Surrounded by his family, Dr. Joseph Peter McDonald passed away peacefully on the 17 of June 2015. He is survived by his wife of 50 yrs, June McDonald, daughter Morgan (Steve), son Patrick (Jennifer), daughter Lindsay (Ahmed), daughter Alix and six grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters Florence, Kathaleen, Joan and predeceased by his brother Ed and Sister Marie. Born in Calgary on 18 May 1938, the son of Peter and Margaret McDonald, Joe moved as a young boy to Victoria in 1941 so his father could serve in the WW2. Dr. McDonald started his formal education at St Anne’s Academy and later at St. Louis College. He received his Bachelor of Education from University of Victoria, a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Calgary, a Master’s Degree in Sociology from Florida State University, followed by his Doctorate of Philosophy in International Intercultural Education. Whether he was a teacher, principle, superintendent or employee for CIDA and USAID, Dr. McDonald dedicated his life to the educational improvement in under developed communities. Through the years, his life’s work took him international, including Jamaica and Botswana, finally returning him to Canada to retire with his family and friends. Joe was dedicated to his wife and family, the love of travelling, and the fulfillment of life until the very end. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to the educational charity of your choice or to Victoria Hospice for their wonderful care of Joe.
A Celebration of Life will be held at McCall Bros., Johnson at Vancouver Street on 26 June 2015 at 3:30 pm. Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Bros. Funeral Home
-
Ted and Anne Keiser
-
Sonia Rees, Dear June and Family: All that is most precious to remember has saddened my heart too !! May the loving memories you have of Joe comfort you in the days ahead….Thinking of YOU with Deepest Sympathy, caring, warm friendship and .Love……Sonia Rees
-
Mitzi Prentice It was a pleasure to have known Joe. He was a lot of fun and always had a smile on his face. June, I am very sorry for your loss and express to you and your family my sincere sympathy.
-
Rob and Lorraine Stevens So sorry for your loss . You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers
-
Keri Haley and family To the entire McDonald family, sending our thoughts and prayers as you celebrate Joe’s life. He was an inspiration to you all and others as well. I found it incredibly special that he thought enough to send me a congratulatory message last year when I graduated with my Ph.D. He clearly valued the importance of education and I appreciated his thoughtfulness in reaching out from Canada to let me know.
-
John & Bette Redfern To June & family, so very sorry to hear of Joe’s passing. I had always hoped we might connect again, and didn’t know you were back in Canada. I heard from Joan & Kathy occassionally about your moves & Joe’s career. I had hoped he would be my Bestman in 1956, but he had to decline, but did drive the wedding car(courtesy of one of his brothers-in-law)
We hope you all find peace knowing Joe was so loyal & proud of his family, and in his chosen career.Best wishes from John & Bette(Beattie) REDFERN.
Such wonderful and loving thoughts we have of that outstanding, thoughtful, and caring man. I fell in love with him the first time he hugged me. Our stay with Joe and his family in Italy was one of the most wonderful and memorable times of our life, I’m sure Joe and my precious son, who took us there, are together. laughing and talking, Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
With much love From Us Both,
Ted and Annie