Westmount
We, the family of John William ‘Benson’ MacDonald of Westmount, announce his passing on Saturday, August 8, 2020 at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney at the age of 78 years.
Born on January 10, 1942 in Glace Bay, John was the son of the late Angus and Mabel (Morrison) MacDonald.
Dad was a well-respected man around Westmount, always willing to help anyone. John spent many years coaching the Westmount Angels and making sure the ballfields were ready to play on. A coalminer from Glace Bay, John was a man who loved his wife, Carmella and their six children. Over the year’s Dad liked to play darts at the Point Edward Hall and the Westside Legion. He was a member of the Dobson Yacht Club. John will be missed by all who knew him.
John is survived by his brothers, Angus and James; sisters, Agnes and Peggy; children, Sharon (Rooster Hill), John, Michael (Melanie), Valerie, Gerald, Sheldon (Diane)and his grandchildren, Courtney ‘his baby’, Danielle, Stephanie, Judith, Brianna and Kirk (Katrina) and their children, Chase, Lucas and James.
Besides his parents, John was predeceased by his loving wife, Carmella (MacLeod) MacDonald and brother, William.
The family of John MacDonald would like to thank the staff of 4B at the CBRH for taking care of Dad over the last five months during this difficult time.
Visitation and memorial service to celebrate the life of John MacDonald will be held at Pier Community Funeral Home, 1092 Victoria Rd. (entrance on Church St.) Whitney Pier on Wednesday, August 12, 2020. A gathering of family and friends will take place from 11 a.m. to 12 noon with the memorial service to follow at 12 noon in the All Faith Chapel with Rev. Sheldon Chant officiating. Interment will take place at Forest Haven Memorial Gardens, Sydney.
Donations in memory of John may be made to a charity of one’s choice.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Pier Community Funeral Home.
Online Condolences
We are all so sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. He was a kind and gentle man who always made time for everyone. He was a great neighbour and we all have great memories of him .
RIP Bensen, you will be dearly missed .
Dena, Bernie Jr, Laurie & Karen
From: Laurie
R.I.P My good friend. You made a lot of people smile, you were always there to help and to lend a hand. I drove you home many times and said to you john you have to get out of the truck when we get to your house, and you always said yes Lenny .. but every time i got you home you had another wonderful stories to tell…lol… i will miss them wonderful stories. You spent many wonderful years at Dobson doing a great job and been there for so many friends and strangers that were passing through. We have the helm now so you R.I.P. You will be missed my one and all. See you again some day my good friend. God Bless everyone…
R.I.P My good friend. You made a lot of people smile, you were always there to help and to lend a hand. I drove you home many times and said to you john you have to get out of the truck when we get to your house, and you always said yes Lenny .. but every time i got you home you had another wonderful stories to tell…lol… i will miss them wonderful stories. You spent many wonderful years at Dobson doing a great job and been there for so many friends and strangers that were passing through. We have the helm now so you R.I.P. You will be missed my one and all. See you again some day my good friend. God Bless everyone…
My loving Uncle John!!! We shouldn’t have favorites but he was mine…Living in Boston Massachusetts I couldn’t get up there much but when i did, he was the first one I visited…His Wisdom, life knowledge, Modesty and love is what i seeked and I’m sure others seeked this as well. Will value this for the rest of my life. My love to all my cousins up there who were lucky to have such an incredible man to be their father.
With Most Love,
Denise Marie Carriero (MacDonald)
John was an amazing man who showed us and our boys so much love. He was chosen family and we will painfully miss him.Our home will never be the same without John.
I just want to remind everyone of the great community service John provided in Westmount during the 1970’s and 80’s. John was instrumental in helping the Westside Angels win three city Little League championships, providing endless hours of pitching to hitters and with field preparation. John always had the field ready for the players, through raking, rolling and lining the field. The field preparation was usually done after the team practiced, so it wasn’t uncommon to see John on the field for five hours or more. He also provided the lining of the field for the Westside Buckeyes mens’ softball team as well. He did this during the summer, over a span of more than ten years. Always indebted to you, John, for your unselfish service. That was many years ago, but it hasn’t been forgotten!
Sincere Condolences Courtney and Family, I only read this in the Cape Breton Post. You will miss him so much, but you were a wonderful granddaughter. You are in my thoughts and prayers.