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
Sending love and condolences to all the MacDonald family.
Dear Ann-Marie, I offer my deepest condolences to you and your family for the loss of your dear dad. I remember meeting him and your mum once when they were visiting in Toronto. This eulogy tells of quite a great life! His loss will surely leave a big space in many hearts. How lucky he was to leave this world surrounded by his three daughters, and how wonderful for you to have been with him. Love and hugs, Monica.
Heather and I are saddened to hear of Mac’s passing. We have fond memories of Mac, Mary, Honora, Lillian,and Ann-Marie,(or Gus, as Mac lovingly called her), during our time together at 4 Wing, Germany. Once back in Canada, we re-united with the MacDonald clan in Kingston, and there met John-Hugh, the latest family addition. Needless to say, whenever we visited the MacDonald household, we were always warmly welcomed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire family. Fondly, Lou & Heather Jones
Voices from the past sending you sincere condolences on the loss of your dad. Chris and Megan Corrigan
The Ritchie family extends their deepest condolences to the MacDonalds on the passing of “Mac” MacDonald, a distinguished diplomat and great friend. Our late parents, Ed and Gwen Ritchie, cherished their very special relationship with Mac and Mary over many years. They were a wonderful pair, unstinting in their support and love, and it is hard for us to imagine them apart. Our love and warmest regards to Mary and the family.
Anne Cormier Woodall, writing for Cornie and Lorraine Cormier and family.
Our thoughts were with you all weekend. Both of my parents had so many wonderful stories to share about Mac, from their elementary school days with Cuddles, to their many gatherings, card games and outings with Mac and Mary. I don’t know who my Dad will call now when he discovers a boxing match on TV. We, their kids, can only hope to have and cherish such wonderful life long friends.
I am sorry to hear about Malcolm. A friend of mine introduced me to him at External Affairs where we both worked in the early 90’s. After exchanging family histories we eventually learned that he was my father’s fourth cousin through a MacPherson family in Catalone, Cape Breton. I visited him several times at his home in east Ottawa and was looking forward to someday visiting him in Victoria.
Although Chuck and I did not have the pleasure of knowing Mac and Mary well, I recall meeting them one time in Lahr, Germany where we were posted and first met our dear friends, Lillian and Bob Szpak. We were struck by Mac’s calm demeanour and by Mary’s sense of fun. Theirs was a fine example of a happy marriage and I know how much Lillian admired their devotion to one another.
We know Lillian and Bob are surrounded by love and affection at this difficult time and are keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers.
With much love from Elaine and Chuck Buckley
We’re thinking of you at this very sad time. Bless you all…, Dick and Pauline.
We were very sorry to read of Mac’s death in the Citizen. He and Mary were special friends from Annunciation Parish in Ottawa. They will never be forgotten for their friendship and kindness.
Our sincere condolence to Mary and family. Love and prayers.