Alexander MacDonald

MacDonald, Alexander, 87, died July 14, 2014. Born in Glencoe Mills in Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia and formerly of Detroit, MI. Born tenth of the twelve children of the late Sara Jane McNamara and John Alexander (Soec) MacDonald. Preceded in death by his wife, (Flora) Jessie Campbell of Judique, Nova Scotia. Survived by his sister, Rita (Elliott) Henry of Halifax Nova Scotia; his three sons: David (Nancy) MacDonald, Dennis MacDonald, Theodore (Claudia) MacDonald and two daughters: Linda MacDonald (Edward Charlton) and Donna MacDonald (Brendan Ronayne) and former wife Rose Deagle. Proud grandfather of six - Jennifer Lynn, Jeffrey Alexander, Kaley Clare, Jessie Campbell, Maggie Elizabeth, and Griffin George. Loving uncle to numerous nieces and nephews. Alec was predeceased by the following siblings: Ronald Joseph, John, Daniel Alfred, Annie Jane, George William, Mary Frances, Maurice James, Laura Gertrude, Jessie Margaret, Allan Gerard, and nephew Daniel (D.A). Alec came to Detroit in 1948 via the Windsor tunnel. He work for the Borden’s Corporation, a Michigan-based dairy company, in Madison Heights (MI) for 41 years before retiring in 1992. He and his wife, Jessie, lived 27 years on Carson Avenue in southwest Detroit. Surrounded by other Cape Bretoners and relatives in the neighboring blocks, they raised three boys and two daughters. At one point, Alec was secretary for the United Dairy Workers Union, president of the Nova Scotia Club of Detroit, a long standing member of the secular Franciscans, and an usher at Saint Gabriel’s Parish for decades. He was a man of strong faith. He loved a joke and was famous for baking — his cookies, banana bread, apple pies, and oatmeal squares were renown. Alec was proud of his Scottish heritage and the beautiful island of Cape Breton. He loved his grandchildren fiercely and talked about them to others whenever the opportunity presented. Finally at peace, Alec left the world on his 87th birthday, with the knowledge that a ceilidh awaited him in heaven. Visitation Wednesday July 16, 2014 from 2:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Schrader-Howell Funeral Home 280 South Main Street Plymouth, MI 48170. In state Thursday, July 17, 2014 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church 411 Florence Street Ypsilanti, MI 48197. MASS at 2:00 p.m. Memorial donations to: The Roosevelt House, c/o Ken Yamamoto, 2138 Roosevelt Ypsilanti, MI 48197. A luncheon will be held at the conclusion of the mass at the Ladies Literary Club, 218 North Washington Street, Ypsilanti( Two blocks south of church) . Entombment Our Lady of Hope Cemetery in Brownstown Twp, MI.