Vincent Joseph McDonald
May 22nd, 2015
Vincent Joseph McDonald was born on February 11, 1930 to William Joseph and Theresa Mary (O’Keefe) in St Andrews West, Ontario. Dad lived and worked on the family dairy farm until 1948, when he travelled West on a harvest excursion. After which, he began working at the Mercury Oil Refinery in Royalties, Alberta. There, Dad met Darlene Porter and they married on May 8, 1954 in Black Diamond, Alberta. They began a family and enjoyed many friends and good times while there. Dad worked at several other gas plants in Alberta (Jefferson Lake, Fort Saskatchewan) before finally settling at Home Oil in Carstairs. After retiring in 1986, Dad and Mom enjoyed the simple life. Camping, card games, parades, rodeos and road trips were mainstays for Dad.
Vincent is survived by his beloved wife, Darlene; children, Gail, David (Donna), Elaine (Michael), Karen; grandchildren, Carissa, Carla, Ryan, Raven, Callie, Reggie, Andrew and Alison; and great-grandchildren, Keegan, Gavyn, Brody, Carmen, Dallas and Nash. He will also be missed by his sisters, Monica (Bill), Mildred, Margaret (Charles), Agnes (David); and sisters-in-law, Barb Porter, Jean and Rachelle.
Dad was predeceased by his precious daughter, Carol; his mother and father; mother and father in-law (Josephine and Charles Porter); brothers, Howard, Malcolm, Maynard; and brothers in-law, Max and Jim Porter and Ralph Harrington.
A Graveside Service will be held at Okotoks Cemetery, Okotoks, AB on Saturday, May 30, 2015 at 1:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Vincent's memory to Alzheimer's Society of Canada, #201, 222 - 58 Avenue SW, Calgary, AB, T2H 2S3.
“Death leaves a heartache that no one can heal, love leaves a memory that no one can steal.”
Messages:
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Thanks Gail for having Vince say hello on the phone on the 20th. We talked more regularly in the past few years. He never complained even though I'm sure he did not feel well. Love to all. Millie
Thank you being such a good "big brother". I remember my first visit to Alberta with you and Darlene when Gail was a baby.Another time Mom and I visited with you in Carstairs.And Bill and I enjoyed a couple visits with you when you lived in Airdre . May uopu rest in peace .
I have been thinking of my brother, Vince more than usual these past few days. He was married on my first birthday which is also on May 8. We not only had a big difference in our ages but were physically apart in a big way as well, so I didn't have many opportunities to get to know him well. Despite this there was a definite connection every time we did talk. His voice and looks reminded me so much of our dad. I will miss his call at Christmas, and calling him to let him know of some of the family happenings from Ontario. I knew he would never get a computer but now wished he did have one as we might have emailed back and forth. He was always so good at writing letters home to mom and dad. I remember growing up how very happy mom was to hear from him and news of his family. I think he enjoyed his retirement as I remember him saying he wondered how he had had time to work. Rest in peace Vince.
Our deepest Sympathy to all the family. Rest in Peace Vince