Darrell Gordon "Ducky" McDow

It is with heavy hearts the family of Darrell Gordon "Ducky" McDow, 87 of Mount Denson, Hants County announces his sudden passing on Thursday, March 2, 2023 at the QEII, Halifax, due to a stroke, surrounded by his devoted family.

Born on November 30, 1935 in Blue Mountain, Kings County, he was a son of the late Gordon and Hattie (Russell) McDow. He grew up on the family farm and gained a firm foundation in a love of animals, the lake, a solid work ethic and strong family values.

After leaving home he worked in Halifax for Roy Judge and then started his life and forever home with his one true love, Goldie in Mount Denson in 1961. They had a hobby farm with various animals, but oxen always pulled strongly at his heart strings. He loved to garden throughout his years. He was known for his famous refrigerator cucumber pickles and his newsworthy front-page potato.

During his career of 36 years as a Millwright at CKF Inc. in Hantsport, he was well known for his amazing ability to figure out any problem and fix it. Perhaps no greater demonstration of this was shown than when he built his cottage on Murphy Lake from the ground up - spending every summer and some winters there for over 50 years. He took great pleasure in their cottage, sharing it with family and friends, making memories for everyone around the campfire, on the lake or simply just enjoying the view. Anyone who knew Darrell would experience his friendly, loyal, honest, hardworking, get it done manner, and being seen in his spiffy hats and bolo ties.

Darrell and Goldie shared many adventures, laughs, life learning experiences while raising their four children and had 61-and 1/2-years wonderful married years together. He loved to spend time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. His family was his pride and joy.

Over the years he had many hobbies and interests from going to the dances at the Winsport Dance Club or local dances, snowmobiling, bowling, motorcycling, curling, swimming, water skiing, hunting, fishing, card parties, playing block and crib, pulling oxen, 4-H Oxen and Beef Leader, senior games, gardening and mowing lawns. In his later years he learned to play the guitar and try his hand at painting and took many road trips. He volunteered at the Mount Denson Community Hall, Blue Mountain Cemetery Association, The Border Riders 4-H Club and Murphy Lake and Lane Road Association. He was a member of two Senior clubs, Minas Waves and Jolly Seniors and Heart/Stroke Windsor Chapter. Plus, whatever projects and jobs Goldie volunteered him for.

He was an avid fisherman, and he especially loved the annual May fishing trip with a core group of family and friends. He was a well-known oxen teamster travelling to compete at many fairs and exhibitions with his prize-winning team.

He had an amazing mind and there was nothing that he could not fix or invent to fix the problem. He enjoyed refurbishing anything that did not work from tinkering, building to painting. He was a great mentor to his grandchildren especially 4-H projects. He loved to go and watch his grandchildren participate in school, 4-H or sports events and loved spending time with his family.  

Darrell is survived by his loving wife of 61-and 1/2-years Goldie (Lockhart); daughters Eva (Paul) Cook, Pine Grove; Lisa (Steven) Cook, Hebbs Cross; Nadine (Jacques) Beaudoin, Calgary; and son Jerome (Krista) McDow, Mount Denson. Beloved grandchildren, (E) Benjamin (Kayla Rhodenizer), Hannah (Elliot Wajchendler), Leah (Ryan) Mercer, Abigail (Thomas Smith); (L) Miranda (Bruce) Heim, Grant Cook and (J) Kiya (Nathan Henley). Great granddaughters, (H) Millie and (L) Maren. Predeceased by his parents, in-laws, Grant and Margaret Lockhart; siblings, Hewitt (Alma) Russell, Firman (Marilyn), Rona (Albert) Sweet, Brayden "Butch", Ira and brother-in-law Ronald Carey. Survived by sister D. Doreen Carey, sister-in-law Jeannie McDow and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family would like to thank the Emergency Responders and the Stroke Team at the QEII for their care and compassion.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, March 10, 2023, in the White Family Funeral Home, Kentville. Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, March 11, 2023, in White Family Funeral Home, with a livestream available. Reception and fellowship to follow. Burial will be at a later date in the Blue Mountain Cemetery. Donations may be made to the Blue Mountain Cemetery Association or Mt. Denson Community Hall. Family flowers only. To view the livestream or for on-line condolences and inquires please visit: www.whitefamilyfuneralhome.com.

 

Someone once said, "My father didn’t tell me how to live. He lived and let me watch him do it." That is the kind of man we knew and may we always make him proud. We love and miss you more than words can say.