Donald "Jack" MacDonald

The family of the late Jack MacDonald announces his passing on March 10, 2024, in the Valley Regional Hospital. Born in Kentville, NS on April 20, 1947, he was the only child of the late Willis "Bill" and Joyce (Borden) MacDonald of Kentville.

Jack leaves behind his wife, Trish, the love of his life; his son, Scott (Lindsay Linkletter); daughter, Heather (Andrew) Cleveland. Proud and adoring grandfather of Maren and Calum MacDonald and Will and Charlie Cleveland. Also, his aunt, Christine Simpson, who still lives (at age 100) on the family farm where she and Jack’s mother were born and grew up.

Jack grew up in Kentville and attended KCA. He came from a small family and spent his summers at the cottage at Aylesford Lake or at the farm in Grafton with his cousins, Pam, Bob, and Alan Simpson. Jack and Bob loved to go fishing, and over time, Jack became more interested in the rocks in riverbeds.

Upon graduation from KCA, he enrolled at Acadia University where he was roommates with another Jack MacDonald. They were known as Jack Halifax and Jack Kentville. After graduating with an M.Sc. in Geology, Jack and Trish moved out west to the "oil patch." Jack worked as a geologist in Calgary for four years where they started a family. Before long, the pull of the Maritimes was too strong to ignore, and they returned to Nova Scotia to be closer to family.

Jack jumped into teaching high school where he quickly earned a reputation for being a student favourite. He was known for leaving a space on the chalkboard where students could write their names if they were having a bad day and didn’t want to be called on in class.

Jack was pulled back into geology and went to work on the offshore oil rigs. He loved the rigs but found the lifestyle difficult with young children. When the Ocean Ranger tragically sank in '82, Jack decided it was time to stay on land with his family. He started TriJack consulting and continued to work with the rigs remotely.

His next chapter came when he joined the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources where he retired as a Senior Petroleum Geologist. He felt honored to be of service to the people of Nova Scotia and proudly flew the Nova Scotia flag on his front lawn. He was known for organizing amazing "field trips" for those who wanted to learn about the geology of Nova Scotia. He was an idea guy, a helper, teacher, and mentor.

For 25 years he carpooled from the Annapolis Valley to Halifax with the same buddies, Andy and Steve. These commutes were highlighted by weekly "muffin bets," a version of "car trivia" where one carpooler would offer a muffin for the right answer to a tricky question. "How long are the dashed lines on the highway?"

Jack and Trish lived in New Minas for twenty plus years before they moved to a larger home in Coldbrook. This was a perfect setting for a family wedding and for grandchildren to play, pick apples from real trees and to learn about nature and when he knew he was going to be a grandfather he built a playhouse in the back yard which his four grandkids enjoyed for many hours with imaginative play. His grandchildren were also the beneficiaries of his famous "field trips" into the back woods where they would go discovering trees, bugs, rocks, animal tracks and more!

Jack was a loyal son, husband, father, grandfather, cousin, nephew, and friend. He was an entertainer for family and friends and loved to laugh. He never lost his quick wit and sense of humour.

He was a true friend and felt everyone deserved recognition, taking time to include a good morning to the janitor of the building who cleaned his office. He was a people person in the true sense of the word.

Jack will always be remembered for his love of family, of nature, and for helping others just for the joy of being there for them. He truly connected with people through laughter, touch, and genuine interest of others. He was also known for his prominent ears and nose, but his heart was his brightest feature of all. Jack was finally "Going Home" after many battles with three cancers plus dementia and he bid his final "toodly-doo."

The family would like to extend a sincere debt of gratitude for giving an extra 16 years to Jack’s life from the time of his diagnosis to Dr. Darrell White, Hematologist in Halifax, his nurse, Trish MacLean, Dr. Mike Wadden, family doctor and to Dr. Don Clarke, surgeon. Also, to Dr. Keough and Dr. MacDonald and the palliative care team for giving comfort care and ensuring no pain at his end of life. Thank you to the nursing team on Medical B (extension) for the excellent care and compassion shown to Jack during his stay. Thank you to Tracey who was his nurse as well as a former student who was there at the end of life.

A celebration of life for Jack will be held at the Heritage Hall in Coldbrook (2833 Lovett Road) on May 4th from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. It will be casual, and we encourage you to bring an interesting rock, stone or pebble and your favourite "Jack" story in writing. We will have a container to collect these stories for the family to treasure.

Jack would be honoured if donations were given in memory to Myeloma Canada toll free 1-888-798-5771 or to the QEII Foundation: https://qe2foundation.ca/ways-give/remember-life and specify that gifts in memory be made to the QEII’s Multiple Myeloma Patient Support Fund. Arrangements have been entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Kentville.