We regret to advise of the death of Major, the Reverend Hugh MacDonald, CD (Ret’d) in Toronto ON, on 24 November 2004 at the age of 85.
Hugh was born in Stornoway, Isle of Lewis in Scotland. He graduated from Secondary School at Nicholson Institute, Stornoway and obtained a Masters of Arts in Theology from Christ’s College, University of Aberdeen, Scotland. He was ordained into the Presbyterian Church of Scotland in 1946 and practised in several parishes including Crathie Kirk, the parish church of the Royal Family when they reside at Balmoral Castle. He immigrated to Canada in 1949.
Hugh served many parishes in Canada from Arthur ON, Vancouver, Hamilton, Caledon East ON and Toronto amongst them. He had a strong attachment to the military and served from 1950 until his official retirement from the Ministry in 1994 as Military Chaplain to various Toronto area units including 2nd Field Engineer Regiment, the Medical Battalion, the 1st Battalion of the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders and the 78th Battalion Old Fraser Highlanders. It was while serving with 2nd Field Engineer Regiment that he wrote “The Engineer Prayer,” a prayer that was retained with slight modifications after Canadian Forces unification:
Almighty God, we pray thee to bless the Royal Canadian Engineers. May our bridges always stand, and our charges never fail, our members ever be loyal and our officers worthy of their loyalty.
May we work diligently in all our purposes and be skilled in our trades; steadfast for Queen and country everywhere, and true sappers all.
....Amen
Hugh was also Chaplain of many other Toronto area organizations such as St. Joseph’s Hospital, the Armagh Crisis Centre, the Royal Canadian Legion Maple Leaf Branch #266/046, and the Toronto Police and Fire Departments.
A memorial service will be held on 10 December at Fallingbrook Presbyterian Church, 31 Wood Glen Road, Toronto. Donations may be made to the Parkinson Society of Canada. {gdJun2016kh}