Mark McDonald

Mark Cyrus McDonald

After a lengthy struggle, Mark McDonald peacefully passed on with his family at his side on Thursday, August 21, 2014 at the Portage District General Hospital at the age of 81 years.

He will be lovingly remembered and tremendously missed by his family and relatives.

Left to cherish his memories and carry on his legacy of love and kindness are his wife Yvonne; Trudy, the mother of his children; children Cindy (David) Giroux, Tracey (Garth) Asham, Roxanne (Perry) Dickenson, Jay (Donna) McDonald, Wendi (David) Moman; stepdaughter Shelley (Mike) Corporon; his grandchildren Dana (Lindsay) Way, Kaeleigh & Josh Giroux, Angel Arlan, Vance, Tanner and Lacey Asham, Brett (Jody), Brittany (Jay) and Angel Kaitlyn Dickenson, Riley and Shaun McDonald, Kierston (Travis) Smith and Alyssa Moman, Ben and Cheyanne Fox; great grandchildren Taylor Bruno, Peyton Dickenson, Myah McCartney and Vic Michel Beaulieu.  Also left are his siblings Charlie McDonald, Hazel Packham, Charlotte Tingey and step brother Robert Coburn; sister-in-law Isabelle McDonald as well as members of the Bell family where he worked and lived as a young man.  In addition to his many nieces and nephews he will be remembered by past and present brothers and sisters-in-law.

Mark was predeceased by his parents Reginald and Hanna; step-mother Margaret and step-father Robert.  He will also be greeted in heaven by an infant son Darryl; grandson Arlan and granddaughter Kaitlyn.

Mark established and was the owner/operator of his transportation company Arrow Taxi/Mac’s Messenger for 47 years.  He continued on with the sister company McM Enterprises until his passing.  Taxis, school buses, wheelchair buses, public transportation buses, contract buses, old cars to new cars; that was his love and that was what provided for him and his family.

His family all have fond memories of dispatching delivering groceries for Bee’s store, flowers for Mil Jeannes and prescription for Lo-Cost etc. So many life lessons were learned at the Taxi Stand.  Of course telephone etiquette and pleasing the customer were early lessons Dad had to impart.

Driving the big bus for the ARC and seniors run remained an important job for him until a year ago when his daughter Roxanne took the wheel.  We estimate Dad had driven 100,000 miles a year for the last 60 years.  He had an impeccable driving record, “A safe seat on any street” was hand stenciled on most of his vehicles.  He really was “King of the Road”.

The twinkle of his sky blue eyes, the warmth of his smile, and of course his famous wave, all signified you were seen, acknowledged and cared for.  His small gestures brightened everyone’s day.

Declining health and mobility over the last year restricted Dad from doing all the things he wanted to, but it did not stop his sense of humor, his unending wit and his love of a good conversation.

To say goodbye was heartbreaking, but now we know you are free from pain and that God will take care of you till we meet again.

Viewing and visitation will take place at McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel, 56 Royal Road S., Portage la Prairie on Tuesday evening, August 26, 2014 from 7:00 to 8:00 pm.

A Celebration of Mark’s Life will be held on Wednesday, August 27, 2014, at 11:00 am at the William Glesby Centre, 11- 2 ^nd Street NE, Portage la Prairie.

As expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Mark’s memory to a charity of choice.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel.  204-857-4021 www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com