Passed away peacefully on 5 October 2022 at the Dr. John Gillis Memorial Lodge in Belfast, Prince Edward Island, Donald (Don) Gordon MacQuarrie in his 95th year. Born in Roseneath Prince Edward Island, Don is the son of Charles and Hazel (Gordon) MacQuarrie. He was the beloved husband of Ethel Mae (Beck) MacQuarrie, who he shared 70 wonderful years with. Also survived by his devoted children - Heather MacQuarrie of Saint Albert, AB, Brenda (Milton) Clark of Sherwood Park AB, Ian (Dorothy) MacQuarrie of Brudenell, PEI, Gordon (Anita) MacQuarrie of Strathcona County, AB. Don is pre-deceased by his youngest son and namesake, Donald Willard MacQuarrie who passed away in 2000.
Don’s loving grandchildren include John Mikael MacQuarrie, Christopher MacQuarrie, Cassandra Cotton, Cody MacQuarrie, Hannah Gideon, Caleb Clark, Lasha MacQuarrie, Jenny MacQuarrie, Paul MacQuarrie, John MacQuarrie, and Leah MacQuarrie. He is also survived by eleven delightful great grandchildren. Zachery, Olivia, Taryn, Griffin, Violet, Miller, Jax, Remi, Liam, Tess, and Isla. Don is pre-deceased by his grandson, John Mikael MacQuarrie who passed away in 2013.
Don’s three siblings include two now-deceased older sisters, Jean Nicholson, and Marion Trotter. His younger brother, Malcom (Marge) MacQuarrie reside in Kamloops, BC.; and many MacQuarrie and Beck nieces and nephews, who dearly loved their uncle Don.
Don attended Roseneath School as a boy, but as the eldest son, left school at age 13 to run his families farm due to his father’s ill health. He recalled how his teacher urged him to write provincial exams and to keep going with his education, but he chose to put his family first.
Don immersed himself into farming, indicating he learned many important principles and practices from his father, which he further improved on, being quick to seek out solid advice from experienced farmers and provincial dept. of agriculture experts. He and Ethel Mae built a reputation of high integrity and excellence in the mixed farming community, later specializing in potatoes and beef cattle.
He surprised many with his capacity to take land that was depleted and unproductive and return it to high productivity through the use of crop rotation, use of organic material replacement and letting land rest.
Don was a very hard worker, some might describe him as driven. He treated his hired hands fairly and generously but expected them to follow his example as a boss who walked the talk. He was the first one out the door in the morning and the last one home in the evening.
Although there was a strong focus on excellence in farming, this did not interfere with Don’s tender heartedness towards those less fortunate than himself. The MacQuarrie farm was a place of refuge for those in need, whether it was a warm meal to fill a hungry tummy, or firewood to heat a family home. Many generous gifts of time and resources were quietly and discreetly offered and gratefully received.
Don MacQuarrie was a man of faith. He grew up in the Montague Church of Christ and became a deacon there as an adult. He was quick to volunteer for pretty much any project being undertaken, a faithful behind the scenes kind of guy. His faith in Christ guided every aspect of his life and the values he exemplified as a husband and father, grandfather, and great grandfather as well as in his farming business and community involvement.
All who knew Don would describe him as a kind, hardworking, and generous man who was a good steward of all the Lord entrusted him with. The Lord blessed Don with a long life, and no doubt will entrust him with many tasks and blessings in the Kingdom of God.
Resting at the Ferguson-Logan Funeral Home Montague. The funeral Service will be held at 2:00pm on Thursday 13 Oct. 2022 at the Montague Christian Church. The service will also be live-streamed to the church’s Facebook page. Interment in the Brudenell Pioneer Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a gift to Montague Christian Church https://www.montaguechristianchurch.ca or your favourite Christian outreach.