Joseph Orville MacKinnon Obituary
Joe was born in Green Valley, Glegary County, Ontario on November 3, 1927. He was the son of the late D. Alexander and Ellen (MacDonnell) MacKinnon and loving husband of Theresa “Terry” (Mancuso) MacKinnon for 35 years.
Joe was very adventurous. He had the great pleasure of visiting many places and his journeys took him through England, Ireland, Scotland, Norway, Sweden, Greenland, Iceland, Holland, Denmark, Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Spain, Gibraltar, Tangiers, Portugal, Austria, Italy, Malta, Sardinia, Switzerland, Libya, Bermuda, Azores, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Cuba and all throughout the USA. This sense of adventure carried on and Joe started building his own aircraft in 1992, a Kitfox Model IV, completed the project and took his first flight in 1997. He was meticulous in the build, as it was in many things in Joe’s life. He flew for 2 glorious years until crashing at a small airstrip near Havelock and miraculously walking away with minor injuries.
Joe “wore many hats” over the years in terms of his career. He was a Veteran and served in the Royal Canadian Air Force, he was a Merchant Sailor, a Railroader, a Commercial Pilot of a water bomber that put out fires, he owned his own business with Sussex Sewing Centre and finished his workdays at the Potash Mine, retiring in December of 1992.
Joe had been a Member of the Luxor Shrine – Maple Leaf Lodge since 1977, being a part of the Masonic Order since1965. He belonged to the Angus Lodge in Kingston, NS and then later to the Zion Lodge #2 F#AM in Sussex. Joe was also a Member of the Board of Directors of the Fundy Royal Conservative Association for many years and also a Member of the RCL – Branch #20. He also enjoyed golfing and had a membership at the Sussex Golf and Curling Club.
Joe was an admirable man with time to give to many organizations over the years. He loved his family dearly and he will be sadly missed by all who knew and cared for him.
Mr. Joseph Orville MacKinnon of Sussex, passed away on Saturday, February 25, 2017 at the Sussex Health Centre at the age of 89.
In addition to his beloved wife Terry, Joe is survived by his daughters: Sharron Walker and her husband Ken of Shoal Lake, MB and Bonnie Farrell and her husband David of Central Lot 16, PEI; his step-daughters: Kim Neufeld of Ottawa, ON, Tracy Strudwick and her husband Ed Tink of Calabogie, ON, Cindy Leibel and her husband Ken of Georgetown, ON and his step-son, Craig Strudwick and his wife Jeanne of Ottawa, ON; his grandchildren:Brandi Snow and her Husband Jon, Trevor Farrell and his wife Jenny, Greg Farrell and his wife Peggy; his great grandchildren: Bethany, Alannah, Annabelle, Emma, Clark, Fiona, Isobel and Henry; his great-great granddaughter Lainey; his step great grandchildren: Theresa, Amanda, Brad, James, Clay, Lindsay and Kenny; as well several nieces, nephews and extended family members.
Along with his parents, Joe was predeceased by his brothers Duncan, Donald, William, Dan, Wallace and J.J. and his sisters Mary Belle and Clara. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the compassionate care of Wallace Funeral Home, 34 Sunnyside Drive, Sussex, (506-433-1176)
A service celebrating Joe’s life will be held from Wallace Community Chapel at 10 am on Tuesday, February 28, 2017 followed by a time of fellowship with the family. Interment in Evergreen Memorial Park in the Spring.
In lieu of flowers, the family has recommended donations to the Shriners or to the charity of donors’ choice.
To Join in on Joe’s Celebration of Life, please copy this link into your address bar: https://livestream.com/accounts/12493326/events/7069873