Obituary of Russell James "Rusty" McDonald
Passed away peacefully in Kitchener in the early hours of Saturday, June 9, 2018 at Lanark Heights Long Term Care, in his 96th year.
Predeceased by his parents William J. McDonald and Sarah Jean McMillan, his wife Helen in 2002, his sisters Helen Tuckey in 1953 and Marilyn in 2007and his brother Bill in 2013. Dr. McDonald is survived by his daughters Jean Reilly (Robert) of Kitchener, Catherine Jones (Robert) of Lawton, Oklahoma and son John McDonald (Teresa) of Caledonia as well as grandsons Michael Reilly and Matthew and Andrew Jones.
He was a graduate of the Woodstock Collegiate Institute and the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph. He maintained an active role for many years in both the O.V.C .and U. of G. Alumni and served as Chair of the U. of G. Alma Mater Fund.
Professionally, Rusty was recognized both nationally and internationally as a pioneer in the commercial application of artificial insemination of dairy cattle. He was the founding General Manager of Oxford and District Cattle Breeders Association which, as the result of merging with three other breeding associations, became Western Ontario Breeders Inc. (WOBI). He retired from that position in 1988 to become Executive Director of the Canadian Association of Animal Breeders and served for many years as Chair of the Board of Directors of Semex Canada, the organization responsible for most of the Canadian livestock semen exports. These positions involved considerable national and international travel.
He was a member as well as Chair of many organizations associated with veterinary medicine and agriculture including the College of Veterinarians of Ontario, the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association and the American Dairy Science Association. He was a founding member of the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame and a Director of the Royal Winter Fair as well as the Ontario Agricultural Research Institute.
Rusty was the recipient of numerous awards including the University of Guelph Alumnus of Honour in 1979, the Ontario Veterinary Association Award of Merit in 1994 the same year he was inducted into the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame and received the Ontario Veterinary Association Award of Merit.
He held executive positions on an impressive number of local organizations and institutions including the boards of the Woodstock YMCA, the United Appeal, Woodstock General Hospital, Chalmers United Church and was a founding member of the Woodstock Curling Club and Craigowan Golf and Country Club. He was a big supporter of the Woodstock Athletics hockey team and president of the Woodstock Minor Hockey Association at a time when Bobby Hull was playing for one of the local teams.
While he enjoyed golf, curling and skiing, one of his favorite “hobbies” was electioneering. As a “dyed in the wool” Liberal whose favourite slogan during elections was “Vote as you like but vote Liberal”. Rusty was the campaign manager for numerous federal and provincial candidates in Oxford county. It’s entirely possible the result of the recent Ontario provincial election hastened his passing.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Lanark Heights Long Term Care for the exemplary care they gave our father for close to seven years.
Cremation has taken place. A private family graveside interment will take place mid-summer in Woodstock.
As expressions of sympathy, donations to the University of Guelph – OVC Pet Trust, University of Guelph Alumni Fund, or the Woodstock Hospital Foundation can be arranged through the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King Street South, Waterloo, Ontario N2J 1P7, www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445.
