Malcolm Jerome, Major (Ret.) RCAF, passed away in the loving arms of his daughters at the Royal Jubilee Hospital, Victoria, BC on November 15th, 2017, after suffering a stroke.
Malcolm “Mac” or “Cuddles”, as he was affectionately known, was born in New Waterford, Nova Scotia on June 20, 1928 to Angus A. and Honora MacDonald by whom he was predeceased, as well as by his sisters Mary MacNeil (Jerome) of Halifax, Alexandra “Sandra” of Toronto, Isabel Tull of Halifax, Sr. Margaret CND of Baddeck, NS, Helen “Traz” Abbass of Waverly, NS; brother John-Hugh “Dude” (Beatrice) of New Waterford, NS; and his infant son Gerard born in 1960. He is survived by his cherished wife of 66 years Mary (nee Abbass) of Victoria; his daughters Honora Johannesen (Sigurd) of Victoria, Lillian Szpak (Robert) of Langford, BC, Ann-Marie (Alisa) of Montreal; his son John-Hugh (Mary) of Orillia, ON; grandchildren Malcolm (Sonya), Lillian (Rick), Michael (Tanya), Patrick (Bryna), Isabel, Lora, Ruth, Audrey and Henry; and great-grandchildren Declan, Connor, Theo, Gemma, Theresa, Katherine, Charlie and Dallas; as well as many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews and cousins.
Mac was the kindest, most generous, sensitive, wisest and wittiest man there ever was. A coal miner and boxer from a tough Cape Breton town, he put himself through St. Francis Xavier University while working in “the pit” and was commissioned as an officer in the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1954. He served at Namao, AB; Baden-Soellingen, Germany; Centrallia, ON; Hamilton, ON where he earned his MBA from MacMaster University; Kingston, ON where he taught at Royal Military College and Queen’s University; and Ottawa, ON where he left the military after 20 years for a sterling career with the Department of External Affairs where, during his final working years, he travelled to nearly every Canadian embassy abroad, usually with Mary – his “little dark-haired nurse” – by his side. In retirement, he devoted himself to humanitarian work with the Canadian International Demining Corps, and together with Mary served meals at the Shepherds of Good Hope soup kitchen in Ottawa. A voracious reader and keen thinker, Mac was respected, admired and much sought-after for personal and professional advice by all who knew him. He instilled in his children, grand, and great-grandchildren a sense of adventure, humour, self-reliance, respect for diversity, resiliency, and optimism, and that each were special and loved uniquely. He honored Mary with a life well-lived, full of love, adventure, romance, devotion, and dignity.
The family wishes to thank the Emergency Room staff at RJH who, along with Dr. Fred Voon, provided the kindest and most comforting care. We would also like to thank Drs. Michelle Fretz and Laura Farrell for their unfailing expert care and compassion.
A Private Funeral Mass will be held Monday, November 20th, 2017 at 1:00 pm at Mount Saint Mary Hospital, Victoria, followed by an open reception from 6 to 8 pm at the Royal Colwood Golf Club, 629 Goldstream Avenue, Victoria, BC. Interment to be announced at Beechwood Cemetery, Ottawa, in June of next year.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Mount Saint Mary Hospital, 861 Fairfield Road, Victoria, BC V8V 5A9.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
21 Responses
We are so saddened to hear about your loss. We extend our deepest sympathy to the entire family. I often think about Mary and Mac each time I go along Montreal Road near to where they used to live and wonder how they are doing. My first memories date from Centralia and their great friendship with my parents Hector and Cecila.Over the years they always maintained that connection and there was always laughter involved.
A life well lived always leaves an imprint on our hearts and I know you will all miss him deeply.
With affection,our prayers & extra hugs to Mary, Honora and Lillian.
Louise Duprey-Duval and Jacques Duval
Our sincere condolences. I worked and traveled with Mac for a number of years when he was at External Affairs and he was the best boss and teacher ever!! Rest in peace Mac!
Al and Dianne Gillette
Wanted to send condolences and hope cherished memories will bring you comfort at this difficult time. Our parents (Spike and Eileen McIsaac) spoke highly of Cuddles and Mary and we met them many years ago a couple of different times when they were visiting New Waterford and area. Growing up next door to John Hugh we were blessed to have him as a neighbour and friend. There we heard, as children, sitting on his step, many stories about his growing up and about his family.
With sincere sympathy.
Brent (Pennylou) McIsaac
Myrna (McIsaac) MacDonald
Dear Honora and Family!
My thoughts are with you and your family.
It is always sad when a loved one passes away, but he will live in the memories of those who loved him.
His wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren will often share good memories from a long life.
To live in the memories of people you loved is the best posthumous reputation you can get.
I still remember the visit to Malcolm and Mary in Ottawa many years ago.
Greetings from Kurt.
I last spoke to your father on November 11th at St Luke’s house. He was happily seated beside, Mary, the woman he loved. I will always think of him that way. He was the CO of a magnificent family who I am sure are now counting their blessings that they had him for so long. I will miss seeing him during my visits to Donna.
Russell and I were most blessed to have met Mac and Mary through the Cape Breton Club of Ottawa. We had many games of Tarabish with them and cherish those games, always men against women. What a fortunate lot you were, to have this man at the helm. He was a prince .
I was so sorry to hear of your dear father’s passing. My thoughts are with you and your family Honora at this very sad time. The obituary is beautiful and a loving tribute to a truly wonderful man.
My sympathy to you, the family of “Cuddles”. I met Malcolm and Mary many years ago at a St FX gathering in OTTAWA. I was attending St. Paul Seminary then and I am from New Waterford as well. I knew Dude in New Waterford and the very fine person Dude was. Cuddles was also a wonderful person. Though I have not kept contact over the years, nevertheless, I always remebered Cuddles and Mary as a great couple.
Peace be with you!
(Fr) Tom MacNeil
St John the Baptist Parish,
New Glasgow,NS
So sorry to hear of Mac’s passing. He was strong and gentle at the same time. A lovely man. We would like to wish him “happy trails” in the sweet hereafter. Thinking about your entire family.
Much Love, Lorraine & Nancy xoxo
I was shocked to read in this morning’s Ottawa Citizen that Mac my all-time favorite boss, mentor and friend had suffered a stroke and was taken to heaven. We worked closely together for ten years at Foreign Affairs, traveled to all parts of the world (sometimes with Mary) and I saw how hard he worked and the values, integrity and high standards that he possessed. His job as Director of Audit was not an easy one and the news he gave was not always pleasant but he carried out his role with professionalism, distinction and aplomb. He was an incredible writer and was very well respected in the Department. He cared deeply about his family and he cared deeply about his staff. I was privileged to have met all his family and want to say how sorry I am to hear of his passing. I hope he didn’t suffer too much. I hope Mary is ok.