Obituary of Allan Roderick MacIsaac

Click here for Funeral Mass Video https://youtu.be/Bt9FfwacfHs

Allan Roderick MacIsaac, 85,  the “Moon” passed away peacefully in St. Martha’s Regional Hospital on April 9, 2026.  Born in Antigonish, Allan grew up in Sylvan Valley and learned the value of hard work from his parents A.B. and Peggy (MacDonald) MacIsaac.  Allan married Valerie MacGillivary from Sydney, Nova Scotia who he met while she attended St Martha’s School of Nursing. 

Allan was an entrepreneur at an early age having operated a car dealership, service stations, and eventually Silverwood Construction. His trucks were “Moon Maroon” and they could be found all over Antigonish and at construction sites across Eastern Nova Scotia. There are plenty of Antigonish and STFX landmarks that Allan was involved with in his career. Allan had a long-time crew and he treated them like family and many worked for him for many years.  

Allan was an exceptional athlete competing in hockey and football and then passed his knowledge on as a long time minor hockey coach. He was well known across the Maritime Provinces for his skill as a goaltender having played in an era where gear was minimal. There are many stories of the “MacIsaac brothers” and he shared these stories and others with his van full of players and parents each weekend while coaching over two decades. As an athlete, coach and Antigonish resident, he made lifelong friendships that allowed him to have many memorable conversations with former players, coaches, parents, or whoever was willing to talk. Dad believed that sports and being involved was important and it helped build future leaders. He was very proud of players that he coached and enjoyed hearing about their families and careers.  

He enjoyed taking his eight children and later grandchildren to arenas, ball fields, soccer fields, basketball courts and Highland Dancing and piping competitions. He was truly proud of all their academic, athletic, and musical accomplishments and would show their graduation pictures to anyone who came to visit. He had many great memories that he would share from when his children were young and would enjoy telling them more than once. Many Friday evenings were a rush of arriving home from work, hooking up the trailer to the van, and then the family would be off to a competition of some sort, setting up in a campground after arriving at a late hour.  

He was a lifelong Montreal Canadians fan, and loved to show off his framed Jean Believeau jersey that hung proudly on his wall. He was a Dance dad who made sure his daughters got to every Highland Dance competition in the Maritimes, and drove many times to competitions in Ontario and Quebec with a van filled with dancers and mothers. His motto was “If you work hard and practice hard, I will do everything I can to get you there”.   

His faith was a source of comfort and strength, and he enjoyed conversations with the parish priests behind the family home on Silverwood Drive. 

Allan spent his final years at his new home, The Maples, where he embraced his new community making many friends among residents and staff.  

He was predeceased by his parents, his wife Valerie, and his brother Aeneas. He is survived by his children Allana (Kevin Gilfoy), Shaunna (Jim Shaw), Allan Brent (Sandra Northcott), Brian (Sarah Racicot), Leanne (Andy Delorey), Bradley, Bobby (Lisy Morales), and Heather; his 14 grandchildren Erin, Allison, Brett, Heather, Andrew, Nicholas, Camryn, Keilan, Julia, Sophie, Mia, Maddax, Shainah, and Ledianys. Allan leaves behind his brothers and sisters Donnie (Murdo), Cordis (John), Alex (Rosemary), Ian (Judy), Joanne (late Lloyd) and by sister-in-law Barb.  

The family would like to thank St Martha’s Hospital, especially the Palliative Care Unit Staff and Dr Emily Rice, as well as his long time family doctor, Dr Steve Gallant.  

Visitation will be held 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm on Monday April 13 in MacIsaac Funeral Home, 61 Pleasant St, Antigonish.  Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, April 14 at 11am in StFX University Chapel. The funeral will be live streamed.  Burial will take place at a later date in St Ninian’s Parish Cemetery.  

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St Martha’s Hospital Foundation.