Obituary of Ronald Joseph Dunn

Ronald Joseph Dunn, of Harbour Center, Antigonish County, died on Saturday, January 27, 2018, at the Victoria General Hospital, in Halifax. He was predeceased by his father, Ronald Joseph Dunn (Trenton, Pictou County, NS), and mother, Florence Gertrude (nee MacLellan) Dunn (Fairmont, Antigonish County. NS) and his sister, Catherine (nee Dunn) Dec (Worcester, Massachusetts). Ronald was born in the old Aberdeen Hospital, in New Glasgow, NS, on November 9, 1942. He often spoke of his father’s people, from Trenton, and the fond memories he had of them during his early childhood in Trenton. The "old house" in Fairmont was very close to his heart, being the MacLellan homestead. Part of his childhood and teenage years were spent in Arlington/Belmont Massachusetts. He graduated from North Cambridge Catholic High School, in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1959, then returned to NS where he attended and graduated from the Nova Scotia Institute of Technology, in Halifax, specializing in automotive mechanics, He was then employed at the Eastern Auto, at the beginning of his career as a mechanic, then moved on to Goodwear/Crown Tire, where he spent the remainder of his working years. Ronald is survived by his only child/devoted daughter, Trudy Darlene Dunn who was by his bedside when he peacefully passed away. He raised her on his own, taught her to be strong and independent and helped her grow into a successful adult. Ronald is also survived by an extremely loving community of kind-hearted and generous neighbours, many valued friends and beloved relatives. Special mention to his best friend and fishing buddy, Donnie Zinck (and Margaret). Also to be mentioned is former co-worker and good friend, Wayne Grace (and Michelle). Ronald’s life was greatly enriched by all of you. He will be greatly missed by, "the cousins" (too many to mention), both local and in Massachusetts. Thank you to Gary and Jacquline, Danny and Mary, and Karen for being wonderful and caring neighbours. Ronald loved being on the water and fishing mackerel and bass in St. George’s Bay. He became quite a talented wood-worker during his golden years. He had the mind of an engineer plus the ability to construct very large and complex projects. In the 1970’s, he built an airplane, with his friend Tommy Thompson. They also designed and built a domestic solar hot water heating system, for Tommy’s house as well as the first groomer for the Keppoch Ski Hill. With the help of friends and family, he cut the trees for his home, off ancestral land, in Fairmont, then built his house on land which was once part of the Hierlihy grant. He designed and built a large cruising/fishing boat and happily launched it, in the Harbour, in 2016. Ronald enjoyed vegetable gardening. He had many pets, over the years and loved them dearly. He knows his little cat, Raven, is in loving hands and well cared for, thanks to Karen, Sean and Marcy. He spent years of his life researching his maternal and paternal ancestry. Much was discovered and many connections were made…and family trees grew. Ronald is a proud descendant of Corporal Samual Mahoney, who was one of the Hierlihy settlers who arrived here in 1783 to claim land granted to them by King George. Ronald will be cremated in Pictou County. As per his wishes, Ronald’s ashes will be buried this summer/fall amongst the original settlers in a cemetery near his current home. But first he is going to do some travelling with his daughter. Plans include a trip to the Yukon where he will climb mountains and feel the embrace of the Aurora Borealis with Trudy. He’s also being taken to Ireland to tread on the sod of his ancestors, which will make his blue Irish eyes smile. Thanks to Corinne Thompson and Mary E Macdonald (Liz), for providing support to Trudy during her father’s illness. Thank you to all the nurses at both St Martha’s Hospital and the Victoria General Hospital for their gentle care Visitation will be at MacIsaac Funeral Home, on Wednesday, January 31, 2018, from 2-4 and 7-9. Funeral mass will be officiated by Father Donald MacGillivary, at Saint Ninian’s Cathedral on Thursday, February 1, 2018, at 11AM. . Donations can be made to Cathy’s Place at St Martha’s Hospital. www.MacIsaacs.ca