Gordon Wallace Macdonald

MACDONALD, Gordon Wallace Gordon “Wally” MacDonald passed away suddenly on July 1st, 2020 in Summerside, PEI. Born in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia on November 23rd, 1944, Wally was born to Alexander Joseph and Kathleen (Hillier) MacDonald. He was the second child of four, famous for devouring his mother’s apple pies. He is pre-deceased by his brother Alasdair (Jean) MacDonald of Halifax, NS, and survived by his sister Sandra (Greg) Langille of Rothesay, NB, and brother Allan (Vera) MacDonald of Bedford, Nova Scotia. Wally’s siblings and their partners were among his closest friends and confidants. Wally grew up on Air Force bases across Canada; his mother Kay was a nurse and his father AJ was a flight engineer and social worker. Wally was an exceptionally bright and adventurous child. By the time he was ten, he had proven to his parents that he had nine lives. Wally grew into a handsome young man and a gifted athlete. He attended St. Francis Xavier University for a year before he injured his knee playing varsity football. He graduated from University of Prince Edward Island (then Saint Dunstan’s) with a degree in Psychology, but it was at Saint Dunstan’s where he mastered the game of bridge and met the beautiful Helen (Callaghan) MacDonald from Miminegash, PEI. They married and completed their teaching degrees in Maine. They decided to make the Island their home. Wally and Helen were married for over 25 years and remained close friends even after their separation. Wally was the proud father of Alexis (Hayaan Osman) MacDonald of Toronto and Matthew (Michelle Uy) MacDonald of Toronto. Wally would do anything for his children – they were the light of his life. Dad was the zenith of unconditional love and generosity. He would call his “little girl” Alexis almost daily, and taught his son Matty to play and have fun in life. Amongst his kids’ friends, Wally was known for being the best dancer and telling the saltiest jokes. Wally also adored his six-year-old granddaughter Obi Uy MacDonald, whose photo was his constant screensaver. For over 30 years, with his quick mind and care-free spirit, Wally both entertained and educated (in that order) students at Kensington Intermediate Senior High School. As a Calculus teacher, he was known for being tough, but fair; he would always help out the kids who struggled. Wally was a “picker”, perusing the Island’s flea markets and the Maritimes for antiques. Amongst the Island’s community of antique dealers and auctioneers, Wally was known for his good eye, cheerfulness, and integrity. Wally just loved life. With his friends, he was happiest out on the golf course, drinking Scotch, and watching sports. He loved spending six months of the year in Dunedin, Florida at Lake Highlander. Wally’s friends were frequently treated to his haute cuisine - curried mussels were his specialty. They knew to buckle up in Wally’s Caddy. Wally was forever positive (“It’s all good!”) and one couldn’t help but feel good around him. Wally proved time and time again that he had more than nine lives. We are all still in shock that he is gone. He rarely complained – he went through chemo and radiation in his normal good cheer. He would faithfully go to dialysis at Prince County Hospital three times a week. He deeply appreciated the special care he received from the nurses. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Wally’s honour to establish a bursary for a nursing student to attend St. Francis Xavier University, where his two kids also attended. You can donate here: www.stfx.ca/alumni/ways-to-give (In the designation section called ‘Other’, please write: “For a Nursing Student” and in the ‘Memory’ section, please write: “Wally MacDonald.”) We will have a Celebration of Life later in the summer and do it in fine Wally-style. Wally had a famous greeting: “Is that you? You’re looking good!” That was him saying, “I love you!” We love you too, Wally, and miss you so, so much. Completion of funeral arrangements entrusted to Moase Funeral Home, Summerside. www.moase.ca