On Wednesday, September 9, 2015, with heavy hearts we said goodbye to our loving father, husband, grandfather, brother and friend, Albert. Albert died peacefully surrounded by his family in the Inverness Consolidated Memorial Hospital Palliative Care, Inverness, Nova Scotia. Born February 19, 1928, he was the son of Margaret (MacPherson) and John Angus "Johnny Allan Ian" MacDonald. He was predeceased by his parents, and first wife, Cecilia (MacDonald), as well as older brother, A.D. and younger sisters, Margaret (Visser) and Catherine (Bannister) and brother-in-law, Teddy Visser. Albert attended elementary school in Little Judique Ponds and Judique High School. He went on to study at Saint Francis Xavier University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Education with honours in 1951. While in high school and university he worked with his father (The Four MacDonald’s - Johnny, Allan R., Willie and Danny) in building breakwaters and wharves in the area. Upon graduating from St. F. X. he began his short teaching career, however, he realized his career would be more fulfilling working with the four MacDonald’s which lead to the creation of Albert J. MacDonald Construction. His love for sports came at an early age with his love for hockey (The Judique Flyers), baseball and harness racing. There was nothing he liked better as a young man than a Sunday afternoon softball game on the farm or a competitive game of hockey on Allan Ian Pond. His passion for horse racing encouraged him to build a half-mile race track on his father’s farm where many horses were raised and trained to become some of Nova Scotia’s best such as Jack’s Frisco. Over the years he continued his passion with harness racing and was part owner of several horses. He was a proud sponsor and supporter of the local arenas and teams especially the Cape Breton West Islander major midgets. Over the years he travelled throughout the Maritimes bringing his five boys and many of their team mates to various hockey tournaments. His love of sports was evident in his presence at various events not only for his children and their friends, but also his grandchildren. The Chamber of Commerce in Port Hawkesbury awarded him the Jack Hartery Lifetime Business Achievement award. He was also recognized for his volunteerism at the Al MacInnis Sports Centre. Albert was an invited guest when Allan MacInnis was inducted into The Hockey Hall of Fame. He was a major donor to the Inverness Consolidated Hospital Capital Campaign, his alma mater and a willing donor to many charities. Albert is survived by his wife, Jeanette (Beaton); sons, Brian, Maryville, Kevin (Lorraine) and Grant (Beverly), Wetaskiwin, AB; Darryl (Leigh) Little Judique Ponds; and Brad (Liz) Middle Sackville. Stepchildren, Jacquline (Jeffrey) Bertram, Dallas, TX; David (Colleen) LeFort, Torbay, NFLD; Lisa (Anthony) Beaton, Waterdown, ON. Grandchildren, Amber, Michael, Brian, Molly, Jaymee, Cole, Jasmyn, Ryan, Taylor, Hannah, Catherine, Celia, Jacob, Jane, Myah, Laura, and Kate and great-grandchild, Emma. Step-grandchildren, Brandon, Mykaela, Alexander, Dylan, Michael and Maggie. Brothers, Donald Roddie (Sylvia), Billy (Monica), Joe (Elain), Harold (Coleen) and sister, Katie Ellen (Charlie) Nedder. Brothers-in-law, Ernie Bannister, John (Marion); Stanley (Margie); Finley Roddie (Josie). Sisters-in-law, Leona; Evelyn (Jim Dan) MacDonald, Joanie Burke; Anna Marie (John) Langley; M.C. (Lawrence) MacDonald; Claire (Gerard) Beaton; Martha (A.J.) Rankin; and Marie Cooke, as well as many nieces and nephews. The outpouring of sympathy and condolences on social media, written notes and telephone messages has captured the very essence of Albert and brought comfort to our family. Albert’s remains will rest in Port Hood Resting Place Saturday, September 12th and Sunday, September 13th from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. with funeral to be held on Monday, September 14th at 11 a.m. in St. Peter’s Church, Port Hood, N.S., with Father Duncan MacIsaac officiating. Burial in the parish cemetery. Donations in Albert’s memory may be made to the Central Inverness Palliative Care or other charity of your choice. The funeral is under the direction of Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home, Port Hawkesbury. Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at www.haverstocks.com "He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much; Who has enjoyed the trust of pure women, the respect of intelligent men and the love of little children; Who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; Who has never lacked appreciation of Earth’s beauty or failed to express it; Who has left the world better than he found it; Whether an improved poppy, a perfect poem (The Owl and the Pussycat) or a rescued soul; Who has always looked for the best in others and given them the best he had; Whose life was an inspiration; Whose memory a benediction." – Bessy A. Stanley Visitation Information Visitation Sat. September 12 and Sun. September 13 Visitation Time 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Sat. and Sun. Visitation Location Port Hood and Area Resting Place Service Information Service Date Monday, September 14, 2015 Service Time 11 a.m. Service Location St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church, Port Hood Burial Information Burial Date Monday, September 14, 2015 Burial Time Following funeral mass Burial Location St. Peter's Parish Cemetery, Port Hood