It has been announced that horseman Donald Finley ‘Donnie’ MacDonald, of Inverness, NS, passed away on Saturday, April 29 in the QEII Halifax Infirmary, surrounded by his loving family. He was 66.
MacDonald was born in Inverness on Tuesday, November 21, 1950 and was a son of the late James Alexander and Alexina (Campbell) MacDonald.
He was a member of Stella Maris Parish in Inverness. He was known to many at ‘The Milk Man’ and fondly remembered as a fellow horseman. He loved a good joke and great conversation with his many friends around the track and in the coffee shop.
MacDonald spent several years in Ontario working in the harness racing industry where he made many life-long friends. The yellow line on the road had nothing on Donnie!
He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Gloria (Chaisson) MacDonald, his son Scott (Karen) MacDonald of Halifax, daughter Mary MacDonald of Inverness and his pride and joy – his grandsons Donald James and Cameron; siblings Sandra (George) MacLean, Ontario; Wayne (Marie) MacDonald, Inverness; Cathy (Ewen) MacEachen, Mabou; Joan (late John) MacDonald, Port Hood; Hughie (Michelle) MacDonald, Inverness; Angie (Brian) Smith, Mabou; Michelle (Alex) Dixon, Inverness; several nieces and nephews; grand nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Monday, May 1 in Inverness Funeral Home from 7 - 9 p.m. and Tuesday from 2 - 4 p.m. and 7 - 9 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, May 3 at 11 a.m. in Stella Maris Church, Inverness with Father Duncan MacIsaac officiating. Burial in the Parish Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the QEII Foundation - Cardiac Care Unit.
Online condolences may be made to: invernessfuneralhome.com.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Donnie MacDonald.
Donnie was a great friend, a
Donnie was a great friend, a big part of my family here in Ontario. So many memories.. .trucking and racing horses..he loved the road trips. Didn't matter where you finished, Donnie always said.."we'll get 'em next week bud" But that was only a small part of who he was. He loved being with his friends and family. He spoke proudly of his kids (Scott and Mary) and grandchildren (Donald James and Cameron) back home in Nova Scotia. He loved his wife Gloria and teased her endlessly about her sense of direction! Donnie was always there for my kids, loved them as his own. Took them to Inverness for 2 weeks when they were young, memories they will always cherish.It didn't matter where you were, or what time it was, Donnie was just a phone call away. I will miss you dearly bud, hard to believe I can't pick up the phone and call you.
Always friendly and happy and
Always friendly and happy and wanting to chat, is how I remember Donnie. What a nice, nice man.
R.I.P. my friend.
Donnie was there when anyone
Donnie was there when anyone needed a hand-up. He was a gentleman with a love of life and a love of a good joke. We are better for having known Donnie. My condolences to Gloria, Scott, Mary and the rest of the clan. Rest in peace Donnie, you will be missed.