Bernard MacDonald

Our family is truly saddened to share the news of our father’s passing in his 96th year.  His loving wife, Merle, predeceased him in 2011.  He will be sadly missed by his 4 children: Sharon (Brent), Diane, Cathie (Jim) and Randy (Shirlee); 8 Grandchildren: Chris (Marie), Alisa, Cherie (Joe), Adam (Cassandra), Brittney (Scott), Luke (Brittany), Dylan and Dalton; 9 Great Grandchildren: Boden, Makena, Janne, Charlie, Peyton, Penny, Gavin, Benjamin and Carter, as well as his sister Jean Martin and brother Frank.

Barney grew up in Regina with his family of 8 brothers and sisters.  At 17 he joined the Royal Canadian Navy and served in WWII at the Battle of the Atlantic.  After the war he returned to Regina where he met the love of his life, Merle Rowland.   They were married and moved to Vancouver, and were active members of St. Anthony’s (Marpole) parish while raising their family.  Barney coached Junior A Hockey and became an owner of McConachie Mechanical Ltd. and was a member of the Amalgamated Construction Association, and Mechanical Contractors Association. Barney was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 240 and later Branch 40.

Retiring to White Rock in the 70’s, Barney enjoyed golfing and curling with his buddies, and taking long walks along White Rock pier and in his neighbourhood, and most of all being with Merle. They spent many years vacationing in Hawaii and making lifelong friends.   He had a beautiful tenor voice and belonged to St. Anthony’s choir later joining the Maple Leaf Singers and performing with them from 1978-2001. He then sang with the Stella Maris Choir at the Good Shephard Church until 2014. Barney was a happy, outgoing person and had many friends in the South Surrey area, especially his life long friends from St. Anthony’s.

Barney came to Penticton in 2015, where he enjoyed walks and picnics at Skaha Beach, golfing at area courses, gardening getting together with his family, and socializing with his friends at Sandbridge.  His favourite things:  Ice Cream, cookies, hot dogs and a cold beer.  

Thank you to Dr. David Anderson and Dr. Tim Phillips for their wonderful care of Barney over the years. A special thank you is extended to the caring staff at Village by the Station especially staff at Cottage 1, who showed him much compassion and loving care these past 3 years.  In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Village by the Station (Dementia Care Enhancement Project), 270 Hastings St. Penticton BC  V2A 2V6.

His sense of humour and loving nature never left him and his family is comforted to know Barney and Merle are together once again.