Obituary of Owen Ellsworth MacDonald

MacDONALD, Owen E. Pictou It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Owen Ellsworth MacDonald, aged 83 years of Pictou, NS. Owen was born on January 2, 1938, on Pictou Island, the youngest son of John Angus and Viola (MacLean) MacDonald. In his younger days Owen fished off the East End of Pictou Island. He was a local Fisheries Representative, then proudly served as Assistant to the Minister of Fisheries, Dr. Dan Reid. After his political stint, he worked at Stright-MacKay and Pictou Fishing Supplies. Owen met his wife Jean, who had moved from Montague, PEI to teach in 1962. They settled in Lyons Brook where they raised their four children There were many years of camping, travelling and boating. Over the years, he had many boats on the water including his sailboat, Naut-y-Kell, and his modified boat “Knot Wise”, raced by his sons. Owen was raised to believe it was important to serve your community. He was a member of the Independent Order of Oddfellows and held several offices including Grand Master of the Atlantic Provinces, Noble Grand of Eastern Star Lodge #1, Chief Patriarch of Wawbeck #12, District Deputy Grand Master and the Home Board of the Oddfellows Home, Pictou, NS. Owen was a member of the Board of Managers and served as an elder for First Presbyterian Church, Pictou. He enjoyed singing in the choir and was a member of the chorus in Rotary Club plays. He was a past Pictou Kinsmen, Pictou Lions Club and Pictou Yacht Club member. Owen will be missed by his son, Shaun (Paula), Greenhill, and their sons Ryan, Travis and Nathan; son, Mark (Michelle), Lyon’s Brook, and their daughter Emma; daughter, Cynthia Robertson (Andrew), Pictou, and their children Liam, Brenna, Stephanie, Brittany, and Blake; daughter, Kelly Pidgeon (Michael), Salt Springs, and their children Patrick, Michael, Shannon and Lindsay. He is also remembered by his brother, Bill MacDonald (Ann Young), Pictou; nephew, Stuart MacDonald (Tracey), Sackville, NB; nieces, Gillian Conneybear (Richie), Tobago, Blanche McClair (Jim), Prince George, BC and cousin, Sheila Tobin (Michael), Braeshore. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, the former Jean Ferguson; his parents; brother, Clair MacDonald; and uncle, Fraser MacLean. The family are comforted in knowing that he spent his last days on his terms. This past summer he had a view overlooking the wharf and his birthplace from Logan’s trailer park in Caribou. You could count on seeing him in his truck on the wharf to greet the fishermen and travellers from the Pictou Island Ferry. He enjoyed chatting with young and old, and spoke fondly of the boys from the boat shop, and the friendly staff at Sharon’s Place. He was an avid Leafs fan and knew about their recent win - too bad it wasn’t against the Habs. The family would like to thank Dr. Ohson and the caring staff of the Aberdeen Hospital’s Emergency Department and 4th Floor. Cremation has taken place, a Celebration of Life will be held 4:00 PM Saturday April 23rd from First Presbyterian Church, Pictou. Memorial gifts in his memory may be made to The Lodge that Gives, or a charity of choice. www.mclarenfuneral.ca