Gordon Lawrence MacMaster passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 7, 2024 at Strait-Richmond Hospital. Born in New Waterford, he was the youngest son of the late Mary (Currie) and Duncan MacMaster. Gordon is survived by the love of his life of 62 years, Pauline (Petrie) and their four children; Laura (Shaun Butler), Gordon (Katherine - deceased), Frank (Jacqueline), and Duncan. He took great joy being Papa to his eight grandchildren: Connor, Hannah, Mhairi, Frances, Rory, Ronan, Ryanne and Jack. He is survived by his sister Agatha Piper and numerous nieces and nephews.

While studying at the seminary, he was advised he was meant to serve the community, but in a way more suited to his temperament. After time trying his hand at various occupations, including a term in the Air Force, he found his true calling within the Nova Scotia provincial government in the Social Services department. He established and was the inaugural Executive Director of the Children’s Aid Society of Inverness-Richmond in 1981 - the first incorporated in the province in 50 years. He ended his career as Regional Administrator of the Western Region when he retired in 1995.

Gordon’s impact on his family and his community can best be described as a constellation of thousands of touchpoints. He was a powerful advocate for the well being of children and families. He often had to make difficult choices, always fought the good fight, and tried to make things “just a bit better”. Many talents got their start with the Cash Crusade for Kids. He always thought it was the small breaks in life that mattered most and helped whenever he could. 

He reveled in regaling an audience with stories of his New Waterford upbringing, jokes, debates, and singing along with inconsistent tonality to his favorite music. He always liked a great boxing match, summer construction projects of questionable engineering, and devouring history texts.  

Gordon was predeceased by sisters Katherine MacIsaac, Margaret Maclean, Perpetua MacEachern, Jean Cooke, Edithanne Calder and Carolee Yorke, and brothers Erwin, Elmer, Carl, Russell, Alonzo and Duncan. 

The family would like to thank the staff of the Strait-Richmond Hospital for all their kindness and compassionate care.

Funeral Mass will be held at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia on Monday, March 11, 2024 at 10:00 AM. A reception will follow in the Parish Hall immediately after. 

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Strait-Richmond Palliative Care Society or the St. Joseph’s Parish Cemetery Fund will be appreciated. Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at www.haverstocks.com