Obituary of Bryan Matthew MacDonald

 

Bryan Matthew MacDonald, 47, Linacy, passed away peacefully, November 22, 2024, in the Halifax Infirmary, QEII, Halifax, surrounded by the love of his family.

 

Born on January 6, 1977, in New Glasgow, he was a son of H. Graham and Karen A. (Chisholm) MacDonald. Bryan was a graduate of New Glasgow High School and St. F.X. University with Honors.  Bryan and his brother, Steven, completed a Cabinet Carpentry course together at NSCC, Stellarton Campus. From there

 

Bryan embarked on a life-long love of creating beautifully hand-crafted furniture. A skilled craftsman whose meticulous attention to detail was evident in everything he completed. Bryan took great pride in creating things and had a love of antiques and history.  He and his high-school sweetheart, Dawn, ventured West where Bryan spent several years working in the oilfields, before returning to Linacy where they designed and built their home and started a family. 

 

Bryan began working at an early age on his father’s farm. He put himself through university working in the woods cutting pulp and stud wood. As well as the oilfields, he was employed with several construction companies and in forestry with his brothers and father. Bryan, with the help of his children, father, brothers and nephews, spent the last several years raising and maintaining a beautiful herd of Highland cattle.

 

Growing up, he and his brothers enjoyed riding dirt bikes and motorcycles, hunting and fishing, and playing competitive hockey. In later years, he enjoyed travelling, and spending time at the family cottage in Stillwater. Bryan was an avid reader and greatly enjoyed studying local history, accumulating an impressive collection of books.

 

Bryan was proud of his children. He enjoyed spending time with his son, Robert, showing him the skill of woodworking, building projects together, working on trucks, hunting and fishing.  He took pleasure in his daughter Madelyn’s creativity, her love of dance, skill improvement, performance and evolving drawing and artistic abilities.

 

He and Dawn cherished many hours spent together, enjoying life and raising their family.  Bryan treasured his mom, dad and brothers, always willing to lend a helping hand and enjoyed spending time together.  He loved his family dearly and will live on in their hearts forever.

 

Surviving besides his parents, are his wife, Dawn and their children, Robert Graham MacDonald and Madelyn Bryanna MacDonald; older brother, David (Jenifer) MacDonald and their children, Cale, Josh, Matthew and Blair; younger brother, Steven (Bernadette) MacDonald and their daughter, Lily; mother-in-law, Zeana Hollis; several aunts and uncles; many cousins.

 

He was predeceased by his maternal grandparents, Lloyd and Lola (Sangster) Chisholm; paternal grandparents, Clarence and Margaret (Kirk) MacDonald; father-in-law, Robert “Bob” MacLeod; two uncles.

 

In honour of Bryan’s wishes, his family has celebrated his life privately.

 

Donations may be made in Bryan’s memory to the Canadian Cancer Society.