Biography

MacKinnon, Donald Hugh, age 81 of Halifax passed away on July 1, 2023 at Ocean View Continuing Care Centre, surrounded by family. Born in Inverness on April 20, 1942, he was the son of the late John Albert “Abbie” and Anna Margaret (MacKay) MacKinnon. He attended Waterloo Lutheran University and worked in the purchasing department at INCO in Sudbury, before moving back home to Nova Scotia and becoming an accomplished entrepreneur and respected manager. Over 40 years, he started several businesses (such as Acadia Supply and Ribbons Recycled) which employed dozens of Atlantic Canadians. In his younger years, he enjoyed rally car driving, curling and golf. He was a philosophical man, known for his quiet contemplative nature, but most of all, he was a devoted husband, loving father, and doting grandfather. Don was predeceased by his beloved wife Fran in 2018, and survived by daughter Lara (Bryan) Balding, Hudson, WI; sons Ross (Stelly), San Francisco, CA; Sean (Christina), Dartmouth; sister Ellen MacLean, Oakville, ON; grandchildren Gavin, Nathan, Kiera, Oscar, Cassidy and Callie, and niece Amber. Cremation has taken place, and small family gatherings to celebrate his memory are planned for 7/31 in Dartmouth and 8/1 in the Inverness area.