Obituary of 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 but raised in Halifax, son of the Honorable Mr. Justice Vincent C. MacDonald QC and Hilda MacDonald, 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; his sons, Eric and Nigel MacDonald and their partners, Dacia Fauth and Jasmin MacDonald; his stepson Willem Klumpenhouwer and friend Melanie Malchow; his brothers, David MacDonald of Kingston and Brian MacDonald of Canberra; a loving extended family, lifelong friends AR (Randall) Smith and Joe MacDonald of Halifax; his sons’ mother Betty MacDonald of Moose Jaw and many others across Canada. A Celebration of Alan’s Life will be held on Friday, February 19, 2010, from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m., in the Alberta Room of the Dining Centre at the University of Calgary. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. 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, www.calgarylearningcentre.com. In living memory of Alan MacDonald, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH Telephone: (403) 276-2296.