Sydney
It is with broken hearts that we, the family, announce the sudden passing of our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Nick, age 69, on Tuesday, May 18, 2021 after a courageous and hard-fought battle with cancer.
Nick was the son of the late Ernest and Lillian (LeRoy) MacDonald.
A member of Holy Redeemer parish, Nick was born and raised (and lived most of his life) in Whitney Pier. He worked at the Steel Plant where he made many friends who he always told stories about. Nick married the love of his life, Colleen, and they just celebrated 48 years of marriage. Their “Happy Place” was Ben Eoin Beach where they spent the last 40 summers making beautiful memories.
Family was most important to Nick; he was especially proud of his three children and five grandchildren. Nick was such a fun-loving guy who delighted in pulling pranks; he always loved a good laugh. He had a happy heart and loads of patience, always available to help anyone who needed it. Through the years Nick volunteered with both the Diabetes Association and the MS Society, even taking on a leadership role in both. He was also an avid gardener, a skilled woodworker, a great cook, and was involved in the Sergeants’ Mess and Ben Eoin Beach dart leagues for many years.
Nick is survived by his loving wife, Colleen (O’Reilly); son, Terry (Danielle), Sydney; daughters, Shauna (Trevor) Simmons and Nicole (Gordie) Pettipas, both of Halifax; grandchildren, Sheila, Clara, Monica, Nicholas, and Sage; sisters, Ernestine, Winnipeg, Yvonne (Ron), Sydney, Bobbie (Byron), Kingston, Dee-Dee (Bob), Kingston and Patricia (Greg), Sydney; brothers, Blaine, Kingston and Ronnie, Sydney; sisters-in-law, Suzanne, Montreal and Kathy (Barkley), Sydney; brothers-in-law, Ned, Sydney, Dan (Dorothy) and Kevin (Karen), both of Lower Sackville; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, Nick was predeceased by his in-laws, Edmund and Bridget O’Reilly; brothers, Ernie and Glenn; sister-in-law, Cheryl MacDonald, and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Sheila and Michael Lukeman and favourite furry friend, Buddy.
Cremation has taken place. There will be no visitation for the late Nick MacDonald. Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Friday, August 13, 2021 at 10 a.m. in Holy Redeemer Church, Whitney Pier with Fr. Paul Murphy officiating.
Donations in memory of Nick may be made to a charity of one’s choice.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Pier Community Funeral Home.
“Death Leaves A Heartache No One Can Heal; Love Leaves A Memory No One Can Steal”
Online Condolences
So sorry to hear about Nicky passing away .My prayers are with the family .
From: Colette Thistle LaVigne
Colleen. I am so sad to hear of Nick’s passing. David and I offer our heartfelt sympathy to you and your family for your loss. It was easy to see that you and Nick had something very special together. Our thoughts are with you.
From: Brenda (Matheson) Sawler
To Colleen Macdonald and family, sorry to hear that Nicki passed away, my prayers are with you and your family, with deepest sympathy, Barbara Thistle and family. God be with you
From: Barbara Thistle
So sorry for your loss
From: ROBERT and Ellen chiasson
Dear Colleen,
Gary, Deanna and I offer our sincere condolences to you, Terry, Shauna, Nicole and families. I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers as you navigate these very sad days.
From: Gary and Elaine Evely
Colleen my love and prayers go out to you and your family.
From: Alice McNamara
Colleen and family,
Sincere condolences.
From: Rosalie and Dave Lionais
Coleen and family.
My very deepest sympathy to you all during this very difficult time.
We met Nick a few times over the years and remember his keen sense of humour and kind smile. Please know that my prayers are with you.
From: Iylah MacLeod
Colleen and family, I am sorry to read of Nicks passing. I Knew him from Ben Eoin. He was always smiling and joking. Please accept my condolences. You are in my prayers.
From: joan murphy
Colleen, I was so saddened to hear of Nicks passing, My heart and prayers go out to you and your family. Nick was a good friend and workmate. A man of Faith and principle, he will be missed. You are in my prayers.
From: Joseph Smith
Colleen and family i am so sorry to hear of nicks passing thinking of you all prayers
From: Debby Murray
We were so sad to hear of Nicks passing. He was such a nice person. Always stopping to chat. He took such care of his loving wife and family. He will be definitely missed in Ben Eoin
From: Joanne and George MacDonald
Sorry to hear of Nick’s passing…rest in peace! I’ve not been in touch for a very long time. Actually, Bobbie, Nick’s sister, and I went with each other for awhile many years ago which is why I know Nick.
From: Irven Hillier
So sorry to hear of the passing of Nick. He was such a nice man who went too soon. Our prayers and thoughts are with you Colleen, Terry, Shauna, Nicole and all your family. Regina and Colleen Gillis
From: Regina Gillis
We would like to send our sincere condolences to Colleen and family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
From: Greg & Judy Hynes
Colleen,Terry,Shauna and Nicole…. we were very saddened to hear of Nicks passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this very difficult time. God Bless. The DeGiobbi Family
From: Janet and Michael DeGiobbi
Colleen and family
David and I are deeply sorry for the loss of dear husband, father and grandfather. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this very difficult time.
Our sincere condolences colleen and families Nickie was a great guy will be greatly missed God bless you and your family R.I.P Nick
So sorry to hear of Nick’s passing. He was our next door neighbor growing up, good friends of my family. May he fest in peace, God have mercy on his soul. He and his wife Colleen were good friends to my sisters Marie and Betty as well good friends with my wife Nancy Smith/Epifano. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of sorrow.
We are so sorry to hear of Nick’s passing. Please know that our thoughts are with you at this difficult time. You will miss him. Take care
Colleen, I am so sorry for your loss…xo Love and prayers to your family.💔
So sorry to hear about Nick’s passing. Our thoughts ,love and prayers are with you Colleen and family.Gine way too soon.
So sorry, Colleen and your family, for the passing of Nick. He was such a kind person and loved by all who knew him. Words cannot express how much he is missed both at Jim Mac Court and Ben Eoin Beach. I hear that so much. He was always a wonderful, kind and respected neighbor. God Bless you and your family.
Colleen and family: thoughts and prayers in the most difficult time.
Tom and Glenda Wainwright
Sending much love, sincere condolences, and big comfort hugs òn the loss of your dear Husband, Dad, Grandfather, and Brother. Nick was my next-door neighbour when we were both growing up…hehe certainly was an amazing man!!! I am in deep shock and I feel sooo bad for you all…I will be keeping you ALL in my thoughts and prayers!! God Bless you All!!!!
Coleen and family: Saddened to hear of Nick’s passing. My thoughts are with you and yours during this most difficult time.
Colleen and family, so sorry to hear of Nick’s passing, my deepest condolences to you and your family at this difficult time.
Dearest Colleen, our most heartfelt condolences to you and your family, and to the MacDonald and O’Reilly families on Nick’s passing.
Now free of pain, May He Rest In Peace in the Lord’s loving arms.
Red and Marva
I was so very sorry to hear of Nick’s passing! He was a great person and I will miss his friendly chats on my walks around Ben Eoin Campground. Love and prayers going out to each of you at this very difficult time!
Colleen and family, so sorry to hear of Nick’s passing, our deepest condolences to you and your family. Thoughts and prayers being sent to all
Colleen and family, Tom and I are very sorry to hear of Nick’s passing. He was a fun and loving man and we both have wonderful memories of him. Love and condolences sent to you all at this terrible time.
My heart is broken for you. Nick was so loving, kind, and funny. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Shauna, Trevor and Families….thinking of you all at this difficult time. So sorry for your loss!
So sorry for your loss Colleen & Family, we send our deepest condolences!
So sorry to hear Colleen,sending prayers and hugs to all.God Bless .
Colleen, words can’t express how sorry Gary and I are to hear of Nick’s passing. You and your family are in our hearts, thoughts and prayers. Hugs, my friend.
Deepest sympathy to all!
My deepest condolences to his family and friends ❤ I’m wishing you all the best, stay strong.
Colleen and Family,
We are so sorry for your loss. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
Best regards,
Susan and John Delaney
Sorry for the loss of Uncle Nick. Haven’t seen him in many years but I remember him as a caring man and loved his family. Take care. It’s tough loosing a loved one. I lost my dad back in 2012. Take care, stay strong. No more suffering. He’s at peace now.
Colleen and Family,
So sorry to hear of Nick’s passing, please accept my sincere condolences. Nick was such a sweet man and always smiling.
He will be missed.
Hugs,
Glennis
So sad to hear of Nick passing! It is hard to hear of such tracery when it’s happens to a friend. Condolences to Colleen and family! Hugs and prayers!
To Colleen & Nick’s family, I was shocked to hear of the sudden passing of your precious Nick. I remember him being such a loving, fun loving guy. We will always remember him .
So sad to hear of Nick’s passing. I have so many great memories of growing up on East Broadway. Nicky was always full of fun. I was fortunate to meet him and his family again for the last seven seasons at Ben Eoin Beach..Gail and I will miss our chats with him. Condolences to Colleen and family
Our sincerest condolences to the entire family. We remember well the close connection we all had growing up on East Broadway, especially the friendship of our families in particular my mother Mary and Lillian. Lots of tea bags saturated there. Take good care!
Colleen and family I am very sorry to read of Nick’s passing. We had some good times in Ben Eoin and great memories, prayers and hugs.
Colleen and family. Darrell and I are deeply saddened to hear of Nick’s passing. Darrell and his kids will forever cherish the fond memories of time spent together.
Dear Colleen, Terry, Shauna, Nicole & Families;
We are deeply saddened and sorry to hear of Nick’s passing. He was a
kind and generous neighbour, and a friend to us in Ben Eoin. We enjoyed his wonderful sense of humour.
Sincerely, Gina, Pat & Katherine Murphy
Colleen and Family, our sincere condolences on Nick’s passing. Hard to lose a good friend. Lots of great memories over the years. May he rest in peace. Sending our love and prayers to all of you.
My condolences to your family and my uncle Nick who I have never meet, blessed be and be free.
Love always Bill,Samantha and Sebastian MacLean
Colleen, I was so saddened to hear of Nicks passing. My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. Nick was a good friend and workmate. A man of faith and principles, he will be missed by all who knew him.
Our hearts are just broken for you and your family Colleen. You are both well loved for sure. May the Holy Spirit be your guide through this.
We offer our sincere condolences to the entire family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time
Colleen and family
We loved our little chats with Nick ,always an inspiration.
He always left us smiling .
Love and Prayers for your family
Patsy and Ronnie Lee
Nicole
Sincere condolences to you and your entire family.
Our heartfelt condolences to all of you.
Thinking of you and sending caring thoughts.
Colleen and family Please accept our deepest sympathy on your loss . Our prayers go out to you and your family.
We will always remember him at darts at the mess. RIP Nick❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏
Colleen and family Marlowe and I are so sorry to hear of Nicks passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Sending hugs
I worked with Nick at the Docks at Sysco.
He was a pleasant and kind person. A typical Pier lad.
MY sympathy to the family.
Deepest Sympathy
A.F.F.A.
Doddy & Bobby Keel
Truro N.S. ( Whitney Pier)
Very sorry to hear of Nick,s passing .My sympathy to Colleen and family. Donna Burke
So sorry to hear of Nick’s passing my prays are with you RIP Nickie
Dear Colleen and MacDonald Family
I am shocked and saddened to read about Nickie’s passing. Colleen ,we went through school together and Nickie’s family were our neighbors. I can’t imagine the loss all of you are feeling at this time. May God bless you and hold you in the palm of his hand
Oh Colleen dear, I am so saddened to hear of Nicks passing.He was so kind ,loving, funny & easy going.My heart is broken for you& your family.My sincere condolences.You are in my thoughts & prayers .
WithLove & Friendship,
Martha
My deepest sympathy, RIP Nick. My prayers to the family.
Coleen , Valerie and I were so sad to hear of Nicks passing . He was a great guy , full of life, always up for whatever was going. You and your family have our deepest condolences. You are in our thoughts every day
Coleen and family;
Growing up in the Pier was highlighted by being a friend of Nicks, and of course, his two beautiful sisters, Bobbie and DeeDee.
Nick was the most pleasant, easy going guy, full of fun and mischief. He touched countless people in a remarkable way. Always positive, bright and cheerful. So very saddened to hear of his passing.
Colleen and Family.
My deepest sympathy on such a huge loss. Words are not enough at a time like this. When we worked at St Rita ‘s I remember thinking what a beautiful couple you and Nick always were. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
We send our sincere condolences to you Colleen and your family and to your sister Cathy and her husband Barkley. We know that you were all very close to each other. We were very surprised to read of Nick’s passing and out hearts go out to you. Tom knew Nick from working at Sydney Steel and Tom and I got to know you both through Kathy & Barkley and we always enjoyed your company. It is never easy to lose a loved one and words can never make it better! Know that we are thinking of you and sending a prayer your way !! Sincerely Marie & Tom Wilson