Obituary of Robert Vern MacDonald

Robert Vern MacDonald, 65, of Glace Bay, Nova Scotia passed away June 22,2023 in Halifax at the QE2 Hospital. Born in Glace Bay he was the son of Bill and Shirley MacDonald. He was predeceased by his father Bill and his wife Wendy Lee Stubbard. Survived by his mother Shirley, son Robert Joel MacDonald (Lindsey), daughters Carrie Maranda Parsons (Ryan), Megan Stubbard (Travis) and Mandy Stubbard, brothers Ross (Virginia), Douglas (Angela), sisters Jean Anne Farrow (Shelley), and Wendy Rideout (George), grandchildren Jace, Aria, Miles, Claire, Adeline and his special nephews and nieces: Christopher, Shaun, Lauren, Alexa, Joel, Thomas, Gina, Aimee, Gordon, and Jillian. Bobby was a well-known and loved character around Glace Bay throughout his life. He was a steelworker and was crushed and gassed in an industrial accident at the Sydney Steel coke ovens at a young age, narrowly surviving. He also worked at Iggy’s, The Main Event, and in Toronto at a printing company for a few years, and finally at NS Power through the local Labourers Union. Bobby’s life intersected with many people, he was a loyal friend who had time for everyone and used to say: ‘I’ll do anything for anybody if they ask me right’. His favorite people were miners, steelworkers, and fishermen, preferring the company of those with life challenges, personal struggles, and the disadvantaged. He hated injustice, hypocrisy and the superficial and didn’t hesitate to speak up against it. Bobby was deeply devoted to all the dimensions of his extended family. He never forgot a birthday, loved sending cards and giving gifts, even when he couldn’t afford it. He clipped news articles and political cartoons, mailing them out regularly, his version of a care package. He was sadly affected by the premature loss of his father Bill and his spouse Wendy Stubbard. He spared no effort to connect with his nieces and nephews, especially at large family gatherings in Boularderie where he was at his happiest. A voracious reader, he worked diligently to preserve his families’ history, keeping many old pictures, books and mementos of the coal and steel industries and his relatives’ war medals from WWI. Bobby had more than his fair share of bumps in his life, but it never changed his kind gentle soul, heart of gold, generosity, and acceptance of all. He struggled with depression and anxiety most of his life and turned to substance abuse to cope with his pain. He ultimately conquered his demons and had been sober for the last twenty years, committing himself to raising Carrie, Mandy, and Meghan as a single Dad. He was a rare, one-of-a-kind, diamond in the rough for those who cared to see it. Bobby inherited his father’s gift with children and loved all kids unconditionally, raising many as his own. His home was a welcoming, safe, refuge for any who needed it. If success in life is measured by how many children loved him, then he has more than exceeded the mark. He also loved his dogs (Oliver & Piper), cat (Ace), pig (Bacon), and horses (Ace & Apony) who he cared for at Andreas’ neighborhood hobby farm. Bobby firmly believed that eagles watched over his father’s passing, so surely, they met him too on his last journey. In accordance with Bobby’s wishes, cremation has taken place and no funeral ceremony will be held. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date in Glace Bay. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Glace Bay Foodbank or the SPCA. Bobby’s family would like to express their sincerest thanks to the Nurses and Doctors of the Cardiac Care Units at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital and the Queen Elizabeth II Hospital in Halifax. Your professionalism, skill and compassion are remarkable and truly inspiring in every regard. Thank you for caring for Bobby through this difficult time.