SOURIS, P.E.I. - Former Souris mayor David MacDonald is being remembered as a man who cared deeply for his community and for the students he taught in his previous role as a teacher.
MacDonald died in Charlottetown on Monday in his 74th year.
“He is a good man taken way too soon,’’ said Melvin Ford, a former student of MacDonald’s and a life-long friend. “I’ll always remember him as a teacher that really cared and a man who was so community-minded. (He) gave everything he could to the community and always wanted something better for you. He was a good man.’’
MacDonald served as mayor of Souris from 2009 to 2017.
Some of Ford’s fondest memories of MacDonald were from when he had him as a teacher in Grade 6.
“He was like a mentor. He always pushed you to do better. He always knew you could do better. He always wanted you to do better.
“He was the kind of guy where if you had a problem you talked to him. He shot from the hip, and if he thought you weren’t putting yourself into it, he’d tell you that.’’
Ford said he’s also known MacDonald and his wife of 46 years, Louise, his entire life. Ford was excited when MacDonald easily defeated three challengers to win the mayor’s job in 2009.
“He was the kind of guy where if you had a problem you talked to him. He shot from the hip, and if he thought you weren’t putting yourself into it, he’d tell you that.’’
-Melvin Ford
“He was a guy where his whole heart and soul was in Souris. Everything was about Souris. It was where they chose to raise their kids, where they chose to live. He was an advocate for Souris. He always believed Souris deserved more and should get more.’’
Ford said MacDonald also ventured into sports, serving as a mentor to countless athletes.
“He gave his life to umpiring and coaching and reffing and basketball and baseball and softball.’’
Ford said MacDonald was also the type of man who, if you ran into him on the street, would always take time to chat.
“It wouldn’t make a difference if he was in a rush to go somewhere, he always took a minute to say ‘Hey, how are you doing?’.’’
Ford said one of the projects MacDonald took the most pride in was the restoration of the beach and the boardwalk.
“He fought for what he believed Souris deserved, I firmly believe that. He never let Souris take a back burner to anybody. He fought for Souris, he fought for equality, he fought for things in Souris that people never thought possible. He went against the grain at times. It wasn’t always about being everybody’s favourite, it was about what he believed was the best and that’s how I see Dave.’’
MacDonald resigned as mayor in 2017 following a fiery email exchange with a resident who was complaining about glass on the beach.
“I was very disappointed when he left his mayor position because he had a lot of good in him and he always wanted the best. He stood up for what he believed in and he stood up for people he believed in and that is the way I choose to remember Dave for the rest of my life. Dave is going to be missed.’’
Later, MacDonald and his wife moved to Cornwall to be closer to family, Ford said.
MacDonald is survived by his wife, Louise, sons Jimmy (Lisa Townshend), Philip and Peter (Sara Rafferty) and daughter Heather (Chris) Stevenson. He also leaves behind three grandchildren and a sister.
MacDonald is resting at Hennessey Cutcliffe Charlottetown Funeral Home for visitation Thursday, 4-7 p.m. The funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Cornwall on Friday at 11 a.m.