Obituary of Roy David MacDonald

Roy was born in Lower Millstream on October 24, 1922, he was the son of the late David MacDonald of Narin, Scotland and Verna P. (MacAulay) MacDonald of Lower Millstream. They had 8 children: Flora, Roy, Ken, Ruby, Ron, Verna, George and Alice. The family owned and operated a dairy farm on the O'Neil Road in Searsville. The MacDonald's were a musical family. With both parents and all the children play musical instrument, their summer kitchen soon became a popular location for a Saturday night part. Roy's instruments of choice were the guitar and the fiddle. He was also able to play the piano and the banjo. He and his brothers play for many dances in the area. Roy loved to sing and even wrote a few songs which can be heard on some of the discs he would often play in his room. Roy was one of the founding members of the Town and Country Jamboree where he preformed with his sister, Verna. Roy joined the armed forces in 1942. He was a member of the Black Watch and served in Newfoundland, England, and Belgium. Roy was wounded in Belgium and send back to England for surgery and to recuperate before returning home to Canada. All of this is detail in a book he wrote, which he was very proud of. After returning from the war, Roy met and fell in love with Bea Price. They were married on June 28, 1947. They had two daughters: Dianne and Barb; two grandchildren, Terra Lee and Geof; and now have five great-grandchildren, Megan, Evan, Nathan, Alyssa and Isabella. Roy was employed for 45 years by the Department of Transportation, bridge department. As a Bridge Foreman, Roy worked on all the covered bridges in Kings County and Saint John County. He also help build the first foot bridge over the Big Salmon River. Roy and Bea enjoyed camping, traveling with the Twin Seas Caravan Clud and attending the odd Blue Grass Festival. Roy was always ready to entertain at the bonfires with his guitar in hand, singing a few songs. With his dry wit, he could be counted on to tell a joke or two. He also enjoyed fishing and caught his share of trout and salmon. Roy was a Life Member and sat on the executive for many years of the Royal Canadian Legion Sussex Branch # 20 . He was a member of Twin Seas Caravan Club, and St. Paul's United Church. Besides traveling the Atlantic Provinces over the years Roy and Bea visited British Columbia, Ontario, Maine, Nashville and Florida. Roy lived a very full and happy life, filled with love, music and laughter. Roy will live on in the hearts of his daughters: Dianna Kelly and her husband Jim of Sussex, Barbara Ann MacDonald of Sussex; his brother George and his wife Leona of Sussex; his sister Ruby Morrison and her husband Dave of Gondola Point; his two grandchildren: Terra Lee Kelly and Geoff Kelly and his wife Tam; five great grandchildren: Megan, Evan, Nathan, Alyssa and Isabella; two sisters-in-law Gertrude MacDonald of Quispamsis and Enid MacDonald of Sussex; as well as by several nieces and nephews Mr. David Roy MacDonald, formerly of Elmsview Ave. passed away at the Kiwanis Nursing Home on October 15, 2015 at the age of 92. He is predeceased by his wife Bea (Price) who passed away in 2011, his sisters Flora MacDonald, Verna Patterson and Alice Chamber, and by his brothers Ken and Ron. Arrangements have been entrusted to the compassionate care of Wallace Funeral Home, 34 Sunnyside Drive, Sussex, (506-433-1176) where visitation will be held: Sunday from 1-3pm and 6-8pm. The Royal Canadian Legion Sussex Branch # 20 will hold a Tribute Sunday evening at 5:45pm. A service celebrating Mr. MacDonald’s life will be held from Wallace Community Chapel on October 19, 2015 at 2:00pm. If you are considering making a memorial donation the family has recommended the charity of your choice.