Gordon Harrington (Gordie) MacDonald
May 1972 - December 2020


Our hearts are so devastated with the sudden passing of our baby brother Gordon Harrington MacDonald at the age of 48 years at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital on New Year’s Eve.
Gordie was diagnosed with Noonan’s Syndrome and had open-heart surgery shortly after birth. The experts at the IWK in Halifax didn’t think he would survive. They were mistaken. His loving and dedicated parents did everything to ensure that their little boy would return to Bay Road Valley and thrive. He did, and the rest is history. Thank you to all of our family and friends that prayed and supported him during his life. Each of you kept him lifted in ways we can never fully express, and you have our sincere appreciation and gratitude.
We could look to him for an example of perseverance and inner strength, as he continued to fight battles in health and limitations that would crush many of us. He showed us what it was to be strong, because strength is not just found in being the biggest, the toughest or the fastest. Strength is found in one who keeps on going, keeps trying, day after day, long after others give up. Strength is found in one who knows success is not always big and flashy, but knows that sometimes the greatest success is found in the tiniest of victories. In this way, Gordie was a hero. He asked for no pity, only equality. His family ensured he had it.
Gordie cherished family time. Whether it was on a much-anticipated road trip “Down North” to visit family and extended family and friends, or to Ontario to see his beloved Leafs and Blue Jays, he loved his family to the end. He was a talented artist, and loved to gift his works to others. Gordie sought to give his family his very best. The awful pain in our hearts proves it to be so.
He is lovingly survived by his sister, Darlene, his brothers Duncan (Ave), Bruce (Cathy), Charlie, Norman (Cindy), nieces Cassie, Joni, Shaylynn, Jenna, Drew, Allyson, Sydney, Kianna, and nephews Logan, Colton, Connor and Tanner. He will be ever loved by his great nephews Taylor, Dominic, Jayden, Noah and Marshall, and by his great-niece Tatum. Gordie leaves behind his fur-babies Sammy and Bubba; and loving uncles, aunts, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his mother Joan (nee MacLean) in 2015, father Gordon in 1977, and nephew Mason MacDonald just four short days before his own passing. He was predeceased by many aunts, uncles and cousins. His pet cats Bailey and Smokey passed whilst in his loving care. He truly loved every living thing on earth, hurting nothing and no one during his short time here.
We will miss his physical presence desperately, yet hold his spirit and memories of his smile and his laughter in our hearts forever. We will miss him deeply and will never forget the joy he brought to our lives.

Gordie was a blessing from above. We will both mourn the loss of his life and celebrate the life he led and the lessons he taught us. For the best gift he gave us, was his very life. Gordie was a gift. For all the ways he showed us about life and love, for all the ways he inspired us to be better, and for all the love he gave while he was here with us, he was a gift to each of us. May we never forget this beautiful gift. May we find a way in this world without him, as impossible as that seems today. And may we honour Gordie’s memory every time we look up to the sky, look past the clouds and see a rainbow.
A private celebration of life will be held on January 18 at 2PM at Aspy Bay United Church led by Rick Gunn. A public grave side committal to follow for those who wish to attend. Funeral arrangements are in the exceptional care of the J.M. Jobes Funeral Home. COVID-19 protocols are in place. In lieu of flowers, we would ask that any donation be made to your local SPCA. Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at www.jmjobesfuneralhome.com
Matthew 5:5: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

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