MACDONALD, Hugh
June 26, 1927 - Feb. 13, 2017
It is with broken hearts that we announce that Hugh MacDonald has passed away peacefully on Monday, February 13, 2017, and has gone to his heavenly home at the age of 89 years. Hugh was born on a farm west of Edmonton and South of Spruce Grove in the school district of Graminia, Alberta. He was the youngest of five children. His mother passed away when he was 12 years old and his father sold the farm, moving his family to Edmonton. Hugh joined the YMCA and was introduced to the sport of boxing; he did so well that he won the City of Edmonton School Boy Boxing Championship. He was awarded a Trophy by the famous Joe Louis, who had stopped in Edmonton with the American Army on the way to Alaska during the war. He continued to excel in boxing and won many medals and trophies: Alberta Provincial Amateur Champion - 1944, Alberta Provincial Amateur Lightweight Champion - 1945, Alberta Provincial Amateur Welterweight Champion - 1946, Alberta Provincial Amateur Middleweight Champion - 1947, 1948, 1949, Alberta Provincial Amateur Golden Gloves Champion - 1950. Hugh is a member of the City of Edmonton Sports Hall of fame. When he joined the City of Edmonton Fire Department, he was required to relinquish the sport. It was in this time of his life that he was reunited with his grade 6 sweetheart whom he married, Marybelle Dolighan. Together they had five children. Hugh quit the Fire Department and provided for his family as a tradesman in construction as a plasterer, which he loved. Many buildings in Edmonton contain his works of art with beautiful mouldings and still look lovely to this day. As his family grew he rented a summer cottage each year at Gull Lake, they discovered the nice town of Lacombe with a lovely, grand heritage home that was for sale. Hugh bought the house and sold the one in Edmonton and moved his family to Lacombe. The family loved Lacombe, although Hugh always worked in the City of Red Deer. When he retired; being an avid hunter and fisherman; he took up the hobby of taxidermy and mounted many beautiful species of birds and fish. He also made butterfly and pressed flower pictures. Everything Hugh did, he did well. Hugh was a humble man, always so kind and considerate of others. He had a very happy personality and kept his family living with love, laughter, and many happy memories. He will be forever loved by his wife of 64 years Marybelle; his children, Shannon (Wayne) Brown, Heather (Rich) Bowie, Rod (Catherine) MacDonald, Keltie (Dominic) Hollman, Casey (Tammy) MacDonald and his grandchildren Ryan (Audra) Brown, Heidi (Ryan) Bowie, Hugh (Sarah) Bowie, Rochelle Hollman, Holly Hollman, Kyle MacDonald, Kaelan MacDonald, Keegan MacDonald, and great grandchildren Trent Brown, David Brown, Hayley Bowie and Hayden Bowie. He is survived by his sister in-laws and brother in-laws Elzine and Burton Hennig of Westbank, BC, Sharon and Bob McMaster of Edmonton, a special nephew John (Susan) Dolanz of Kelowna, BC, and many other nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at St. Andrew's United Church Thursday, February 23, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. No flowers please. If one wishes a donation may be made in Hugh's honor to the Lacombe Food Bank, 5225 53 Street, Lacombe, AB T4L 1H8. An interment will be held in Lacombe Cemetery with only his immediate family in attendance at a later date. Condolences may be forwarded to the family by visiting www.eventidefuneralchapels.com.
Arrangements entrusted to
EVENTIDE FUNERAL HOME
4820 - 45 Street, Red Deer.
Phone (403) 347-2222