Obituary of Ronald Joseph "Buddy" MacDonald, Glace Bay

It is with great sadness that we announce that Ronald Joseph ‘Buddy’ MacDonald passed away at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital on January 7, 2022, at the age of 83, with his loving wife, Rosemary, of 59 years at his side. Buddy was born in Glace Bay, the son of the late Angus (Rannie H.) MacDonald and the late Mildred (Gillis) MacDonald. He is survived by his devoted wife, Rosemary (Gillis) MacDonald, his beloved children, Donald Angus (D.A.) (Darlene) MacDonald, Ronnie (Erin) MacDonald, Rosanne (Brent) McQuaid, Jean Marie (Paul, predeceased) Trainor, Mark (Patricia) MacDonald and Mary (Greg) Callaghan, and his sister, Judy Ann and husband Stuart Donovan. Buddy’s 14 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren gave him a deep sense of pride, pleasure and joy, Liam, Sarah (Adam), Elizabeth, Matthew (Jess), Victoria, Christopher, Grace, Mary Catherine (Adam), Andrew, Peter, Thomas, Ryan, Jason and Adam, and great-grandchildren, Berkeley and Hudson. They will miss him dearly. He will also be missed by his sisters- and brothers-in-law, Jessie and Winston McMullen, Lorna and Joe MacDonald, Annette and Keith Meagher, Donald Gillis, Michael and Darlene Gillis, Paula and Ron L’Esperance and Bernard O’Neill. Buddy had many special nieces, nephews, godchildren, cousins, friends and neighbours who meant so much to him. Besides his parents, Buddy was predeceased by his parents-in-law, Dan and Mary Ann (MacDougall) Gillis, sister, Audrey MacDonald, brother-in-law, Earl MacDonald, and sisters-in-law, Margaret O’Neill and Catherine MacDonald. Buddy graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (’59), Bachelor of Education (’60) and Master of Education (’66), all from St. Francis Xavier University. He was a dedicated teacher for 34 years at St Michael’s High School and Glace Bay High School, where he enjoyed teaching chemistry and later serving as Head of the Science Department. His students respected and appreciated his calm and supportive approach to teaching. Buddy used his leadership skills as an administrator for students attending summer school. Along with his other extracurricular contributions, he was exceptionally proud of the successful St. Michael’s high school hockey team that he coached early in his teaching career. Buddy was a devout Catholic and member of St. Anne’s Parish. His faith was a very important part of his life. He enjoyed contributing to the church community through his participation in the St. Anne’s Male Choir as a member and long-time director and through his volunteer work with the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul. Throughout his lifetime Buddy was truly a community-minded person, being involved in many organizations in a variety of roles: the Savoy Theatre, the Rotary Club, the Knights of Columbus, the Atlantic Symphony and the Credit Union. For Buddy, music and singing were his gifts to give. From early childhood, he shared his voice in numerous concerts, festivals and plays, where he excelled. He had a silky smooth baritone voice that everyone enjoyed. You might have heard him in his many roles in plays and operettas or in many choirs. His love for music was a gift that he passed down to his children and grandchildren, who have very fond memories of sitting with Buddy at the piano singing old jazz or showtunes with his accompaniment. Some of Buddy’s other passions in life included woodworking, winter driving, walking and cheering for the Toronto Maple Leafs. His unwavering loyalty to the Leafs was admirable! He thoroughly enjoyed spending his summers with family and friends in Mira for over 50 years. At the heart of it, it was all about the kids and later the grandkids. Donations in memory of Buddy may be made to the The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul or a charity of your choice. Cremation has taken place under the care of V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Glace Bay. The funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday, May 28th, 2022 at 11 am in St. Anne's Church followed by a reception in the foyer. Interment in the parish cemetery. Fr. Duaine Devereaux officiating. Online condolences to the MacDonald family are available at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca