WILLIAM CRAIK MCDONALD

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WILLIAM CRAIK MCDONALD On Thursday, February 3, 2005, Bill passed away suddenly at home, having suffered from heart problems for many years. Born to Tom and Grace McDonald in Graysville, MB, May 8, 1921 and raised in Winnipeg, MB. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife Jean (Hunt) and son Tom and his wife Jane and grandsons John and Geoff, and daughter Cathy and husband Ross Broughton and grandchildren Alex, Graham, Jillian and Colin. He was predeceased by his sister Helen (Doug) Brownlow in 1984. He is survived by his sisters Laura and Gordon Smith, Audrey and Bob Smyth and their families. After graduating from Daniel McIntyre Collegiate, he worked briefly with the CNR local freight department and then joined the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals in 1941 and went overseas the same year with the 5th Canadian Armoured Division. The last year and a half of the war were spent in Italy and Holland with a wireless unit attached to the Irish Regiment of Canada. In 1946 enrolled at the University of Manitoba in the Faculty of Agriculture and graduated with the B.Sc. A. in 1950. From 1950 to 1954 the winter months were spent studying at the University of Wisconsin and the summers working at the Dominion Rust Laboratory (now the Agriculture Canada Cereal Research Centre). Obtained his Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from the University of Wisconsin in 1954 and continued his research at the Research Station on the control of diseases of forage, oilseed and cereal crops. In 1967 he spent three months travelling in India as a member of the Canada/India Task Force, assessing agricultural projects to be supported by Maurice Strong's new Canadian International Development Agency. In 1970 he, Jean and family moved to Njoro, Kenya to take part in a program organized by the University of Manitoba to aid the development of agricultural research at the Plant Breeding Station. The assignment was terminated early when he was appointed director of the Agriculture Canada. Research Station at Winnipeg in 1971. In addition to administration work, spent several months in 1976 as a member of the Garrison Dam Committee and in 1979 supervised a CIDA project in Passo Fundo, Brazil. Retired as director in December 1979 and returned to Kenya in 1980 to reinstate the University of Manitoba project at the Plant Breeding Station at Njoro. The assignment continued until September of 1984 when he retired again. Jean and Bill both enjoyed travelling and saw much of the warmer part of the world from early camping trips from coast to coast in Canada and the U.S. with the children, charter flights to Europe, a mail boat trip thru the Caribbean, holidays in Mexico, and the many trips to and from Kenya. The final five month trip home from Kenya covered eight countries in south-east Asia, Australia, New Zealand and Moorea. After retirement they avoided winters by spending time in Hawaii and California. Bill loved playing golf and curling at the Wildewood Club for 35 years. He enjoyed bridge games with a foursome formed after the war and more recently on the net with his sister Laura and others worldwide. Another favourite activity included playing Balderdash with his family. He was proud of the successes made by his children and grandchildren and particularly those made by Jean in her art and crafts career. Without her support, any success they have had over the years would have been impossible. Thanks to Dr. Brian Sharkey for his considerate care over the years and nurse Pat at the Victoria Hospital. At Bill's request cremation has taken place and there will be no formal funeral service. A gathering of family and friends will be held at the Wildewood club on Tuesday afternoon from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. February 8th. No flowers please, but a donation in Bill's name to a charity of your choice can be made. Arrangements entrusted to: VOYAGE FUNERAL HOME CREMATORIUM 1531 Pembina Hwy. 284-7500

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 06, 2005