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The Chronicle Herald, Tuesday, 2 February 2010, page B6

 

MacDONALD - Alan Hugh

MacDONALD, Alan Hugh - March 3, 1943 - January 28, 2010. It is with
tremendous sadness that we announce the passing of Alan MacDonald, highly
respected and much loved father, husband, friend, colleague and mentor.
Born in Ottawa, Ont., but raised in Halifax, son of the late the
Honourable Mr. Justice Vincent C. MacDonald and Hilda MacDonald (Durney),
he earned a B.A. from Dalhousie and a B.L.S. from Toronto. He began his
illustrious library career at Dalhousie in 1964, moving to become the
University of Calgary's Director of Libraries in 1979 and its Director of
Information Services in 1992; the additional posts he held and honours he
received nationally and internationally are too numerous to mention. He
was often most widely recognized by Calgarians as the University Orator
who presented 127 honorary degrees at convocations from 1989 to 2002. In
retirement he combined a lifelong passion for aviation with volunteer
contributions to the libraries of the Calgary Aerospace Museum and the
Military Museums; in his encyclopaedic knowledge, film had a special
place. A big man in every way - body, mind, spirit, heart - he will be
immeasurably missed by his wife, Minnie Joldersma; sons, Eric and Nigel
MacDonald and their partners, Dacia Fauth and Jasmin MacDonald; his
stepson, Willem Klumpenhouwer and friend, Melanie Malchow; brothers, David
MacDonald, Kingston and Brian MacDonald, Canberra; a loving extended
family, lifelong friends AR (Randall) Smith and Joe Macdonald of Halifax;
his sons' mother, Betty MacDonald of Moose Jaw, Sask., and many others
across Canada. A celebration of Alan's life will be held on Friday,
February 19, from 4-6:30 p.m., in the Alberta Room of the Dining Centre at
the University of Calgary. Alan was a passionate advocate for literacy in
all forms. In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to
the Calgary Learning Centre, 3930 - 20 Street S.W., Calgary, AB T2T 4Z9
(Telephone 1-877-686-9300  <http://www.calgarylearningcentre.com>
www.calgarylearningcentre.com). In living memory of Alan, a tree will be
planted in Fish Creek Provincial Park. Forward condolences through:
<http://www.mcinnisandholloway.com> www.mcinnisandholloway.com