Obituary of Hugh John MacDonald

MacDONALD, Hugh John

It is with great sorrow that the MacDonald family announces the passing of Hugh John MacDonald at his residence on Thursday, November 14^th, 2019, he was in his 85th year.  Hugh was devoted to family.  He was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by his family: Geri McBurney and her daughter Ruth (Jeff).  His children Susan, Kathryn (Ivan) and Ian (Katrina), 11 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.  He is predeceased by his parents Catherine (nee Gerster) & Wellington Alexander MacDonald.  Hugh was very successful and gave back to his community. Hugh was the chief Petty Officer of Cadet College and graduated from Lakefield College as Head Boy in 1955.  Graduated Bishop University as Vice President of student council in 1958 with Golden Mitre Award in 1958.  He was Quarterback of 2 Conference Championships Teams 1955-1956. Captain of all 3 Athletics teams Football, hockey and cricket and all around Athlete for 2 years at Lakefield. Hugh was a teacher at Chippewa Secondary School for 31 years and elected into the North Bay Sports Hall of Fame in 2000 when they chose Hugh as one of the 20 Builders of Sports (Alpine) for the 75 year history of the city of North Bay . Long time coach, executive and official Hugh MacDonald started his coaching career at Chippewa Secondary School in 1963 with the junior football program. In four seasons, his charges won three NDA titles and NOSSA crowns in 1964 and 1966. He also officiated NDA and NFC matches for four seasons. In 1965 he brought golf to the NDA and NOSSA athletic curriculum and coached the Chippewa team for 30 years during which time the school won 10 NDA titles. MacDonald’s major accomplishments were in the sport of alpine skiing. He started coaching the sport in 1977 and headed the Chippewa program from 1982 through 1994 with amazing success. The school won four OFSAA Combined Team titles and three OFSAA Boys’ Team awards as well as 18 NOSSA Combined Team championships and 10 other NOSSA awards. Chippewa also captured 19 NDA Combined titles and 10 other titles as well. In 1993, Chippewa represented Canada in the World High School Alpine Championships and placed fourth out of 20 countries. During his career, MacDonald convened five OFSAA meets and in 1995, he co-convened the Ontario Winter Games alpine program at Collingwood and was Technical Director for the World Special Olympics, also at Collingwood. He was a Level 4 Alpine official - a rarely granted honour, and he received an Ontario Ski Council ‘Outstanding Contribution’ award in 1995. He was also honoured by the Laurentian Ski Club. In all, MacDonald spent over 35 years coaching and working with North Bay’s young people.   During his career as a coach due to the superb athletes these team garnished more than 100 championships.  Charter Volunteer- Heritage Railway and director Pinewood Golf Club for 12 years.  Respecting his wishes cremation has taken place at Forest Lawn Crematorium.  Family will receive friends at the MARTYN FUNERAL HOME on Saturday, November 23^rd from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 1:00 p.m.  If desired, donations to the All Heart Pet Rescue in Powassan would be gratefully acknowledged as expressions of sympathy.  Online condolences at www.martynfh.com