Obituary of Kevin John MacDonald, New Waterford
KEVIN JOHN MACDONALD
Dec. 2, 1953- May 5, 2019
With deep heartbreak and much sadness we regret to announce the death of Kevin J. MacDonald,65, on Sunday, May 5, 2019.
Kevin is survived by his wife Myrna (McIsaac) and his only son,Tyler MacDonald, with whom he always had a special bond. Also surviving are his mother Leona 'Ona' MacDonald; brothers, Blair (Debbie), Sheldon (Michelle); brother-in law, Brent (Pennylou) McIsaac; sister-in-law, Shannon McIsaac. He as well leaves nephews, Jimmy McIsaac, Matthew and Blair MacDonald, and Reilly McIsaac and nieces, Dana (Michael) Nearing, Chera (Shaun) Clements, and Katie and Jessica MacDonald.
Kevin attended Central School and then Breton Education Centre and was in the first graduating class. From there he enrolled at Mount Allison University where he achieved a Bachelor of Science degree and a diploma in engineering. After Mount Allison, he attended the Technical University of Nova Scotia where he achieved a Bachelor of Civil Engineering. These were the goals he set for himself in junior high. Always a class leader, he excelled each and every step of the way.
His career as a Civil Engineer was wide and varied. It included positions at Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, G.B.; General Manager Transit Cape Breton; Director of Engineering for the former City of Sydney; Director of Engineering and Public Works for the Cape Breton Regional Municipality. While there, he had the distinction of receiving the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Excellence in Engineering on behalf of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality in relation to the water treatment facility. His last position was as CEO of the Sydney Tar Ponds Agency, a project which he was very proud to lead. Each one of the positions he took on with the mission of making a positive difference through hard work and dedication.
As well as being involved in a number of community projects, Kevin’s interests included music, playing guitar, singing, time spent ‘On the Mira’, a friendly game of tarabish, a good laugh and the company of friends. He enjoyed working with his hands and would willingly take on many projects using the skills taught to him by his father, Johnny.
He was predeceased by his father, John M. MacDonald, and in-laws, D.A. 'Spike' and Eileen McIsaac, brothers-in-law, Brine and Brad, and sister-in-law, Marsha.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 9 from 5-9 p.m. in V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 380 Smith Street, New Waterford. A funeral service will take place Friday, May 10 at 11 a.m. in the Salvation Army Citadel, King Street, New Waterford, with Majors Rocky and Janice Bishop officiating. Burial will be held in Mount Carmel Cemetery with a luncheon to follow at the Salvation Army Hall, New Waterford. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of one’s choice. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca.