Daniel MACDONALD

MACDONALD, Daniel "Danny" Daniel Wilfred MacDonald passed away unexpectedly at The Saint John Regional Hospital on February 19th 2021. He is predeceased by his beloved wife of 52 years Theresa (MacDougall), his brothers Joe (The Post) MacDonald, Alan MacDonald, and his parents Wilfred and Mary-Ann (McIntyre) MacDonald. He is survived by his children Sharon (David) Esler, Paul (Jane) MacDonald, and Jo-Anne (Robert) MacDonald, his beloved sister Mena MacDonald, his best friend and brother-in-law Mel MacDougall (Fran), and his cherished grandchildren Jacob Boyle, Jack Esler, and Bridget Esler. Danny leaves behind countless friends from the many communities in which he lived over the course of his life - Tracadie, Souris, Summerside, Moncton, Saint John, Sussex, and Charlottetown. In these past few years, since returning to PEI, he has been embraced by a group of friends who provided a cushion of love and support that he very much needed. This special group included Mel and Fran MacDougall who were devoted to him and helped fill the void left behind by Theresa’s death; his big sister and caleigh companion, Mena MacDonald, who he held in such high regard and who helped raise his spirits with her keen sense of humour; his many nieces and nephews (and their kids) who were at the ready to hang pictures, move furniture, deliver lobsters, make dinners, and fill prescriptions; his cherished friend Roddy MacDonald who was such good company and even convinced him to start playing cards, Bill Grant and Pauline Sherren-Grant who started out as landlords and quickly became special friends who were always looking out for him; and “The Harley Street Boys”who filled his last years with so much laughter and fun. These same friends and family would surely say that Danny brought so much to their lives as well. He had a special way of bringing people together, and music was his favourite way to create community. Danny was often at the piano accompanying a fiddler or leading a singsong. He had a natural gift for turning a gathering into a party just by sitting at the piano and starting to play, something he was still doing just weeks before his death. Danny’s ability to bring people together extended to his lifelong dedication to community service, and he left his mark on every community that he ever called home. He belonged to a number of service groups throughout his life, including being a lifelong member of The Knights of Columbus. He very often took on leadership roles in these organizations, facilitating the completion of many notable projects that made life better for countless people in need. If Danny was at the helm, people came together, and important work got done. His ability to listen and treat people with fairness garnered him the respect of customers and colleagues alike during his long and successful career with The Cooperators Insurance Company. Above all else Danny was a devoted husband and father who worked hard to provide for his family, but also gave generously of his time and attention. Together with Theresa, he supported his children in their various pursuits and beamed with pride as he watched them grow up and create lives of their own. Danny’s was a well-lived life, characterized by a balance of hard work, good fun, and a deep connection to people - a life of meaning and purpose that will serve as inspiration for all those who were lucky enough to know and love him. He will be deeply missed but never forgotten. Please think of him whenever you hear the beautiful ballad “Danny Boy” - he would like that. A private (invitation only) funeral mass will take place at St. Pius X Church on Friday, February 26th, 2021. There will be no viewing.