>From: "Carolyn Wallace" <[email protected]> >To: "ns roots" <[email protected]> >Date: Sun, 15 Aug 2004 15:58:45 -0300 >Subject: [nsroots] > Obits:Roderick McDONALD,Campbellton,N.B.; <snip> > >Eastern Chronicle, New Glasgow, N.S. > >Thursday, June 4, 1942 >Canada's Oldest Man Dies >(This was in before as a tribute but without all the details) > Roderick McDonald, believed to be the oldest man in Canada, died in >Campbellton, N.B. yesterday, following a stroke last week. According to >records he would have reached his 108th birthday next August, but some >friends believed he was at least two years older although there are no >documents to substantiate this. > Until his retirement in 1938 he was the world's oldest harbor master, >appointed to the position at Richibucto, N.B. in 1935 when 100 years old. Up >tp 15 years ago he was active as a blacksmith at Richibucto. > On the occasion of his 105th birthday the remarkable old man received a >Papal blessing from Pope Pius "in recognition of a long life lived as a >gentleman, a Catholic and a good citizen". In 1937, while harbor master, he >was congratulated by Prime Minister King and transport Minister Howe. > Born At Heatherton > In recent years he lived with a daughter, Mrs. R.M. Raymond in >Campbellton. He was born at Heatherton, formerly Plunkett's Forks, about 12 >miles from Antigonish, Nova Scotia. > An old family Bible contains proof of his age. The fly leaf records the >year of his third marriage, 1879, with his age at the time given as 44. His >third wife died more than 20 years ago. > Mr. McDonald was able to recall making horseback trips, when a young boy >to the old Trotter mill at Antigonish, carrying wool to be made into cloth >for the family. The mill was burned down 95 years ago. > He clearly remembered the election of Joseph Howe to the Nova Scotia >Assembly for the first time. He recalled how, as a little boy, he stood >cheering with others when the great Nova Scotian passed by. > Played Violin > Until recently Mr. McDonald had excellent health. Vigorous physcially and >mentally he had a ruddy appearance and an agility that belied his great age. >His fingers remained supple enough for violin playing of his beloved old >Scottish airs. > >xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx > Carolyn Wallace >___________________________________________ >nsroots mailing list >[email protected] >http://mailman.ednet.ns.ca/cgi-bin/listinfo/nsroots