Obituary of A. D. MacKinnon

MacKinnon, A. D. (Sailor Don) passed away December 26, 2005 at the Saint John regional Hospital following a short period of failing health. Born December 3, 1922 in Inverness Co., Cape Breton, Don was the son of the late Joseph and Marcella (MacKinnon) MacKinnon. A veteran of WWII Sailor served in both the Merchant Marine and the RCN on the North Atlantic Run. Don retired from the Coast Guard in 1976 after a 32 year career. Sailor Don was an internationally ranked middleweight boxer and Canadian Navy Champion 1945-1946. He was a member of the Canadian Boxing Hall of Fame as well as those of New York, Maine and New Brunswick. Sailor was elected to the Saint John Sport's Hall of fame in 2001 and was named MR Boxing Canada four times. He helped found Golden Gloves Boxing in Saint John and took great pleasure in working with youth. He is survived by his wife Beatrice (Huskins), son Alan (Bonnie) of Saint John, daughters Angela of Vancouver, Donna (Ted) of Grand Bay and grandchildren Ralana and Matthew as well as sisters Flora Belle Gillis, Sally (Hughie) MacLennan, of Cape Breton, and Marie Decoste of Burlington, many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, sisters Catherine Ann and Mary Catherine, brothers Alex Stan, Alex Angus and John Paul. A loving husband and father and a friend to all, Don will be sorely missed. Resting at Brenans Select Community Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row (634-7424), with visiting on Wednesday from 7-9 pm and Thursday from 2-4 and 7-9 pm. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Peter's Church, Douglas Av, on Friday, December 30, 2005 at 11:00 am with a reception to follow. Private family interment will take place at a later date. Remembrances made to the NB Lung Association or the Parkinson Foundation.