Sheldon MacKinnon

Sheldon MacKinnon

    It is with a heavy heart that we announce the sudden passing of our father, Sheldon MacKinnon, on Sunday, November 5th, 2023. Dad was born on November 14, 1951, to the late Neil and Annie MacKinnon. He married the love of his life, Valerie (Theriault), in 1972. Not everyone gets the opportunity to meet their soulmate in this life, but Dad got the gift to spend 51 years with her. For this, we will be forever grateful. The family was everything to Dad. He leaves behind his eldest daughters, Stacy Dixon (Lowell) and Heather Budge (Tait), who were his biggest supporters and often referred to as ‘Dad’s girls”. He is also survived by Son Andre MacKinnon and daughter Maggie MacInnis.

    Sheldon was the oldest of three sons, all born with a selfless, loving, and protective nature as well as a pristine sense of humor. He was predeceased by his brother Darryl, who we are sure was waiting to fill him in on all the shenanigans of times passed. He is survived by his youngest brother, Dean (Linda Peters), who was his best buddy during the good times and his rock during some of the hardest of times. Dean and Linda have been Dad’s pillars of strength during some of his most vulnerable moments, and Dad was so happy to have them close by, also survived by a special sister-in-law, Kathy MacKinnon. Next to the love of his family was his love for teaching. His long career in teaching extended to schools all over North of Smokey, and he also had the privilege of teaching in Kuujjuarapik with his friend Wayne Budge. Unfortunately for some, Dad also wore the hat of the school principal in Bay St Lawrence Elementary, where some of his fondest memories were made, and he has always held a special place in his heart. His co-workers became as close as family, and he treated his students as if they were his own kids. He praised them when they were doing well but made sure to set them straight if that was what he felt they needed. Many of his ‘students’ still thank him for that to this day.

    Although on paper, Dad was officially retired, he never ever stopped teaching. His grandchildren were the light of this life, and he continued to teach them life lessons whenever he got the chance. Riley, Bryden, Addison, and Kayden were so proud to call him Grampy and will miss him dearly. Dad loved to hunt, fish, and spend time in the woods, but he was happiest when he did these things with his best friend, Charles Briand. It gives us peace and comfort to know Dad’s last moments were with Charles doing something he loved, piling wood, and chatting like best friends do. His presence will also be missed by his ‘barn buddies’ whom he often shared coffee and tall tales with. He never missed a social event or a free meal-whether it was a fundraiser, concert, funeral, or market. Dad was a volunteer for anything and everything. He and Mom were recognized as citizens of the year through the Lion’s Club, and nobody deserved this more than they did. It was a proud moment indeed.

    Dad was skilled at telling extraordinary stories or tales in such an animated tone, all while keeping a straight face. He loved it when people questioned if his story was truthful or not, but he would never tell. The smile on his face usually gave us the answer we were looking for at the end of the day. We could write pages of the kind of person Dad was, the people who were influenced by him, and the trials and tribulations of his wholesome life, but those who knew him already know what a wonderful human being our dad was. He held a very special place in his heart for his many cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, and family that he leaves behind. We plan to celebrate Dad on Thursday, November 9th, at 3:00 pm at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Neils Harbour, with Rev. Carolyn Sharp officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations in Sheldon’s memory can be made to St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Neils Harbour.

To view a live stream of Sheldon's Funeral Service please visit

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