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Allister Ninian MacDonald, Nicholson Court, Antigonish, NS, passed away peacefully on his birthday, at the age of 89 while surrounded by family at St. Martha’s Regional Hospital, Antigonish on November 29, 2019.
He was born on November 29,1930 to the late Colin R. and Catherine (MacDougall) MacDonald of Antigonish and was raised on east Main Street. It was here that he first encountered a young nursing student from New Waterford, who, in a few years, became his wife. Allister and Velma went on to raise their five children on East Main.
Allister was a pillar in the construction industry in Nova Scotia. He started his career working for his father at Colin R MacDonald LTD. Allister and his brother, Colin (Junior) MacDonald, took over the company and ran it for 50 years. He then went on to start ALVA Construction with his sons, where he continued to work, well into his 80’s. He built many roads, wharfs, and bridges throughout Nova Scotia. Allister was respected in the construction industry by his peers and especially the employees who worked with him. In 2013, he was presented with an Honorary Membership by the Nova Scotia Road Builders Association for his reputation for skill, integrity and responsibility to the road building industry throughout his career. Allister also was a keen follower of politics, particularly the Liberal Party, who he supported all his life and was more than willing to conduct a debate with supporters of any opposing party.
The most important thing in his life was his family, especially wife, Velma, his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He loved to host family and friends at his summer residence in his beloved Arisaig, the place he loved most in the world. He was also well known for his Christmas Eve chowder.
Papa, as he was known in later years, was fortunate to have numerous loves in his life: Velma, family, Arisaig sunsets, drives to Lakevale, gardening, preparing and eating food, being “The Boss” and his favourite driving companion, his Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Lily.
Allister is survived by his wife of 64 years, Velma (Bates); children; Colin (Denise), Creignish; Catherine (Duncan) Chisholm; AG (Collette); Terese (Al) Tracey; Allan (Bonnie) all of Antigonish, grandchildren, Chelsy (Randy) MacEachern, Christie and Allister MacDonald; Terese, Allison, Kate and RD Chisholm; Morgan, Connor, Emma and Marcus MacDonald; Grant, Caralena,and Patti-Anne Tracey; Cynthia, Bryce, and Julia MacDonald; great grandchildren, Rory and Tessa; sisters Kathleen (Joe) MacDonald, Montreal; Joan (Purnell) Choppin, Washington, DC; daughter-in-law, Madonna MacFarlane; and sister-in-law, Ellen. Besides his parents he was predeceased by brother, Colin R MacDonald Jr., and sister, Marion MacDonald.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 1 from 2-4 and 7-9 pm in MacIsaac Funeral Home, 61 Pleasant Street. Funeral Mass Monday, December 2, 2:00 pm in St. Ninian Cathedral, Rev. Peter MacDonald presiding. Burial in St. Margaret of Scotland Cemetery, Arisaig. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Ninian St. Vincent de Paul or VON Antigonish. www. MacIsaacs.ca
And in the singing words of Papa, “A-men, A-men, A-men, Amen, Amen.”
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