Obituary of Bernard 'Bernie' MacDonald, New Waterford

Bernard (Bernie) MacDonald, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, died peacefully at home on Thursday, January 25, 2024.  He is survived by Leone, his wife of 55 years; daughters, Shauna (Gerry), Antigonish, Jennifer (Neil), Sydney, Maria (Steve), Islandview, and Jayne (Gerry), Halifax; and by grandchildren, Liam (Morgan), Isaac, Cela, Sam, Max, Tully, Lewis, Jesse, Lynden, Ivey, Finley and Winifred – who were the apples of his eye. 

Bernie was predeceased by his parents, Rannie C. and Flora (MacNeil) MacDonald and by his siblings, James, Neil, Collie, Cela, Kaye, and two siblings who died in infancy.

Born in New Waterford in 1942, Bernie was the youngest of eight children. He left home to study education, graduating with a combined B.A./B.Ed. degree and, in 1967, an M.A. in counselling from St. Francis Xavier University.  At the age of twenty-five, Bernie had found his calling. When Breton Education Centre opened in 1970, he joined the staff and worked in guidance with dedication and joy until he retired in 1998. Bernie loved his work and went above and beyond to help the young people who streamed through his office door. Never one to seek the limelight, Bernie quietly and steadily made a difference in many lives.  As co-chair of the fundraising campaign for the New Waterford Consolidated Hospital, Bernie tackled that role like he did everything else; with tenacity, kindness and a seemingly endless capacity for hard work. He also really knew how to have fun. Fiercely loyal and wickedly funny, Bernie was a friend for life to so many, all of whom loved the sheer pleasure of his company and who are now mourning his irreplaceable spirit. 

As a devoted husband, proud father, delighted grandfather and loving uncle, Bernie’s family was at the very heart of his life.  Steadfast through and through, his children and grandchildren knew they could count on him for everything from painting the house to cheering them on at the rink and the court - whether they won or lost the game. Bernie was a contented man who understood the great pleasure of small things, like blueberry picking, fishing with his grandkids, summers in Dunvegan, and sharing a laugh. But it was the company of his loved ones that gave him the greatest joy. In his last days, Bernie told his family, ‘I’m ok as long as you’re here with me.’… They were, all throughout his devoted and love-filled life. 

Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 31 from 1-3 p.m. in V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home Chapel, New Waterford, with funeral to follow immediately at 3. Father Jim Oliver officiating. Burial will be in Mount Carmel Cemetery with a reception to follow at the K.O.C., Plummer Avenue, New Waterford. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to be made to The Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation “Cancer Care Here at Home “. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca.