Obituaries

Gerald Allen McDonald

Our beloved husband, father, and grandfather passed away peacefully February 8th, 2026 at the age of 87 at St. Pierre Hospital after a short battle with cancer. Gerald Allen McDonald was born August 21, 1938 in Winnipeg, Manitoba to John Joseph and Elizabeth Frances McDonald and was the youngest of 7,(Margaret, Marjorie, Helen, Archibald, Elva, Clayton). In his youth he was an avid baseball player, acting as a short stop for the St. Anne’s Eagles, where he was a standout. Later; he went on to mentor and coach sharing his love of the game with many kids, including his own sons. In 1963 he met Barbara Kay Wright on a blind date and they were married May 9th, 1964 at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Winnipeg, Manitoba. During their 61 year marriage they moved across Canada, living in Edmonton, Toronto, Brandon and Winnipeg having 4 children along the way. Three sons, Joel, Matthew, Zachary and one daughter, Dana. As a young father he took up bowling with the Winnipeg Senior Mens League, spending hours hurling a bowling ball at the family chesterfield to perfect his grip and swing. In the 1985/86 season he bowled 298, a near perfect score. This singleminded devotion carried through to many aspects of his life, especially his faith. He was a proud member of the Catholic Church, and for many years he attended St. Andrew Bobola with his wife.

Gerry is survived by his loving family: his wife, Barbara McDonald; his children, Joel McDonald (Pamela), Matthew McDonald (Jennifer), Dana Stokes (Daniel), and Zachary McDonald; 10 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.

We are devastated by the loss but feel blessed to have had so many wonderful years with him by our side. He will be remembered often and fondly for his passion for gardening (especially tomatoes) and his love of fishing, sitting lakeside at Lake Audy and animals. There was no animal he met that he didn’t shower with love, and no plant that didn’t get the same treatment.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Andrew Bobola, 541 Marion Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba at 1 p.m., Thursday, February 12th with prayers and viewing immediately prior at 12 p.m. and an interment to follow immediately after at St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Cemetery, MB-332, Starbuck, Manitoba. Following the interment we invite you to a luncheon in Gerry’s honor at Trinity Lutheran Church, 43 River Avenue, Starbuck, Manitoba. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the CancerCare Manitoba, St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Cemetery in Starbuck or St. Pierre Roman Catholic Church.