MacDONALD, George

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of George Jerome MacDonald on January 26, 2020 in his 84th year. George is predeceased by his first wife Anne (Gillis), and survived by his second wife Catherine (Dupuis). Loving father to Nanci (Jim), Tim (Michelle), Mark (Louise), Michele, George Jr.(Eileen), Kent (Elizabeth), Derek and Cheryl (Jason). Grandfather to Stephanie (Mike), Patrick, Kyle ,Caitlin, Rebecca, Abbigale (Jo), Adam, Peter, Megan, Cameron, Liam,  Gabriella and Arthur. Great-Grandfather George (“Triple G”) to Ella, Isabelle and Abigail.
George was born in North Lake, PEI (Bluefin Tuna Capital of the World) to Stephen James MacDonald and Veronica Campbell. Prince Edward Island (PEI), his first home, was a place he returned to annually to visit family and friends. It also became a destination for the entire family to enjoy and come to love.
He was the youngest of 15 children and is survived by his sister Theresa of Hamilton and predeceased by brothers and sisters: Mary, Annie, Amelia, Gertrude, Rita, Margaret, John, William, Walter, Kenneth, Leo, Ronald and Bernard, his identical twin.
George came to Toronto in the mid 1950’s and married Anne Gillis of Souris Line Road, PEI in 1957. He worked at the GE plant in Toronto until the late 1960’s and in that time began working on obtaining his high school diploma. In 1969, the GE Plant closed, and he and the family moved to Midland, Ontario where he began a new life and career at the RCA facility. He also completed his high school diploma. In December 1982, RCA closed and soon thereafter tragedy struck with the sudden passing of his wife Anne in January 1983. His commitment to his Roman Catholic faith helped carry him through this traumatic time.
George led the organizing committee for the 1984 Papal Visit to the Martyrs’ Shrine in Midland. George and Catherine met through their work on the Papal Visit and were married in 1986. Their faith and commitment to each other enabled the blending of families and a large family became larger.
Following the completion of the Papal Visit, George began working at ELCAN in Midland in the purchasing department. He worked at ELCAN until his retirement in 2001 but continued to work there until his second and final retirement in 2012. The only thing George was not good at… retiring.
George served two consecutive terms as a councillor on the Town of Midland council and then three consecutive terms as the Mayor, all while he was employed fulltime. The North Simcoe Recreation Centre (NSRC) was built and opened in 2004 under his leadership. In addition to his terms as Mayor, he served two consecutive terms as Warden of the Simcoe County Council. George also ran twice for the Ontario Liberals in the provincial elections in 1985 (Simcoe East) and 1999 (Simcoe North). If you need something done…ask a busy person!
George was a faithful servant to his Roman Catholic faith by serving others as a lay minister, administering communion to those that were sick or could not get to church; and as a Eucharistic minister, serving communion for 30 plus years. George regularly visited the sick and dying in the hospital, offering support and prayers. He also served on the St. Margaret’s Cemetery and Martyrs’ Shrine boards.
Following his retirement from ELCAN, he continued to serve the community by sitting on the Midland Police Services and Huronia Airport Boards. George was instrumental in getting Chigamik, the Community Health Centre off the ground and served on their Board of Directors. Always the consummate politician, George served one more term as councillor on the Midland Town Council.
In his retirement, he enjoyed golfing, sports (Maple Leafs and Blue Jays) and talking about the weather ,local news and politics. George loved being an active and regular member of the Midland YMCA. Most of all he enjoyed family gatherings where we all laughed at his bad jokes and celebrated being together .As George always said, “I have the best family ever”.
He will be missed by many as he has left a great legacy of service to the community. George is a powerful example of being strong in the face of adversity and faith in God’s will. He was always grateful for life’s blessings and lessons. He lived a full life.
The family is extremely grateful to Dr. Tahir and the ICU staff at Georgian Bay General Hospital. The team showed a great sense of compassion and a human side to George and his family during this difficult time.
Visitation at Nicholls Funeral Home in Midland, Ontario on Monday, February 3, 2020 from 2 – 4pm and 7 – 9pm. Funeral will take place at St Margaret’s Roman Catholic Church in Midland, Ontario on Tuesday, February 4, 2020 at 2pm with reception to follow at the North Simcoe Recreational Centre from 3 – 5pm.
Memorial donations to the Georgian Bay General Hospital Foundation or St Vincent de Paul would be welcomed.