Whitney Pier, Sydney
We, the family of Edward ‘Eddie’ MacDougall, regret to announce his passing on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at Taigh Solas, Northside General Hospital, North Sydney.
Eddie was born in Brockton, Massachusetts on March 25, 1929, to the late Roderick and Mary (Buchanan) MacDougall. His family returned to Cape Breton the following year and made Whitney Pier their home where Eddie proudly remained during his long and vibrant life.
Eddie worked at various departments at the Sydney Steel Plant over his 40 plus year career, with the majority of his time in the Motor Room, where he was a dedicated and reliable staff member.
Eddie married his sweetheart, Margaret ‘Margie’ in 1958 and the two became inseparable for over six decades. Margie predeceased him in August 2022. During their beautiful marriage, they raised four children, Gordon (Linda) MacDougall, Joyce (Lawrence) O’Brien, Brenda (Todd) Wambolt, and Kevin (Susan) MacDougall. They were blessed with eight grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Besides his parents and wife, Eddie was predeceased by his twin brother, Edmund and younger brother, Fr. John.
Eddie was a big sports fan and active participant; he enjoyed swimming, long distance running, baseball and hockey. He was a fixture at many sporting events in ‘The Pier’ and coached minor hockey for several decades. Eddie always made time to stop and say hello and share a riddle or funny story to anyone along the way.
Eddie spent as much time as possible at Polar Bear Beach where he and his buddies chatted and discussed many topics, as well as planned each month’s dip in the ocean. He was one of the original New Year’s Day polar bear swimmers starting in the early 1970’s. His swimming and running competitions garnered him many trophies and awards but his true reason for his participation was the kinship of the fellow racers.
Eddie was a well-known fixture in ‘The Pier’ either running the roads or riding his motorcycle. He was gregarious in nature, so if you were within earshot he would get to know you.
It is time to say goodbye, and we all know Eddie will be greatly missed.
Visitation and memorial service to celebrate the life of Edward MacDougall will be held at Pier Community Funeral Home, 1092 Victoria Rd. (entrance on Church St.), Whitney Pier on Saturday, April 20, 2024. A gathering of family and friends will take place from 1 to 2 p.m. with the memorial service to follow at 2 p.m. in the All Faith Chapel with Fr. Paul Murphy officiating. Interment will take place in New Calvary Cemetery, Whitney Pier, where he will be laid to rest with his wife, parents, and brother.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Eddie, may be made to Cape Breton Regional Patient Care Fund.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Pier Community Funeral Home.
Online Condolences
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I am happy that I got to meet my grand-uncle, Edward last year in Cape Breton. I’ve heard many great stories about him over the years. May he rest in peace.
Sorry for your loss I remember your dad as such a nice man. I grew up on Victoria road.
My condolences to family and friends. Very nice man and very kind. He always was nice to us kids at Polar Bear. My parents knew him well. He will be missed.
My thoughts and most sincere sympathies are extended to all family members and friends. An idol of mine for many years. And an icon in the community of Whitney Pier. He and Margie were fixtures at the local runs. A favorite of mine was the Action Week Road Run. Eddie and Margie would pass out popsicle sticks to the entrants and Eddie’s good friend Peter Hanna would make sure there was food and refreshments for all. A memory I will cherish forever. I will miss you my good friend.
I met Eddie at my first road race over 50 years ago. He encouraged me to keep attending the races, as I do to this day, and attribute this to his years of encouragement. He and Margie gave much to the running community, Eddie with his every lasting encouragement to many runners and Margie for her years of keeping the running stats and watching my children while I ran the race. Run high high up Eddie! My deepest condolences to all the family.
So very sorry to hear of Eddie’s passing, I remember fondly he and Margie’s great contributions to the Cape Breton Road running community. His life journey took him along many roads and for though of us who were lucky to have shared a road with him, we were blessed. Run on good friend.
Our condolences go out to the entire Macdougall family and to everyone feeling the loss of such a great man. He will be missed by everyone!!!!
Eddie was a stalwart member of the running community for many years. His outgoing good nature and infectious humor were second to none. He and his beautiful wife Margie contributed greatly to the success of our sport. We all stand on the shoulders of those that pass before us – Eddie had very large shoulders indeed! Our thoughts and prayers rest with the MacDougal family.
Sorry to hear of Eddie’s passing. My memories of him go way back. Always playing ball, swimming and riding his motorcycle. He was a great guy. My condolences to the family.
So very sorry for your loss. Wonderful person.
When I started running I ran into the older crowd of Eddie and Peter Hanna. Eddie was game for a long swim or run. He loved a challenge. He swam all year round at Polar Bear. He even inspired a group of runners in the Cabot Trail Relay to be called Eddie’s Eagles. Eddie loved to coach the little kids in the Tots program for Whitney Pier Hockey and endeared himself to them all.
The first time I met Eddie was at The Cabot Trail Relay Race. We both signed on for Leg 1. Although Eddie was almost twenty years older, he acted like a kid. We did that same dance on Leg 1 for many years. When I’d see him I’d ask how he was doing and he’d always reply, “Good boy, good. Three square meals a day and I’m sleeping with the cook”. A nicer man you would never meet. Funny as all get out. He used to say, because we started out doing leg 1, we had, “snority”. He hung with a great bunch of people, Dave and Sandra Gabriel, Peter Hanna to name but a few. I’ll always have a warm spot in my heart for a man who knew how to live a great life.
Our heartfelt prayers go out to the entire MacDougall family. Losing a parent is quite a painful event in someone’s life. Edward was such an amazing athlete and his accomplishments in the world of running, swimming, and biking will continue to live on. I am grateful I had the pleasure of spending time with him last summer. You will be remembered for your undying courage and determination to always come out on top. You will now be with my mother and father, in heaven, recounting old memories of athleticism and competitions. Rest in peace Uncle Edward. God bless to you all.
What can I say about Eddie,he and his lovely wife ,Margie were at
every road race.Encouraging all runners,young and old.He was a terrific
guy.A friend to everyone!
We are very sorry for your loss.
Gordie and Linda, my thoughts are with you and family at this difficult time! Those wonderful memories will keep him close in your hearts.
To Eddie’s family,
Very sorry for the recent loss of your dear Eddie. We would see him at Tim’s or riding on his beloved motorcycle. Eddie always had a smile & a positive attitude. Good memories of a good man. We were sad to read of his passing. Please accept our deepest condolences.
Gordie, Joyce, Brenda, Kevin & Family
Our deepest condolences. He was a big presence in our life and many more.
RIP
Condolences to the entire MacDougall family. I was sorry to hear of the passing of Uncle Edward. He reminded me of my father, Edmund, when I visited him last summer in Cape Breton after 48 years. Their personalities were the same. I can see them now together playing ball and hockey in a better place. Just like the good ole days. Uncle Edward was an amazing athlete and lived a full life doing what he loved.
“Gus am Bris an Latha”
Our love to all the MacDougall cousins.
Janet, Juliet and Alexandra Shinney
Deepest sympathy to all family & friends. Eddie inspired me to always keep walking, I would love catching up with him on Victoria Road. Such a nice man. 💐💐💐💐
Hugs
Doddy & Bobby
To Gordie,Joyce,and families,we are so sad to hear of Eddie’s passing.I think everyone from the Pier knew Eddie!!I remember when I was a teenager,myself and Billy Barrington had the exact motorcycle as your Dad and he would always pull over to have a chat about our bikes whenever he saw us hanging around Pat’s Dairy.I will always remember him running through the Pier.RIP Eddie
To the family, so very sorry to hear of the passing of your great Dad.
I’m very sorry not having the opportunity to pay my respects, it would have been wonderful to see you all.
Being from the neighbourhood and knowing your Dad and all of you so well. I have great memories hanging with you Joyce and the sleepovers. Both of your parents were great people! My deepest condolences. May he rest in peace.