Brian Robert MacDonald

Brian Robert MacDonald 

April 7, 1945 - April 12, 2024

Brian Robert MacDonald passed away peacefully surrounded by his family, at his residence Rideau Park Personnel Care Home in Brandon, Manitoba on the evening of April 12, 2024.  

Brian was the firstborn son of Mary (Woodcock) and Roy MacDonald on April  7, 1945, in Purley, Surrey, England.  When Brian was a year old he and his mother joined his father in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia.  In 1953 the family moved back to England where Brian grew up and attended school until the age of 15 when he left school and started working in a garage as a mechanic and later as a blacksmith.  In 1968 he graduated as a psychiatric nurse from Cane Hill Hospital.  Brian met his first wife Diane Cornish from Canada and they were married on December 27, 1969.  Two daughters were born in England, Patricia Diane in 1971 and Jennifer Frances in 1973.  The family moved to Rapid City, MB, Canada in 1974 and a son Sean James was born in 1979.  Brian and Diane divorced In 1997. Brian continued to live in Rapid City with his common-law wife Chanel Duthie and stepson Warren until Brian’s health forced him into personal care.  

Brian worked at Hillcrest Personnel Care Home as a nurse and after leaving the nursing profession he worked in construction, the woodshop at Cor Enterprises and Brandon Mental Health Centre as a Mobile Support worker.  After the hospital closed Brian started working with Manitoba Highways until his retirement in 2010.  Brian joined the Rapid City Emergency Services in 1974 and left the department in 2001 due to health issues.

Brian loved to play sports rugby, soccer, and cricket were among his favourites as a young man living in England.  When he moved to Canada he took up the sport of baseball and played for many years until his health forced him to retire. He took up coaching minor ball in Rapid City with Bob Christie for a few years to keep minor ball alive. He loved hockey and spent many cold winter days watching Jennifer, Sean and Warren play.  Although he never played the sport himself, he was very knowledgeable and taught his kids everything about the game.  Brian loved stock car racing and was involved in the Rapid City Stock Car Club, he raced his car and enjoyed fixing it and racing on the weekends at the track.  He helped his son-in-law build his first stock car and shared his knowledge and love of racing. 

Brian is survived by his common-law wife Chanel Duthie and stepson Warren Duthie, daughter Tricia (Robert) Greenwood, daughter Jennifer (Ward) Greer, son Sean (Amanda) MacDonald and his first wife Diane Denny.  Grandchildren Kirstin (Jamieson) Baird, Emma Greenwood and William (Tamica) Greer.  Sister Frances (Sam) Gibbons, nephews Roy Gibbons, Laura Gibbons, Matthew MacDonald and Janna (Bryce) Tordorovich.  

He was predeceased by his parents Mary and Roy, his brother Terry and his grandson Jordan.

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Rideau Park PCH for their care of Brian.  

A private family graveside service will take place on April 18, 2024, at the Rapid City Cemetery.  Following the service we invite friends to join the family at 2:00 p.m. at the Queens Hotel, Rapid City, MB to celebrate his life. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Brian can be made to the Rapid City Emergency Services PO Box 10, Rapid City, MB, R0K 1W0

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Brian Robert MacDonald, please visit our floral store.