GORDON THOMAS MACDONELL

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

GORDON THOMAS MACDONELL (January 2, 1908 - May 17, 2004) Passed away peacefully, after a brief illness, at the St. Boniface Hospital, at age 96 years. He was predeceased by his parents, Martha Mathilde and Alexander Angus; his sister Ruth (McCrea) three brothers, John, George and Walter; and his first wife of 48 years, Ethel (Hubble). He leaves to cherish his memory, his second wife of 22 years Doris (Fraser) one son Douglas (Lynn) two daughters, Joan Kullman (Bill) and Lynne Pinterics (Jean Tinling) grandsons, Miska, Matthew and Gregory, granddaughters, Natasha, Kristin and Monique; four great-granddaughters; two sisters-in-law, Norma MacDonell of Winnipeg and Peggy MacDonell of Thunder Bay plus numerous nieces and nephews. He grew up in the St. Johns district of Winnipeg, on Scotia Street, attended Luxton Elementary and St. Johns High School, and earned degrees of B.A., B.Ed, and M. Ed from the University of Manitoba. Having earned his first degree in 1927, and having graduated from Normal School in 1927, he began his teaching career as the teaching principal of the four room school in Lundar, MB at the youthful age of twenty years, teaching all high school subjects in his grade 9-11 home room. He began his 44 year career with the Winnipeg School Division in 1929. He was a teacher in General Wolfe Junior High School and then in Daniel McIntyre Collegiate until 1942 when he began four years of military service in Canada and Europe. This included a year with the Winnipeg Light Infantry in Vernon, BC, staff training at RMC in Kingston, staff duties with Canadian Army H.Q. in Europe, and a term teaching in Khaki College in England. After the war he returned to Daniel McIntyre briefly, then spent six years as Principal at George V School, one year as vice-principal of the Technical Vocational High School, and the following eighteen years as Superintendent of Secondary Schools, retiring in 1972. He was active in the Manitoba Teachers Society, and later he was one of the founding members of the Manitoba Association of School Superintendents. In the 1950s he was also a founding member of the Citizenship Council of Manitoba with which he continued to have a connection for over 40 years. Since retirement he has been an active member of the United Nations Association, most recently promoting the establishment of a United Nations Chair serving Manitoba Universities, and a Public Speaking Competition for students in elementary and secondary schools. He has served as a member of the Board for twenty years. Throughout his adult life, he supported a variety of organizations and causes, including the Red River Co-op (a founding member in 1939), The Funeral Planning and Memorial Society, The Manitoba Association of Rights and Liberties, the Manitoba Historical Society, and the Canadian Institute for International Affairs. He had a church connection all his life (St. Johns United, Crescentwood Ft. Rouge United, St. Andrews United, Broadway Disciples United, and through his wife Doris, All Saints Anglican). The family would like to thank the nursing staff at St. Boniface hospital for their wonderful care and ensuring that when Doris was admitted to hospital, they could be together for his last two days. We would especially like to thank Patrick for his gentle care of Gordon during the nights. Thanks also to the home care providers who cared for him during the last few months. At his request, there will be no formal funeral service. Cremation has taken place. Friends are cordially invited to join members of the family in a celebration of his life and a time of remembering, at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 22 at the Holiday Inn South at McGillavry. In lieu of flowers, donations would be gratefully accepted to the United Nations Association, Winnipeg Branch, care of the U of W Library, 515 Portage Ave. R3B 2E9.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 22, 2004