Obituary for John Alexander Ervin MacDonald
John A. E. MacDonald, aged 87, of Winnipeg passed away peacefully at the Grace Hospital on Sunday, August 9, 2020.
John was born in Ninette, Manitoba on August 1, 1933. As a youth, he met and later married the love of his life Arlene (nee Knudson). They were married in Brandon in 1956. John had begun his working career as a baker in Virden, Manitoba and after marrying Arlene they purchased and ran the Souris Bakery for a number of years. John studied to become a Chartered Accountant and was the last of only three students to ever earn the Silver Medal in his third year and the Gold Medal in his fifth year through the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Manitoba. He earned his designation as a Bankruptcy Trustee, as well as a Fellow of Chartered Accountants in multiple provinces and territories. John served on the board of the Interprovincial Board of Examiners for Uniform Final Exams for Chartered Accountants, including two years as Chairman of the Board. He later served two terms in Vice-Presidential capacity with the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants, followed by a term as President. After retiring, John sold real estate in Calgary for a few years prior to returning to Winnipeg, where he provided financial consulting services on a variety of Government of Manitoba projects. John finally fully retired in 2018.
Despite John's numerous successes in his career, the most important thing in his life was his family. To his children he stressed integrity, honesty, respect and responsibility, showing by example how to embody these qualities. John leaves us to celebrate a life dedicated to family, love, learning, faith and compassion. Big Honest John will be sadly missed by his family and the many lives touched by his quiet strength, endless generosity and fabulous sense of humour.
John is survived by his loving wife Arlene, daughters Marilyn and Sandra (Ben), sons Kerry (Gail) and Dale, grandchildren Gannon, DanKeisha, Kali, Ian and Douglas, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. John was predeceased by his parents Alec and Lena, and his three sisters Jessie, Ruth and Agnes.
A private family service will be held on August 24th at 1:00 p.m. in Winnipeg, followed by interment at the St. Vital Cemetery. Live streaming of the liturgy will be made available on the Neil Bardal Funeral Centre’s website at www.neilbardalinc.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Heart & Stroke Foundation or to the Winnipeg Humane Society.
John was born in Ninette, Manitoba on August 1, 1933. As a youth, he met and later married the love of his life Arlene (nee Knudson). They were married in Brandon in 1956. John had begun his working career as a baker in Virden, Manitoba and after marrying Arlene they purchased and ran the Souris Bakery for a number of years. John studied to become a Chartered Accountant and was the last of only three students to ever earn the Silver Medal in his third year and the Gold Medal in his fifth year through the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Manitoba. He earned his designation as a Bankruptcy Trustee, as well as a Fellow of Chartered Accountants in multiple provinces and territories. John served on the board of the Interprovincial Board of Examiners for Uniform Final Exams for Chartered Accountants, including two years as Chairman of the Board. He later served two terms in Vice-Presidential capacity with the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants, followed by a term as President. After retiring, John sold real estate in Calgary for a few years prior to returning to Winnipeg, where he provided financial consulting services on a variety of Government of Manitoba projects. John finally fully retired in 2018.
Despite John's numerous successes in his career, the most important thing in his life was his family. To his children he stressed integrity, honesty, respect and responsibility, showing by example how to embody these qualities. John leaves us to celebrate a life dedicated to family, love, learning, faith and compassion. Big Honest John will be sadly missed by his family and the many lives touched by his quiet strength, endless generosity and fabulous sense of humour.
John is survived by his loving wife Arlene, daughters Marilyn and Sandra (Ben), sons Kerry (Gail) and Dale, grandchildren Gannon, DanKeisha, Kali, Ian and Douglas, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. John was predeceased by his parents Alec and Lena, and his three sisters Jessie, Ruth and Agnes.
A private family service will be held on August 24th at 1:00 p.m. in Winnipeg, followed by interment at the St. Vital Cemetery. Live streaming of the liturgy will be made available on the Neil Bardal Funeral Centre’s website at www.neilbardalinc.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Heart & Stroke Foundation or to the Winnipeg Humane Society.