Obituary of Allie MacDonell

 Alfred Thomas “Allie” MacDonell

 March 10, 1930 - May 6, 2023

A proud resident of Belnan his entire life. Dad loved the great outdoors and spent much of his life and sideline life in the forest, logging, hunting, fishing and trapping. He had a great respect for the natural world and taught his children to appreciate nature, to know how to survive, which berries to eat ...oh, and for sure frozen ants are a good protein source for survival. 

His career for most of his working life was trucking, retiring from Imperial Oil in 1986. Though he never stopped working or finding a task that needed doing.  He was known as a bit of an adventurer, the stories will live on in the family history. He and mom saw a lot of the world. But on a local scale his children certainly treasured the camp fishing memories and the camping adventures around the province and elsewhere, and the special adventures to PEI.

Allie loved a good game of cards, time at the cottage, and anytime spent with family and friends and, until his health prevented it, an evening of dancing. He was a great animal lover , particularly horses and dogs. He was well known for his ability to train his devoted sidekicks, specifically Sandy and to a lesser extent the very attractive Jack. 

He raised his children with the idea that the words “I can't”, should not be part of their vocabulary.  It should always be, “I'll try” and eventually,  “I can”.

He was predeceased by his parents, Fred and Murlie ( Gourley) MacDonell, son John and brother George.

Survived by the one and only love of his life , his wife of 67 years, Marlene (Cole), his sister Florence Benere, son Tom (Geraldine), Barrington, daughters Anna (Andy Kenny), Shortts Lake, Peggy ( Ried Hubley), Lakeside, and sons  Peter, Coldstream and Michael ( Natalie), Belnan; as well as 18 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

He had a life well lived and he had strong faith that allows us comfort that he is with those that went before, and he is at peace.

Visitation will be held 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm Friday, May 12^th, in Ettinger Funeral Home, Shubenacadie.

Funeral mass will be at 11am May 13^th in St. Bernard’s Church, Enfield, Father Gerald David officiating.

Interment to follow in Sandy Hill Cemetery, Belnan. Reception will be held in the  Nine Mile River Community Hall, 7160 Highway 14, Nine Mile River.

Tributes, words of comfort and memories of Allie may be shared with the family at www.ettingerfuneralhome.com