May 11, 1942 - January 30, 2024
After a sudden hospitalization and complications with cancer and surrounded by family and friends, John Reddin MacDonald passed on Tuesday, January 30th. With peace, love and honouring treasured memories, we say goodbye and remember his life, his friendliness and compassion, his strength and guidance through words or silence, his love of family and of course, the game of golf.
Born on May 11, 1942 in Saint John, New Brunswick and growing up in Calgary attending St. Mary's High School, right through to his passing, John was a fan of sport - golf, basketball and hockey.
As sweethearts at 14 and 16 years of age, John met Cheryl, his life partner and loving wife of 58 years. Living in California for several years to attend college and play golf, John and Cheryl have many memories of their friendship with Garth and Vicki Mason (Tyler) that has lasted until present day.
Returning to Canada in the late 1960s and living in Burnaby and Vancouver, John and Cheryl moved to White Rock in 1974, where daughters Andrea (Chris and Alex) and Alison grew up. Their relationship and love through happiness and hardship is treasured and always remembered by their daughters and the encouragement and support shown to them whatever their goals or dreams is always appreciated.
Memories of family vacations, university graduations, Andrea and Chris' wedding at Nipika amongst family and friends, their granddaughter Alexandra's birth, their 50th anniversary party and trips to Invermere and Christina Lake were some of the cherished times spent.
Family members remembering and missing John include brother Pat MacDonald, wife Dianne and family, brother-in-law Gene Nutter and family, sister-in-laws Maureen Bowlen and Dolores Hoover and family, and many nieces and nephews. In addition, we would like to thank many golfing and curling friends (The Legends) and our neighbors for their thoughtfulness, support, encouragement, love, memories, visits and prayers.
In addition, the family thanks the doctors and nurses at Peace Arch Hospital and Royal Columbian Hospital for their care and expertise.
Besides family, was John's love of all things golf. Through formative years with his Uncle Lefty and obtaining his first set of clubs, through his time at Sacramento State and his many years and golfing buddies at Peace Portal and Bellingham, a passion endured for the love of the game. The focus and discipline, the fun and friendship with regular golfing partners or strangers, the spirit to both compete as well as enjoy the peace and beauty of the 18-hole walk.
His golf vacations to Scotland with long-standing friends from Peace Portal and to California with Mom stand out as great memories - both of golf and friendship. Among tournaments, trips and many hole-in-ones to watching the best on TV and reading about the game, he built lifelong friendships and lived his sport with all part of his physical and mental being - from his best play right up to recent years where he continued his walk of the course and search for golf balls.
As family, we all shared a part of Dad with golf and seeing his enjoyment and passion was shared and appreciated in all of us.
With enduring love, memories and gratitude for his life, we part with John, Dad, JR, in the words of a friend, to meet his golf course in the sky.
A Celebration of Life gathering to take place at a later date.