Ian MacDonald
Ian Hugh MacDonald of Jasper, AB, passed away peacefully at the Centennial Centre for Mental Health and Brain injury in Ponoka, AB on September 15, 2024 after living with dementia in recent years. He was 86 years old.
Born on February 3, 1938 in Burns Lake, BC to Joseph and Jean MacDonald (nee Wilson), Ian was raised alongside his brothers Alex and Bob in Smithers, BC. Smithers was a tightknit community where Ian went to school, played sports, and made many life-long friends.
Ian is survived by loving nieces Shona MacDonald (Tom Nemeth), Shari MacDonald (Peter Villeneuve), and adoring nephews Ryan, Cameron and Gabriel. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers.
Ian retired as a conductor in 1993 with Canadian National Railways after a forty-year career through the beautiful mountains of Western Canada and was a lifelong railway enthusiast. He spent his entire adulthood in Jasper, which became his community family, and a jewel he loved to share with visitors. Ian took great pleasure in golfing, skiing, fishing, and preserving family memories. It was important for Ian to stay connected to his friends and family, often traveling around the country to visit them. He enjoyed rituals with his circle of friends such as golfing at Jasper Park Lodge, socializing at the Legion, and morning breakfasts at the Atha-B. Ian was a quiet, gentle man who always showed generosity of love and caring through his actions. He was a devoted son, brother, uncle, friend and colleague. Ian was organized, thoughtful and supportive in his daily life. His legacy will live on in our hearts forever. Ian will be terribly missed.
Special thanks and eternal gratitude to the numerous nurse angels and caring doctors at CCMHBI, and to Ian’s friends.
There will be no funeral service according to Ian’s wishes. A celebration of Ian’s life will take place at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to a charity of your choice. Ian's family contact is Shona MacDonald and can be reached at [email protected].
To express condolences to Ian's family, please visit womboldfuneralhomes.com.
Arrangements Entrusted to Ponoka Funeral Home
~ A Wombold Family Funeral Home ~
