Obituary of Roderick Murdock McKinnon

McKINNON, Roderick Murdock "Rod" It is with great sadness that we say goodbye for now to Roderick Murdock McKinnon. Born July 24, 1946 to Murdock and Wanda (Kokoska) McKinnon in Sydney. Roddie passed away February 28, 2017 surrounded by love in Hants Community Hospital, Windsor. Roddie will be missed and remembered by many. He is survived by his loving spouse, Joan MacNeil; cherished daughter, Natalie (Scott) Shearer; his grandchildren who were the light of his life, Ava, Will and Jack (or as Papa called them: 'Ava Misbehava', 'Will the Thrill' and 'The Jackster'); step children, Jennifer Burton (Daniel), Jolene (Adam) Kehoe, Morgan Burton and Mac Burton; step grandchildren, Victoria, Alexis, Benjamin and Georgia. Also left to mourn Roddie are brothers, Jimmy, Sydney; Johnny, Port Hawkesbury; Joey (Roxanne), Sackville, N.B.; sister, Dorothy (Hughie) MacKinnon, Coxheath; aunt Caddy Donovan; many nieces, nephews and cousins. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his sister, Louise McKinnon. Growing up in Cape Breton he had great friends that he enjoyed playing softball with, swimming, skating at the Louisa, and in later years dances, shooting pool, "Doing the drag" on Charlotte Street, and jumping train cars. He was known by his buddies then and now as a faithful friend. Roddie graduated from St. FX University in 1969 with an education degree and in later years from Saint Mary's University with his Masters in Education. He was a true scholar who loved a good debate. He joined the faculty at Windsor Regional High School in 1969. Roddie enjoyed teaching history and sociology while walking the classroom aisles or with his feet on his desk. He was one of the original members of the faculties "Library Club" where he built lifelong friendships including his best friend, Dominic Henry. Roddie was an avid sports fan but most notably a New England Patriots fan. In October he enjoyed watching his team at Foxborough Stadium with Natalie. Football Sundays were spent at home with Joan by the woodstove with his Proline in hand. Arrangements have been entrusted to DeMont Family Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 419 Albert St., PO Box 981, Windsor, NS BON 2TO (902-798-8317), where the family will receive visitors from 6-8 p.m. Sunday, March 5. A funeral service celebrating Rod's life will be held 3:30 p.m. Monday, March 6, in DeMont Family Funeral Home Chapel, Rev. Bill Gibson officiating. A reception will immediately follow at the Spitfire Arms in Windsor. Cheers to Papa! Donations in memory of Roddie may be made to Hants Community Hospital Foundation, 89 Payzant Drive, Windsor, NS B0N2T0. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting: www.demontfamilyfuneralhome.ca