Obituary of John MacLeod

John MacLeod Glace Bay It is with complete broken hearts and deep sadness that we announce the passing of our precious husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend John Macleod on Monday April 5th 2021 at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital with his family by his side. He was born in Glace Bay on Sept 22, 1940 to the late Bert and Clara (Wadden) Macleod. There are people in this world who live for others , kind, caring and giving of themselves with an unconditional love that is felt daily , he was this person not only to us but to so many. He was a true gentleman. He was a passionate man for so many things in life but his family came first always above anything else that he loved and we felt it in everything that he did for us. He was a man of many talents, he loved children, his pets, he loved to cook, to hunt, and any time that he spent in the outdoors, especially teaching the boys to fish. As a young man John met and fell in love with the love of his life Marlain (MacIntyre) who he was married to for 57 years. Together they had two children and raised a third (son) as their own. As a family we share many fond memories, going on picnics, travelling around Cape Breton, vacations in the Valley, but our happiest times were our summers spent in Mira with our family and great friends with so many laughs, bon fires and great food (which dad loved). John had a full career life wearing many hats. He started out working at Mendelson’s Grocery Store where he learned his meat cutting trade. From there he went to the town and country also as a meat cutter, he would eventually buy the business and together Marlain and John ran the store. After he decided to get out of the grocery business he opened a pool hall to give the youth in number 11 a safe place to go to have fun and stay off the streets. There are many stories to be told during those years by many who spent time there. He would join the Glace Bay Fire Department in 1971 and from that moment discovered his calling, he loved that department and gave everything he had for 23 years. He carried many positions in the department as Engine Captain, Salvage Captain, Engine and Hose Lieutenant and Deputy Chief. Even in his retirement he stayed connected through his monthly poker game with pensioner buddies, he sure looked forward to that. Being the compassionate person that he was to always care for others he also took on a job as ambulance attendant working for Curry’s Funeral Home for 20 years. The people he transported would continually request that he be their driver and the nurses that travelled with him loved when dad was behind the wheel, as they always knew they would eat well along the way.Dad also delivered food for meals on wheels. Everyone knew John for many reasons but especially his multiple daily trips to town, with Tilley hat and a smile... John is survived by his loving wife Marlain of 57 years, his loving devoted daughter Nadara (who is his clone) ( Harrison Budden) and loving son Tommy (Courtney). He was proud granddad to his four grandchildren Brittany (Steve) and Hailey Budden, Abbie Macleod and Broden Russell. His grandchildren were the light of his life and there was nothing he wouldn’t do for them. Sister Myrtle Beckwith, many very special nieces, nephews who dad played a very important role in their lives as well as sisters and brother-in-laws. He was predeceased by his son Darrell MacLeod, his parents Bert and Clara MacLeod, his sister and brother- in-laws Andrea and Sonny MacIntosh, Patsy and Billy Antle. The family would like to thank the medical staff at the Regional Hospital for the great care they gave him during such a difficult time. Cremation has taken place. Visitation will take place Sunday April 11,2021, from 2-4 and 6-8 pm. A celebration of life will be held Monday, April 12, 2021 at 2 p.m. all taking place at T.J. Tracey Cremation and Burial Specialists, 370 Reserve St., Glace Bay, NS (902-849-4199). In lieu of flowers, donations in John’ name can be made to the Heart and Stroke foundation, Diabetes association and the Feral Cats. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, seats are limited. Social distancing and masks are mandatory.