Obituary for Donald MacMillan
February 23, 1944 – July 24, 2022
MacMILLAN, Donald Alexander – Only mere days before everyone was to gather for the Glengarry Highland Games, we said goodbye to Donald MacMillan — a man who never wanted to miss a single one. He called it his “Holy Weekend”. Donald (or D.A. as many of you knew him) had many friends and deep family connections in Glengarry, Ottawa, Cornwall and surrounding areas. He had a long and successful career with Bell Canada, bringing to it a deep-rooted work ethic from his early days growing up on the MacMillan farm on Lochinvar Road. Following his retirement from Bell Canada, D.A. invested in a local pub in Cornwall called The Glengarrian which he ran alongside his son Ewen. Many a wonderful gathering of family and friends took place, to share stories and listen to live local music. D.A.’s passion for music started at a young age when he picked up the drums and joined the Glengarry Pipe Band and later the Royal Canadian Air Force Pipes and Drums. His years of playing in the band brought so many amazing trips that he enjoyed with immediate family and lifelong band mates.
D.A. grew up in Glengarry with a loving family and many cousins who lived “just down the road”. Many weekends involved all the families visiting to play cards, share stories, and play live music in one of the biggest kitchen parties around. Those gatherings and the joyful spirit continued in Donald and Rosemary’s home in Ingleside for many years. D.A. loved to tease and anyone visiting could expect a good laugh, especially his grandchildren who have always appreciated his great sense of humour.
Donald left us peacefully on July 24, 2022 at the age of 78 surrounded by the family and the pipe band music he loved so much. He is predeceased by his beloved son John Allen, his mother, Anna Belle (MacDonald), his father Alex J, and his brothers John Myles and Francis Brian. He is survived by Rosemary MacMillan who lovingly supported Donald throughout his life; her mother Catherine Viner; his children Ewen, Patricia, and Laurie; his grandchildren, Alyson, Myles, Maisy, James and Thomas who were the pride of his life and carry on his legacy; his brother Hugh Allen; and many nieces and nephews, all of whom he loved very much. In lieu of flowers, donations to Alzheimer’s Society of Canada or The Glengarry Highland Games would be appreciated. At Donald’s request, there will not be a visitation. A private graveside service will be held at St. Lawrence Valley Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday August 3, 2022 from 2:30-5:30 pm at the Glengarrian Pub, 841 Sydney Street, Cornwall. You are so very loved, D.A. God speed.
MacMILLAN, Donald Alexander – Only mere days before everyone was to gather for the Glengarry Highland Games, we said goodbye to Donald MacMillan — a man who never wanted to miss a single one. He called it his “Holy Weekend”. Donald (or D.A. as many of you knew him) had many friends and deep family connections in Glengarry, Ottawa, Cornwall and surrounding areas. He had a long and successful career with Bell Canada, bringing to it a deep-rooted work ethic from his early days growing up on the MacMillan farm on Lochinvar Road. Following his retirement from Bell Canada, D.A. invested in a local pub in Cornwall called The Glengarrian which he ran alongside his son Ewen. Many a wonderful gathering of family and friends took place, to share stories and listen to live local music. D.A.’s passion for music started at a young age when he picked up the drums and joined the Glengarry Pipe Band and later the Royal Canadian Air Force Pipes and Drums. His years of playing in the band brought so many amazing trips that he enjoyed with immediate family and lifelong band mates.
D.A. grew up in Glengarry with a loving family and many cousins who lived “just down the road”. Many weekends involved all the families visiting to play cards, share stories, and play live music in one of the biggest kitchen parties around. Those gatherings and the joyful spirit continued in Donald and Rosemary’s home in Ingleside for many years. D.A. loved to tease and anyone visiting could expect a good laugh, especially his grandchildren who have always appreciated his great sense of humour.
Donald left us peacefully on July 24, 2022 at the age of 78 surrounded by the family and the pipe band music he loved so much. He is predeceased by his beloved son John Allen, his mother, Anna Belle (MacDonald), his father Alex J, and his brothers John Myles and Francis Brian. He is survived by Rosemary MacMillan who lovingly supported Donald throughout his life; her mother Catherine Viner; his children Ewen, Patricia, and Laurie; his grandchildren, Alyson, Myles, Maisy, James and Thomas who were the pride of his life and carry on his legacy; his brother Hugh Allen; and many nieces and nephews, all of whom he loved very much. In lieu of flowers, donations to Alzheimer’s Society of Canada or The Glengarry Highland Games would be appreciated. At Donald’s request, there will not be a visitation. A private graveside service will be held at St. Lawrence Valley Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday August 3, 2022 from 2:30-5:30 pm at the Glengarrian Pub, 841 Sydney Street, Cornwall. You are so very loved, D.A. God speed.