Obituary of John Paul MacDonald

John “the Twin” MacDonald, 79, of West Bay Road. It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend who passed away on April 4, 2025. He passed away peacefully at St. Martha’s Regional Hospital surrounded by family in his final moments.  He was the son of the late Colin Francis "Collie Sandy" and the late Catherine "Katie" Belle (Cameron) MacDonald of West Bay Road.
 

He is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Anna, children, Larry (Darlene) of Fort McMurray; Paula (Ray) of Bedford; Lorna (Trevor) of Calgary, and his granddaughter whom he called the little queen, Carli; brother, Joe (Irene), West Bay Road and sister, Hughena Brewer, Halifax; sister-in-law, Alice of West Bay Road and cousin, Mickey (Anne), also of West Bay Road. He was predeceased by his sisters, Mary Siegfried, Jeanette Ross, Peggy Jardine, twin brother, Hughie, and brother, Tommy.

John worked at Stora as a welder for 34 years before retiring in 2006. There are many stories of his time working at the mill where he and his twin brother Hughie were known for their many pranks. They loved to make people laugh. The two of them got their greatest joy out of pulling the wool over people’s eyes - they sometimes pretended to be one another. Second to that was working on or driving the John Deere tractor. Not so long ago there were many hunting trips with Hughie, Marvin and Alec up on Campbell’s Mountain where the focus was more on food and drinks than it was on the hunting. He looked forward to trips to Joe’s or Mickey’s camps, either place where he could spend time with his family and friends, and usually where he was the designated cook. He enjoyed quiet nights at home with his wife watching the Canadiens or Blue Jays on his big screen tv.

He made many phone calls checking in with friends and family daily.  He was a great storyteller and when you hung up the phone you were left wondering if the story of the day was truth or fiction. It was all in good fun, and if he stumped you, mission accomplished.

For the last few years, he struggled with illness but he was not one to complain. He took each day one at a time and was grateful for the time he spent with family and his little sidekick, Muffin. He enjoyed the simple things in life – family, friends, a good laugh, eating or cooking a good meal with a cow swallow (stiff drink) in hand. He would not be happy unless visitors left full and a little (or a lot) tipsy.

The family wishes to thank the doctors and nurses of the St. Martha's Regional Hospital in Antigonish for their exceptional care and attention. Though he spent a lot of time in the hospital he never seemed to mind his stays. He enjoyed mealtimes and mostly his daily sponge baths. The Stroke Unit and Palliative Care teams showed great compassion and care for him and the family during a very difficult time.

Resting in Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home, 724 Granville St., Port Hawkesbury with visitation on Thursday, April 10^th from 2– 4 p.m. and 6 - 8 p.m. Funeral Mass will be offered Friday, April 11^th at 11 a.m. in St. Margaret’s Roman Catholic Church, West Bay Road with Father Duncan MacIsaac officiating. Burial to follow in the parish cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the St. Margaret’s Cemetery Fund in West Bay Road, St. Martha’s Palliative Care Unit, or a charity of your choice. Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at: www.haverstocks.com