MacDONALD, Maj. Roderick (Roddie) E. RCE Retired
1917 - 2013
Passed peacefully at the Ottawa General Hospital at the age of 96. Proudly born of strong Cape Breton stock in Florence, Nova Scotia, Roderick is survived by his wife Elizabeth (Betty Anne) MacDonald (McGowan), his son Burns (Shauna) and daughter Sandy, his step-children Mark McGowan (Eileen) and Mary Beth McGowan and her husband Bob Starkey, and loving grandchildren Heather MacDonald; Matthew, Caitlin, Joshua and Adam Starkey; Erin, Patrick, Brendan, Kathleen, and John-Francis McGowan; and one great-granddaughter Roisin Lea. He is predeceased by his first wife Linda MacDonald (Cluett), his father Roderick Edward MacDonald, a Vimy veteran of the 85th Nova Scotia Highlanders, his mother Mary Alice MacDonald, and his brothers Harry Burns MacDonald RCAF – Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), and Earl MacDonald, CBNRC. Roderick was a graduate of Acadia University (1939) and worked briefly in the Lab at the Sydney Steel Plant, before the onset of World War II. Like so many of his generation, he joined the Army, serving in the Royal Canadian Engineers in Sicily, Italy, and the liberation of Holland, where he was known to have helped many of the Dutch people, for whom he had tremendous respect. Roderick commanded the No. 1 Radiation Detection Unit through the early 1950s including their participation in Allied and Commonwealth nuclear tests in Nevada and Australia, and played a part in developing much of the dosimeter, radiation detection and safeguard technology in use today. The family would like to extend a very special thank-you to the staff at the Perley & Rideau Veterans Health Centre who became a loving extension of our family, and to the kindness he and our whole family received at the Ottawa General, whose compassion exceeded all bounds and made this life experience much easier for us all, especially for Roddie. A celebration of Roddie's life will be held in Ottawa at the Perley & Rideau Veteran's Health Care Centre, in Lupton Hall, at 10:00am on Saturday 02 November. A memorial service for the interment of ashes will be held in Sydney, Nova Scotia, at a future date - location and time to be announced. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Perley & Rideau Veterans Health Centre Foundation, the Ottawa Hospital Foundation, or the Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal.
God's piper has called Roddie and
he goes well-loved by all.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
15 Entries
November 1, 2013
Patricia Hunt (Hergott)
Dear Betty Anne...my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this most difficult time...my faith tells me Roddie's pain is over and he is waiting for you in heaven...fondly, Pat
November 1, 2013
Peter Dunlap
Dear Mrs. MacDonald...AKA "Betty-Anne", and the MacDonald, McGowan and Starkey Families:
Sincere sympathies on the passing of a good man- here's to a long life well lived. May he rest in peace.
Fondly,
Peter and Susan Dunlap and Family
October 31, 2013
Nancy Fontanne
Sandy, Burns and Betty Ann
Know that I am thinking about you during this difficult time. I will always remember and cherish Mr MacDonald's (he'll always be Mr. MacDonald to me) wonderful stories.
With love and remembrance,
Nancy
October 30, 2013
Dear Burns,
Thinking of you and sending our sympathies to you and your family.
Terry and Nancy Burgess (former Nepean neighbors)
October 28, 2013
So many fond memories of my dear neighbor from years ago.
Hope to see you on the other side my good friend.
Donna , Kristen, Mandy and Billy.
October 28, 2013
Dear Burns, Shauna and Heather, our thoughts and hearts are with you. What an incredible man Roddie was. Burns he must have always been a great source of pride for you. Beautiful obituary. Anne and Bruce
October 28, 2013
Carol MacKinnon
A special tear lays on my cheek for the loss of a good cape bretoner, a man I am proud to have known and been related to.
October 28, 2013
Jane Fontanne
To Sandy and Bruce
I hope your memories of your father carry you through this time of loss. Even though he has passed he will be with you always in everything you do and say each and every day.
October 27, 2013
Joanne Joyce - LaBossiere
Sandy's dad, Mr. MacDonald, is at peace with his true Father in Heaven. Prayers to the Family.
October 27, 2013
Larry A. Mercer C.D.
May "Roddie" Rest In Peace
He enjoyed playing Wheel Of Fortune
at the Perley - Rideau on Tuesday Evenings with Josie (Staff) and Larry (Volunteer)
October 27, 2013
Sidney Thomson
My thoughts and prayers are with Sandy and her family
October 27, 2013
The McKay Family
Our sincere thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
October 26, 2013
Our thoughts and prayers are with our extended family on this sad occasion. Wish we could be with you. Ginny McGowan, Mabel McGowan, Rick Forsyth, and Laurie Forsyth (Charlottetown, PEI)
October 26, 2013
Lynn Clark - Germain
Peace and prayers for his soul and his family.
October 26, 2013
May you be smiling at the water's edge with your long gone loved ones. You have left a circle of ones who love you still and know that you are happy and at peace.
Your loving daughter always,
Sandra
Showing 1 - 15 of 15 results
Funeral services provided by:
Hulse, Playfair & McGarry - Central Chapel315 McLeod Street, Ottawa, ON K2P 1A2
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