JULIAN HUGH MCDONALD

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JULIAN HUGH MCDONALD Julian Hugh McDonald, of Winnipeg, Manitoba, passed away peacefully at the St. Norbert Personal Care Home on April 1, 2008. Hugh was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on September 16, 1927, the youngest son of the late John Hamilton and Marion Cecil McDonald. He was predeceased in 2000 by the love of his life, his beloved wife of 42 years, Diane Mary McDonald. He was also predeceased by his sister Marion, and his brother Ian (Janet). Hugh is survived by his children: Elizabeth Gage (Gord) and grandchildren Sarah and Christopher of Winnipeg; Donald (Teresa) and grandchildren Nicholas, Rebecca, Davis, and Madeleine of Calabasas, CA; Gillian Quinn of Breckenridge, CO; Heidi McSweeney (Michael) and grandchildren Benjamin and Connor of Ottawa; and Heather Stefanson (Jason) and grandchildren Victoria and Thomas of Winnipeg. He is also survived by his sisters Elizabeth Armytage of Winnipeg, and Cynthia (Andrew) Hunter of London, Ont., along with many cousins, nieces and nephews. Hugh was raised in Winnipeg and received his early education at Tuxedo Public School and Bishop Ridley College, prior to joining The Royal Canadian Naval College in 1944. After the war he enrolled in studies at University of Manitoba, graduating from the Faculty of Law in 1952. Hugh then began his law career at the firm Thompson Dorfman Sweatman and after several energizing years left the firm to join the family business. Hugh had many business endeavors throughout his long tenure as President of the McDonald Grain Company Ltd. These activities primarily led him into real estate development where he spent over 25 years building and developing the residential sub-divisions north of Winnipeg in the rural municipality of East St. Paul. In addition, there are a variety of residential and storage facilities within Winnipeg which still owe their origins to Hugh's intensive activities and calculating insight. Early on in life, Hugh's keen interests in community responsibility led to his passionate involvement in charity work and eventually politics. Hugh became an active member of the Progressive Conservative Party, and sought election to the Manitoba Legislature. Over the course of his life, Hugh was active in all provincial and federal elections. Few people loved Manitoba and Winnipeg more than Hugh did, and he spoke passionately about his city and province to anyone he came into contact with throughout his extensive travels in Canada and abroad. Never far from his heart was the Winnipeg Squash Racquet Club where he was an original Life Member and keen sportsman. Hugh was a devoted father and an incredible family man. His loving children were the beneficiaries of several trips throughout North America in the family motor home, often enjoying preferred parking status at many of the continent's finest ski resorts and beaches. From an early age Hugh developed a passion for Lake of the Woods, where he spent over six decades of summers at the family camp, Nebinitawin. For over 40 years, he, Diane, and their children were able to experience the beauty of the Lake together, and share many good times with family friends and relatives. Hugh loved to entertain and Neb was the preferred location for many great parties and family weddings held over the years. Lake life also brought out the passion Hugh had for sailing and later, tennis, both of which he keenly pursued through his membership and leadership in the Royal Lake of the Woods Yacht Club. Hugh loved his community, cherished his Scottish heritage and was an active parishioner of St. George's Anglican Church and a proud member of The St. Andrew's Society. Hugh knew and understood the importance of giving back to the community and never shied away from participating in his community's life. He was a past Chairman of the Board at Balmoral Hall School, past board member of Ridley College, past Chairman of the Children's Hospital Research Foundation, past board member of the Health Science Centre Research Foundation, and an Honorary Life member of the PC Party of Manitoba. Hugh will be remembered and loved for his good-natured disposition, keen sense of humor, natural cleverness, value of tradition and above all, for the love he showed towards family and friends. He will be sorely missed by his children, grandchildren, friends and relatives, all of whom take solace in knowing he is now at peace and with Diane watching over all of us. A celebration of Hugh's life will be held at St. George's Anglican Church, 168 Wilton Street at Grosvenor, on Friday April 11, 2008, at 1:30 p.m., followed by interment at St. John's Cathedral and reception at The Manitoba Club. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Children's Hospital Foundation, CE 501-840 Sherbrook St., Winnipeg, MB R3A 1S1. THOMSON FUNERAL HOME 669 Broadway~783-7211 www.thomsonfuneralchapel.com Life stories may be shared with friends and family across the globe at www.mem.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 05, 2008