Reginald J. A. (Reg) MacDonald

Mr. Reginald James Alexander (Reg) MacDonald

                              1934-2018

Reginald James Alexander (Reg) MacDonald, husband of Monica (Davidson) MacDonald of Miramichi Bay, N.B. passed away at the Saint John Regional Hospital on Saturday, January 13, 2018, at the age of 83.

Born in Chatham, N.B. on May 29, 1934, he was the son of the late Dilworth and Annabelle (Buckley) MacDonald.  Reg was a devoted and dearly loved husband, father and grandfather.  He began his working career as an electrician and was employed by the Dept. of National Defense (DND) for many years.  Later he was employed by Canadian Westinghouse as a technical sales representative and marketing manager.  Reg left the electrical field and started a lengthy career in provincial politics after being elected to the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick  in a bi-election in 1979.  During his political career he served as a member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) of New Brunswick for Bay du Vin riding and later for the riding of Southwest Miramichi.  During his political career, Reg had a variety of duties and responsibilities in addition to serving as an MLA.  He served on numerous legislative committees;  he served as Party Whip; deputy speaker and later served as a member of cabinet as New Brunswick’s first Minister for Seniors.  Reg became a well-known and respected advocate for seniors and their concerns.  Following retirement from political life in 1999, he was appointed as a Member of the Advisory Council on Aging (NACA); Reg was also very active in the community.  Some of his commitments throughout his life were as :  a founding member of the Miramichi Recreation Council, an active member of St. Michaels By The Sea Roman Catholic Church, Miramichi Bay, N.B.; a member of the local Service District; a school board member; a member of the New Brunswick Electric Service League; a member of the Royal Canadian Legion; Vice President of the New Brunswick Federation of Snowmobile Clubs; a member of the Citizens Advisory Committee for the Atlantic Institution; Director of the Miramichi Senior Citizens Home and representative on the Provincial Nursing Home Assoc.

He is survived by his wife, the former Monica Davidson; two sons, Chris MacDonald (Jane), of Rothesay and Scott MacDonald (Louisianne), of Fredericton; one daughter, Kim MacDonald, of Fredericton; one brother Joseph MacDonald (Rita), of Toronto, Ont.; eight grandchildren, Colin, Shannon, Thomas, Rachel, Daniel Cole, Jacob, Jadon; as well as many nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his first wife, Carmel (MacDonald) MacDonald.

Visitation was held at Adams Funeral Home, 140 King St., Miramichi on Wednesday, Jan. 17^th    Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated from St. Michaels by the Sea Roman Catholic Church, Miramichi Bay, on Thursday, January 18, 2018, at 11 am, with Father Leon Creamer and Father John Keoughan officiating.  Music for the Mass was provided by Norman Young, Bernard & Marilyn Young, Donna Hubbard and Paula Foley and the hymns were “The Old Rugged Cross”, Here I Am Lord, Wind Beneath My Wings”.  The scriptures were read by Doug Young and Wendy O’Donnell .  Prayers of Intercession were led by Donna Hubbard.  The eulogy was offered by Chris MacDonald. The recessional music was “Ashokan Farewell” played by Norman Young.

Premier Brian Gallant and current and former members of the N.B. Legislative Assembly as well as former Premier and Ambassador Frank McKenna and former Premier Camille Theriault and employees of J.D. Irving Limited,  sat as a body for the service.

The honorary pallbearers were Carmen Chapman, Elmer MacDonald, Harold McCann, Eddie MacDonald, Tommy Walsh, Pat Grannan, Marcel Muise.  Active pallbearers were Johnny Russell, Leonard Lloyd, Donny MacDonald, Terry Flanagan, Ray O’Donnell, Alphonse Turbide.  Interment will be in the church cemetery, later in the spring.

As expressions of sympathy, donations to the Miramichi Senior Citizens Home or the Rev. Douglas Smith Memorial Scholarship Fund would be appreciated by the family.  Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Adams Funeral Home Ltd., 140 King St., Miramichi, telephone 773-3492 or messages of condolence may be sent online to www.adams.ca

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