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, nephews Claude and Ben 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. Visitation Information Visitation Tuesday, October 12, 2021 Visitation Time 2-4 & 6-9 p.m. Visitation Location Mulgrave and Area Resting Place Service Information Service Date Wednesday, October 13, 2021 Service Time 2 p.m. Service Location St. Lawrence Roman Catholic Church, Mulgrave