.
He successfully showed his cattle at both the Shelburne and Orangeville fairs, and earned the distinction of Premier Breeder and Exhibitor several years in a row.
He enjoyed his involvement in local organizations that promoted and supported dairy farming. John was a member of the Dufferin County Holstein Club, where he worked his way through various executive roles to become President of the Club. John also shared his passion for the dairy industry as a 4-H Dairy Club leader, a GayLee and Gencor delegate, and as a director with the Ontario Holstein Association.
John felt that the pinnacle of his farming success was earning the designation of Master Breeder in 1991. He was grateful for the recognition of his hard work and determination. He felt that he had fulfilled the dream that he and Jessie had when they started out together.
While the decision to sell his herd in 2016 was heartbreaking, he was comforted by the knowledge that all of his cattle went to one farm. He then turned his attention to growing cash crops.
John loved to discuss all aspects of farming, and his favourite meeting place was around the kitchen table, with a cup of hot tea and some snacks (preferably oatmeal raisin cookies). Everyone who had the privilege of his company at the kitchen table will greatly miss his candid point of view and wisdom.
Friends and family will be received at the Jack & Thompson Funeral Home on Monday, December 16, 2024 from 11 a.m.-1:00 p.m. The funeral service will follow in the funeral home chapel at 1:00 p.m. Interment at Shelburne Cemetery. If desired, donations to Dufferin Dairy Club, Shepherd’s Cupboard Food Bank or the Heart & Stroke Foundation would be appreciated. Online condolences and donations may be placed at www.jackandthompsonfuneralhome.com
Wednesday December 11th 2024
Death notice for the town of: SHELBURNE, Province: Ontario
death notice John Percy McDonald Wednesday December 11th 2024
obituaries notice John Percy McDonald Wednesday December 11th 2024
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of John Percy McDonald Wednesday December 11th 2024 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
