Obituary of John Ronald Wilkinson

John Ronald Wilkinson — lovingly known to family as Ronnie or Ron, and to friends across Pictou County as “Wilkie” — passed away peacefully on November 26th, 2025, surrounded by the love of his family.

Ron was predeceased by his father, Murdock Wilkinson; his stepfather, Jennings Carter; his mother, Agnes Elizabeth (MacDonald) Wilkinson Carter; and his sister, Helen (Wilkinson) Butler.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Linda (Cahoon) Wilkinson; his brothers George Wilkinson (Judy) and Bryan Carter (Angie); his sister Jean Weiss (Mike); and his brother-in-law Charles Butler. Ron was a devoted father to his three children: Lisa (Wilkinson) MacEachern (Scott), Tracey Wilkinson (David), and Joe Wilkinson (Nicole). He was immensely proud of his 10 grandchildren: Emily MacEachern, Danielle MacEachern, Vaughn MacEachern, Hailey Morgan, Chase Morgan, Jordan Morgan, Tess Morgan, Gabriel Morgan, Jacob Wilkinson, and Riley Wilkinson.

Ron was born in Broadway to Agnes and Murdock. After the passing of his father when he was young, the family moved to Trenton. His mother later married Jennings Carter, and the family relocated to Maccan, where Ron spent his formative years. In his late teens he returned to Pictou County to begin his apprenticeship as a Plumber/pipe-fitter. One of his first major jobs was assisting in the construction of the new Scott Paper, Pulp and Paper Mill. After completing his Plumbing/pipe-fitter apprenticeship, Ron worked with many local plumbing and heating companies across Pictou and Antigonish Counties throughout the late 1960s and into the 1970s, including Moore Brothers and MacKay Plumbing & Heating. He later had a 30-year career as a pipe-fitter at the pulp mill.

Growing up in Maccan, Ron developed a deep love for sports, a passion he shared with his brother George. Both were avid baseball and hockey players. Ron’s speed on the ice earned him the nickname “Blades,” a name that stayed with him well into adulthood.

Ron also came from a family of excellent cooks, and this shaped a lifelong love of preparing meals for others. He became famous among family and friends for his incredible feasts: elaborate turkey dinners, lobster boils, fish chowders, stir-fries, baked beans, and his infamous cabbage rolls that everyone enjoyed.

Ron met the love of his life, Linda, in New Glasgow during his apprenticeship. Their early years together were filled with legion dances, playing cards (45’s) with friends, family gatherings, and of course, plenty of hockey and baseball. Ron and Linda were married on June 29, 1968, and were blessed with 57 anniversaries, three children, and ten grandchildren.

In his later years, Ron’s greatest joy was his grandchildren. Whether cheering at hockey games, listening to them play their instruments, late-night pickups, getting their updates on the phone, or helping with the horses, he was always there. He arrived faithfully in his signature St. F.X. hat, sunglasses, and often with a treat of chocolate coconut donuts in hand.

The family will receive visitors 11 – 11:50 a.m. Tuesday, December 2, 2025 in P. & K. MacDonald Funeral Home Chapel from where funeral service will be held at 12 noon with Deacon Sander Burke officiating followed by a reception. Interment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, New Glasgow.

Donations may be made in Ron’s memory to Women Alike Breast Cancer Society.

Lovingly submitted by family.

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