On may 18, 2004, Arnold (Arnie) Lloyd McDonald passed away quietly at his home in North Bay, after a lengthy illness. He was surrounded by the people that he cherished most, his wife of 47 years, Rosemary, and his children. Born at Canoe Lake, Algonquin Park, on October 30, 1933, Arnie's Dad Mel, moved the family to Temagami in 1945, when Arnie was 11. For the next 59 year's, Arnie's life was directly connected with Temagami and the Lake named after it. He was raised there, met his wife there, raised his six children there and worked there. He began his working career first at Copperfields on the lake and later moved over to Sherman Mine. Arnie retired from Sherman in 1990, and for the last 14 years, he traveled between his summer cottage on Island 993 and his winter home in Dunedin, Florida. He was a builder, mechanic, welder and plumber. In fact, he could do whatever he set his mind to do. Without any formal training in any of these areas, he had the intelligence and ingenuity to self teach himself. At 57, he fulfilled a life liong dream and he became a pilot. he owned 2 Piper Cubs, a Cessna 172 and a Challenger Push prop, however, of the 3, his favorite was always the Cub. He kept his planes on floats and always had them with him at the Cottage on the lake. He took great pleasure in taking family and friends up in the plane where he could share the beauty of Temagami. Hard work, honesty, loyalty, respect and the love of family, were not only words but how Arnie lived his life. No one ever heard him say, it can't be done. Arnie is survived by his two sisters, Shirley and Joan, his wife Rosemary, children, Janice, Danny, Maureen, James, Wayne and Nancy. He also leaves 13 grandchildren and a host of friends to many to name. Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 20th, 2004 at St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church in Temagami, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. The funeral service will be at St. Elizabeth's on Friday, May 21st, 2004, commencing at 11 a.m. Donations to the Canadian Cancer Society may be made in memory of Arnie. A measure of a man, his life, his beliefs, and his teachings are reflected through the actions and deeds of his children and grandchildren. His family made him very proud and he leaves them with a lifetime of memories, stories and joy. Funeral arrangements entrusted to HILLSIDE FUNERAL SERVICES, North Bay (705)474-7655.
