Donald MacINNIS Obituary

MacINNIS, Donald Joseph
December 14, 1932 - Sydney, NS
June 28, 2013 - Calgary, AB
On June 28, 2013, we lost a very special man in our lives, Donald "Farmer" Joseph MacInnis, who passed away suddenly at the age of 80. Farmer enjoyed spending time with the people he loved and he was the foundation of a very loving family. He showed us what was important through his values and morals, and created a successful template for family life that has carried on from generation to generation. With his unique sense of humor enjoyed by all, he was usually one of the first ones to laugh at his own jokes. Farmer's favorite saying was "blessed art thou among women." Born in Sydney, Nova Scotia in 1932, Farmer graduated from St. Francis Xavier and married Dorothy before moving out west in 1956 where he began his teaching career in Cluny, Alberta. He and Dorothy later moved to Calgary, where he began a long and successful career as a teacher and administrator before retiring in 1981 from Calgary Separate School board. Farmer was born with an entrepreneurial spirit. He started as a teenager working at the local hockey rink in Sydney, and went on to create his own business while attending university. In 1981, he entered into commercial real estate and went on to run his own unique travel business, allowing him and Dorothy to travel the world. Never truly retiring, Farmer loved to work on his property in Priddis where he created a park-like atmosphere.
Farmer will be deeply missed by friends and
family, but he will always be with us in spirit –
he will be loved forever.
Farmer is survived by his best friend and loving wife of fifty-seven years, Dorothy; his four daughters Sheila (Steig), Joan (Bill), Trish (Chris), and Jackie (Pete); his grandchildren Jenny (Paul), Jessica (Matt), Kristine (Eric), Jeff and Ryleigh; and great- grandchildren Dawson, Aubrey, Mia, and Eric. He is also survived by his two sisters, Kay McIntosh (Burke, deceased), as well as Kay's nine loving children; Joan MacNeil (Steve, deceased) and the MacNeil family. If friends so desire, memorial donations may be made directly to Special Olympics Calgary, 3676 - 48 Avenue N.E., Calgary, AB T3J 5C8 (Phone 403-735-1022, www.specialolympics.ab.ca) or to a charity of your choice. Relatives and friends are invited to Prayers and Tributes at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY'S Fish Creek Chapel (14441 Bannister Road S.E.) today, July 4, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Patrick's Catholic Church (1414 Shawnessy Boulevard S.W.) on Friday, July 5, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In living memory of Donald MacInnis, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Calgary Herald from Jul. 3 to Jul. 4, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Donald MacINNIS

13 Entries

Michelle MacKenzie

October 3, 2013

I knew Don from my time at Travel Fun. He was such a pleasure and could talk to anyone and make them feel like they were the center of the his world. He taught me that there is always more than one way to look at something. I am lucky to have had the chance to know him.
To Dorothy, Jackie and family, my condolences and I know that time will heal your hearts.
God be with you in this time of grief.

John Currie

July 16, 2013

Dear Dorothy & Family. Our deepest condolences. Only wish we could have heard sooner so we could have attended the services. Don truly was an exceptional person;always left one feeling good about life;his joy & energy were infectious. I have many fond memories of Don when I was on the School Board as he set the standard for what a teacher & an administrator should be. The world will be smaller now.

July 14, 2013

Dear Dorothy and family.
Many long years ago Don and you both taught in Duchess. I was one of Don's students. My last name was Lake then and I remember Don for his teaching abilities and humor. So sorry for you loss. Your children will be your salvation and I'm very happy to have five as my life revolves around them.
Deepest sympathy.
Joyce Snell

Peter McWhir

July 5, 2013

Oh what a great time we had - riding and falling off horses, planting trees with Matthew Good Dagger, landscaping and barn fixing, walking and talking the fence lines, laughing at joke upon joke...always a smile with this man, always a kind word, good advice and a genuine desire to help and "be there".
It's been 35 years of positive friendship and his endless wry humour...
There are so many who will miss this "Farmer, outstanding in his Field" Truly a great man and a blessing to those who were lucky enough to share time with him.
God Bless Dorothy, Sheila, Joannie, Patricia and Jackie and their families- giving them the strength and courage to carry on - as their Father would have wished.

Rosemin Dhanji

July 4, 2013

So sorry to hear about Don's passing. Our deepest sympathy for your loss. Our prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time.

Scotiabank, Woodbine Square Branch, Calgary

Jason, Joel, Niki and Gib Thompson

July 3, 2013

Dear Mrs. MacInnis and family,

So very sorry to hear the news about Mr. MacInnis. It was clear to us he was a close and treasured friend of our parents. You'll smile to know we were always intrigued about where the nickname "Farm" came from. A wonderful person with a great sense of humour - he will definitely be missed. On behalf of our parents (who are on their way back to Calgary) our thoughts and prayers are with you.

July 3, 2013

we are sorry for lost you are in our thoughts and prayers
Carla bryan jill

Michael& Jodie Prosciak

July 3, 2013

Dorothy, Joan and family, We were saddened to hear of Don's passing. The Hughes kept us informed about what you were up to. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this sad time.

Linda McCaffrey

July 3, 2013

Ladies, and I mean all of you, I am so sorry to hear of Mr. MacInnis' passing away. He was "one of those teachers that made a difference in my life". I know I am really dating myself but He was my very first "friend" when I started grade one in 1962 - when I am pretty sure there was nobody living in the west side of Southwood but our family. I believe I had one brother for just about every one of the "sisters" and following that Joan became an absolutely excellent helper with my aspergers son, Ryan at Don Bosco.
What a tremendous loss of part of a fantastic family. I am so sorry for all of you.
Love Linda McCaffrey

July 3, 2013

I would like to extend my deepest sympathy to Dorothy, his children and grandchildren and all of those who will feel Don's loss.

I remember him so vividly as one of my favourite teachers and principals. While we hadn't seen each other for many years, we heard about one another through our mutual friends - Sharon and her father Walter Oleszkowicz.

Don has left a very deep legacy through his years in the education system having inspired many young people to uphold high ideals and a passion for learning.

With regards
Joan (McAuley) Endersby

Germaine Arsenault

July 3, 2013

your in our prayers.

DAN MILLER

July 3, 2013

DOROTHY & FAMILY , SO SORRY TO HEAR OF DON'S PASSING .HE WAS ONE OF MY FAVORITE PEOPLE TO TALK TO DURING MY YEARS IN CALGARY , ALWAYS ALWAYS INTERESTING CONVERSATION , READY TO SHARE A JOKE OR TO IMPART SOUND ADVICE . HE WILL BE DEEPLY MISSED . MY THOUGHTS & PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU . KNOW THAT DON IS SMILING DOWN FROM ABOVE AS HE WATCHES OVER YOU . DAN MILLER

July 3, 2013

Dorothy & Family, our thoughts & prayers are with you at this sad time. Don was a lovely man. May all the wonderful memories you shared become treasures in the days ahead.
Don, Margaret & Karen Harvey

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