Sir Joseph Allan
MacDonald, LRSM, AHCM, RMT., ONB, Chev.
L.H
It is with heavy hearts and great
sadness that the family announces the passing of Joseph on Saturday,
June 3rd at Chaleur Regional Hospital, Bathurst,
NB. Joseph was born in Pictou, NS and
educated at the Stella Maris Convent School and Pictou
Academy. He served in the Royal Canadian Navy during World
War II as a radar operator and ship’s writer.
After the War, he graduated from the Halifax Conservatory of Music and
the Royal Schools of Music, London, England, in organ and
choral. He received a Masters Degree in Liturgical Music
from the Gregorian Institute and was appointed organist at Saint
Mary’s Cathedral, Halifax, NS. He was also
organist and choir director at HMCS Stadacona and a member and past
Chairman of the Royal Canadian College of Organists, Halifax
Chapter. Joseph met his future wife
Carmel White in Halifax and were married in 1959. They were blessed
with their four children John, Mary, Anne and Margaret.
Joseph was a representative of the pipe organ
building firm, Casavant Frères Ltée, operating
under the company Ledoux and MacDonald. He was a pipe organ
consultant and Professor of Organ at Mount St. Vincent University and
Holy Heart Seminary, Halifax, NS. He taught music in the Dartmouth
City Schools, and at the Halifax School for the Blind, now
APSEA. He was Organist and Choir Director at Stairs Memorial
United Church in Dartmouth, NS, where he built a 26-stop pipe
organ.
Carmel and Joseph moved to the family
farm in North Tetagouche, near Bathurst, NB in 1975. He immediately
embraced his new life as a farmer where they worked to renovate the
family farmhouse and bring a heritage apple orchard back into
production. He also accepted a position
with First United Church as Organist and Choir Director for 21 years
and following, was Organist and Choir Director at Holy Family
Church. He was the first Chair of the new District
15 English School Board in Bathurst and Treasurer of the Northern
Regional Development Council. He was a
Life Member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Herman J. Good Branch #18 in
Bathurst, Knights of Columbus 3rd Degree
member, Oblate of Saint Benedict, Honorary Member of the
Irish Canadian Cultural Association of
New Brunswick, Bathurst Chapter, and Past
Chairman Bathurst Agricultural Society
#3.
Joseph was honoured in 2007, receiving
the Order of New Brunswick the highest
honour of the Province of New Brunswick.
In 2014 he was appointed Chevalier of
Ordre National de la Légion
d’Honneur, France’s premier award,
founded by Napoleon Bonaparte to recognize eminent accomplishments of
service to
France.
Predeceased by his wife, Carmel in November 2016,
his parents, Michael and Matilda (Dadeau) MacDonald, brothers Angus,
Allan, Bernie, Jackie, and Michael and sisters Elizabeth and
Mary. He is survived by his 4 children
John(Beatrice) Halifax, Mary(Murray) Kyle Bathurst, Anne Jennings,
Bathurst and Margaret MacDonald North Tetagouche, NB, grandchildren,
Greg, Angus and Henry MacDonald, Halifax, Doug and Julia Kyle and Tim
Jennings, Bathurst, brother Dan (Nancy) MacDonald, Fox Point NS and
sister Patricia (Jerrold) Guilliams, Perryville MO, USA. Also
surviving are many nephews, nieces and cousins across Canada and the
United States.
Funeral services have been entrusted to
Elhatton’s Funeral Home, Bathurst. Wake and Vigil will be
held on Thursday, June 8th 2 – 4 pm
and 7 – 9pm and Friday from 2 p.m. until time of Funeral.
Mass of Christian Burial will take place at Holy Family Church, St
Peter’s Ave, Bathurst Friday, June
9th at 4 pm.
The family wishes to thank the doctors and care team
at Chaleur Regional Hospital, Extra Mural Care NB and Unicare Home
Health Care, Bathurst. Memorial donations can be made to Chaleur
Regional Hospital (Extra Mural Care Program), Holy Family Church,
First United Church or charity of your
choice.
Joseph lived an exemplary life, as a son, brother,
husband, father, grandfather, uncle, mentor, community leader and
friend. He is now with Mom and the Lord in heaven.
“May eternal rest be granted to him and let
perpetual light shine upon him”
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Joseph Allan MacDonald.source
avis deces Joseph Allan MacDonald- avis mortuaire Joseph Allan MacDonald