Obituary of Malcolm “Vic” MacInnis

Malcolm "Vic" MacInnis died on March 12, 2023, at the age of 89, at Milford Haven Home For Special Care, imparting a final lesson — impermanence.

Born in Halifax, N.S., on May 22, 1933, Malcolm was the eldest son of Malcolm and Carmelita MacInnis and a big brother to Allan and David.

Throughout his life, Malcolm was deeply committed to the power of education to transform lives. Malcolm graduated from Sydney Academy, Universite Sainte-Anne, St. Francis Xavier University and the University of Alberta. Malcolm was a Lieutenant in the Royal Canadian Navy (RCNVR) while at university and later served in the Canadian Armed Forces, a testament to his commitment to serving his country.

As a young teacher, he was the principal of a one-room schoolhouse in Fraser's Mills and St. Andrew’s Consolidated before joining the St. F.X. Extension Department staff, where he hosted an educational television series called Peoples School which inspired many viewers. He later went on to become a Philosophy professor at St. Francis Xavier University, where he spent most of his career until his retirement.

For a time, a future in broadcasting looked promising for Malcolm. He hosted the television series Reach for the Top, then he narrowly missed out on the position of co-anchor for CTV's late-night national newscast, which was eventually filled by Peter Jennings.

Malcolm was a lifelong champion of co-operative and credit union movements. He was actively involved in many co-operative organizations, most recently President of Highland Housing Co-op in Antigonish. At the age of 29 he was elected Member of Parliament for Cape Breton South under the NDP banner, being the first ever elected MP for the New Democratic Party.

An educator deep down in his DNA, Malcolm was the kind of father who pointed his kids to a dictionary when they asked the meaning of an unfamiliar word. Still, he was eager to share knowledge with them and frequently did via pop quizzes.

He loved a good debate with friends and colleagues on a myriad of topics. Malcolm Vic enjoyed all manner of music — from Beethoven to Burt Bacharach to the Bee Gees and Barbara Streisand. He often found peace hoisting his sails on the Bras d'Or Lakes, where he spent many summer days, almost always accompanied by hidden travellers.

Malcolm is survived by his children David (Mary Chisholm), Margaret, Mark (Teresa Gillis), Paul (Liz Bland), Patricia (Steven Bass), Patrick (Angie Richardson), Brian, Adam Chisholm and his mother Ruby, along with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his granddaughter Molly, brother Allan, son Andrew, daughter Mary in infancy and mother of his children Marie “Andy”.

A funeral service to celebrate Malcolm's life will be held at 11 am, Thursday, May 4, 2023 in the St. Francis Xavier Univeristy Chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Malcolm's memory to St. Martha’s Regional Hospital Foundation or a charity of your choice.

The family sincerely thank all the caregivers of St. Martha’s Hospital, Milford Haven Home For Special Care and Dr. John Hickey for their kind and compassionate care and patience!