Obituary of Douglas Charles MacDonald

Douglas Charles MacDonald was born on December 24, 1947, and died peacefully at the Saint John Regional Hospital, January 30, 2023. 

Dougie was a welder/fitter by trade and worked on both the East and West Coast. He later went to work for the ferry system at the shop in Evandale and on the Peninsula Princess. Shalyn’s favourite thing was to raid the left overs in his lunch box every day when he got home. This became a tradition for quite some time and Shalyn often found a special chocolate treat waiting for her, just so he could see the look on her face. 

Boating and snowmobiling were a big part of Dougie’s life for many years. He loved cruising up river to Gagetown with George and Jane. Winters were spent sledding around the Peninsula with Ernie and the rest of the gang. This also included many, many hours in the garage fixing his machines. The garage was definitely a favourite hangout and often stole the attention of the girls’ boyfriends which never went over well. Later, with bigger and faster sleds, snowmobiling graduated to travelling to George’s camp, riding the trails all day with George and Frankie and coming back to the camp to enjoy Lynda’s hamburger soup and Wendy’s lemon bread. 

Anyone that knew Dougie knew that the Harley was his favourite thing. He said he loved looking at the world through the handlebars. He said, “it is all about the ride”, and it didn’t matter what you drove. He had no problem jumping on one of the girls’ scooters and heading down the road. His favourite memories included traveling through the States headed to Sturgis and the many trips to Laconia with the boys. 

Doug loved to fish and loved spending time with his son bass fishing on the Kennebecasis. He especially loved that Thane did the driving and most of the work, leaving him to sit back and relax. Bickering and bartering with his brother Russell was also one of his favourite past times. Memories at the camp, fixing cars in the garage and arguing around the table resonate loudly. 

Most recently he enjoyed hanging out with Lynda in the motor home. He loved spending time at Island View Campground in Pocologan and at Kennview with Terry, Ernie Ian and the gang. 

When Taryn came to Dougie with any problem he always told her to remember that, “it’s all part of the adventure”. This became words to live by. Dougie’s life was a very big adventure filled with so many who loved him. He will be dearly missed. 

Dougie is survived by his partner of 40 years, Lynda; son Thane (Tricia); daughters, Taryn (Fred) and Shalyn (Rob); step son Shawn (Heather); grandchildren: Jacey, Jaden, Charlee, Carter, Ryder, Sophie, Tyler and Lauren; brothers, Russell (Nancy), David (Fran), Billy (Kym) and Tony (Kim); sister Patsy (Peter); as well as several nieces and nephews. Dougie was predeceased by his parents, Doug and Madeleine. 

A celebration of life will be held at the Moss Glen Legion, 1356 NB-845, Clifton Royal, NB, on Sunday, February 5, from 2-6 PM. 

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of 5AN CICU for showing incredible kindness and compassion. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association, Heart and Stroke Foundation of NB, the Canadian Cancer Society or the charity of the donor’s choosing. 

Arrangements are under the care of Kennebecasis Funeal Home, 152 Pettingill Rd. (849-2119). For those who wish online condolences may be placed by clicking the link on Dougie’s obituary page.