Macdonald
James Harold
July 25, 1943 - April 14, 2018
Jim Macdonald (Jimmy Mac) passed away suddenly at the age of 74 in the Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary. He was born and raised in Drumheller, where he was known for his athletic abilities, particularly as a defenseman for the Drumheller Miners, where he was drafted for a farm team in Saskatchewan. Preferring the small-town life in the Drumheller Valley, he quickly returned, married and started a family of his own. Jimmy was a very hardworking man who held many different jobs. Predominantly, he worked as a heavy equipment operator in the construction and oil field industries. He spent many years working away in Fort McMurray and northern Alberta, and further afield in all four western provinces, NWT, and the Yukon. He was very proud of his work in the oil sands and proud to be a Union man of the Local 955. Following retirement, Jimmy returned to the Drumheller Valley in 2008 to be nearer to family. He settled into a little trailer in Wayne and got himself a little white dog, named Buddy, whom he loved more than anything! Buddy was treated to his own Buddy burgers and Dairy Queen ice creams. Jimmy and Buddy cruised all over town in his white GMC truck, and they were known to almost everyone in town – young or old. Although Jimmy was a huge animal lover, he also loved to hunt. It was a past time that he enjoyed with many friends and family. He proudly taught his grandsons how to shoot whilst still being respectful to the animals and nature itself. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and frequently attended their hockey games and had just gotten the pleasure of seeing his first great-grandson play. To know Jimmy Mac, was to love Jimmy Mac. He was a one of a kind guy with a great sense of humour, and family and friends were extremely important to him. He had a daily routine which began with coffee with his sister, Bonnie and Karen Dumancic. Then, it was straight to Yavis’ for breakfast with the coffee gang, and then to Brent Aagaard’s shop for a friendly chat. His afternoons were spent visiting his friends at his favourite local pubs. He always had his finger on the pulse and knew all of the daily happenings in Drumheller! He also spent a great deal of time maintaining the Wayne property, feeding the birds, deer and wildlife, mowing the grass, ploughing the snow, and spending quality time with the entire family tending the garden. He was an immense help to Bonnie – doing whatever was needed, and all of his friends and family knew that no matter what, they could always rely on him for his help and support because despite his tough guy persona, he had a heart of pure gold. He always said, “Old people, little people, and animals – that’s what makes the world go round, and us guys have to look out for them.” Jimmy is survived by his children: Debbie (Ben) Wurz; Cindy (Tim) Bagley, Jim (Kathy) Macdonald; former wife, Eileen (Alex) Cysouw; and sister: Bonnie Polych. He had four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren: Brady (Cindy) Bagley and sons, Travin and Braisen; Cordell (Shae) Bagley and daughters, Hayley and Brinley; Chantell (Dan) Selk and children, Kasyn, Kingsley, Kaleston, and Kruzland; and Chaylea (Jeremy) Wurz; niece: Melody Polych; aunt: Oriole O’Dwyer; and cousins: Diane, Corinne, Dave, Gary, Loreen, and Don; and many dear friends. He was predeceased by his mother and father, Gloria and Harold; his Granny and Granddad Saunt and his Granny and Granddad Mac; brother-in-law, Allen; Uncle Jim; Aunt Cynthia; Uncle Bill; Uncle Harold; Uncle Obb and Aunt Aggie; and cousins, Gloria and Bobby. The family would like to thank the timely response of the Drumheller EMS team and Rosedale Fire Department, as well as, the medical team at the Emergency department of the Drumheller Hospital and the STARS rescue team that transported Jimmy to the Calgary Foothills ICU, where Jimmy and our family received excellent care and support in the final hours of his life. With their help,he passed quietly and painlessly, like he would have wanted. At Jimmy’s request, there will be no funeral service. Flowers are declined and donations (if desired) can be made to the Drumheller & District Humane Society or STARS.
