MALCOLM EDWARD MACEACHERN

Funeral service for the late Malcolm Edward MacEachern, 91, Antigonish, was held November 14 in St. Ninian Cathedral with Father Donald MacGillivray officiating. Burial will be in Holy Rosary Cemetery, Ballantynes Cove, at a later date.     

Mr. MacEachern died November 11, 2019, in St. Martha’s Regional Hospital.     

Readers at the funeral Mass were Kerry Ann McCarron, Kaye Chisholm and Doreen Grant. Dianne Mills and Lindsey Powell presented the offertory gifts. Eucharistic ministers were Lillian MacEachern, Gregory Fraser and Allan James Boyd. Altar servers were Donald MacLellan, Kenny Pellerin and Bernie Falkenham. Music was provided by St. Ninian Choir and Tyrus Wallace. Members of Antigonish Volunteer Fire Department formed an honour guard.     

Active pallbearers were Allan Anderson, Calum MacDonald, Jamie MacEachern, Andrew MacEachern, Darrell MacEachern and Gerard Gillis.     

Honorary pallbearers were Daniel MacEachern, Allan Roberts, Jackie MacEachern, Ronald Boyd, Jamie MacGillivray, Finley Brophy, Bobby Kell, Ed Grant, Gary Chisholm, Jackie ‘Twin’ MacEachern, Billy ‘Twin’ MacEachern, Carroll Boyd, Cameron MacKenzie, Gussie MacInnis and Donnie ‘A. B.’ MacIsaac.     

Born in Cape George, he was a son of the late Sandy Malcolm and Mary Kate (MacDougall) MacEachern. In his early life when his two brothers went overseas, he stayed at home to look after the family farm for his mother who was a widower. He began his working career as a fisherman’s helper and went to work in the woods with his friend, Johnny Adams, in Economy hauling logs where he worked his way up to teamster. He had his own truck hauling logs and gravel and worked as a heavy equipment operator during the construction of the Canso Causeway. He then went to Knob Lake, Quebec to work on the construction of the airport and runway. Upon completion of this project, he worked for Coca Cola, became manager of Irving Oil in Antigonish and also drove a school bus. He was a member of the Antigonish Town Police Force for many years, eventually holding the position of police chief. He then managed St. George’s Grocery and Fisheries Co-op and was supervisor with National Sea Products. As well, he had his own trucks for hauling seafood for National Sea. At the age of 65, he was still employed, working with Silverwood Construction and Anderson Seafoods. He continued to work in to his mid 80s working at his wood lot. He was a member of the Antigonish Volunteer Fire Department, rising to the rank of deputy chief and donated the land on which the North Shore Fire Department sits. He was a regular blood donar, having Type O. He was a founding member of the Antigonish Snowmobile Club, Scratchman of the Western Union Tug-Of-War Champs 1955-58 and volunteered with the Antigonish Bulldogs. During the winter he built a community rink in his yard complete with lights for all the local kids to enjoy. He was a member of Holy Rosary Church and kept the grounds mowed. He was always giving a helping hand in the community.     

He is survived by six children, James (Veronica), Lakevale; Hugh (Carol), Lakevale; Carmen, Cape George; Linda (Donald) MacDonald, Somers Road; Darlene (Reg MacEachern), Cape George; Sandy, Ballantynes Cove; 10 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; sister, Margie Adams (John), Scarborough, Ontario; many nieces and nephews.     

He was predeceased by his wife, Joan (MacPhie); three brothers, Hughie Bernard, Gillis (Chrissie), Albert (Kaye); three sisters, Angeline (George Grant), Mary Catherine, in infancy; Mary (Ranald Gillis).     

Memorial donations may be made to Holy Rosary Cemetery Fund.     

Online condolences: www.clcurry.com