Obituary of Malcolm MacDonell

Reverend Malcolm MacDonell died at St. Martha’s Hospital, Antigonish, July 25, 2015. An exemplary priest and academic of the Diocese of Antigonish, Father MacDonell was born January 15, 1919 in Hillsdale, Inverness County, son of the late William and Sarah (MacEachern) MacDonell. He received his early education at St. Ninian School and Port Hood Academy before enrolling at St. F.X. University from which he graduated with honors in 1938. Father MacDonell received his theological training at St. Basil Seminary, Toronto, and was ordained there on May 26, 1945, by Most Reverend Ildebrando Antoniutti, Apostolic Delegate to Canada. Father MacDonell was awarded a Master of Arts degree from the University of Toronto in 1945 and later did further studies at Queen’s University and the Pontifical Institute of Medieval Studies. In 1959 he combined post graduate work with an appointment as Rector of St. Pius X Seminary in Ottawa. His tenure as a teacher and administrator at St. F.X. University, however, was where his ministry as a priest was exercised to the fullest. He joined the faculty of the University after his ordination as a member of the history department and taught until 1964 when he was appointed Dean of Arts. Over the years he had combined his teaching with assignments as Alumni Director, Dean of Men, and Spiritual Director. As Dean of Arts he was instrumental in bringing about curriculum changes in the Faculty of Arts, making the program a more flexible and adaptable curriculum. In 1970, Father MacDonell was appointed President of St. F.X. University and remained in that position for eight years. He led the University through some of the most difficult years in its history when student dissent disrupted the campus, and when government economics made grants to universities more difficult to acquire. His personal relationship with students, parents, staff and visitors helped to maintain and enhance the University’s reputation for warm hospitality and personal interest in staff and students. He was the essence of what St. F.X. stands for and a staunch advocate of "whatsoever things are true". He received much recognition from both the secular world and the academic community. He was one of only two Churchmen appointed by the Federal Government to the Canadian Centennial Conference; was chairman of the Association of Atlantic Universities; was a founding member of the Canadian Human Rights Commission. He was a recipient of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal, was awarded Doctor of Laws Degrees from St. Thomas, St. F.X. and Memorial Universities and a Doctor of Letters Degree from University College of Cape Breton. Throughout his life Father MacDonell maintained a love for and interest in the Gaelic language- the medium of some of his finest and most humorous oratory. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his brother Alex; sister, Annie Gillis, and two brothers in infancy. He is survived by four sisters: Sister Margaret, C.N.D. Sydney, Mary Boyd, Jessie Murphy, Elizabeth, all of Michigan; sister-in-law, Theresa, Judique, and numerous dearly loved nieces and nephews. Visitation at Morrison Hall, St. F.X. Wednesday, July 29, from 1:00-4:00 p.m., and at St. Andrew’s Church, Judique, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, July 30, with Bishop Brian Dunn presiding with Diocesan clergy concelebrating. Burial in the Parish Cemetery.