Ronald Mac MacRae Durham
September 03, 1926 - November 06, 2017
- Share:
Ronald Mac MacRae Durham
September 03, 1926 - November 06, 2017
Obituary
“Mac” was born to Clarence and Margaret “Daisy” Durham in Burlington, Ontario, Canada; the 3rd of 4 children. Much of his early childhood was spent in Ontario later moving to Blind Bay on Shuswap lake in British Columbia. He served in the Royal Canadian Navy during World War II after which Mac moved to Vancouver where he met his future wife Shirley Yvonne Thulin. Mac was an electrician at the Vancouver post office for a number of years before moving to Ferndale to work for Intalco. He finished off his long career at Mills Electric of Bellingham.
Mac and Shirley were married in 1946 and lived in Blind Bay at Shuswap Lake in BC, Campbell River on Vancouver Island, and West Vancouver, BC. immigrated to Ferndale in 1966 with their two daughters, Carole and Jill. After a short stay in the “city”, they moved to his dream farm out in the country where they have lived for over 48 years.
Mac will be remembered by his family and friends for his love of dogs, great story telling and years of being a volunteer at the Foster House at the Ferndale Heritage Museum.
Mac is survived by his wife of 71 years, Shirley, his daughter Carole Jacobson, son-in-law Paul Jacobson and daughter (deceased) Jill “Jewels” Durham and his sister Jean Reedman and sister-in-law Edith Thulin and nieces Heather Reedman, Lila Lawler, Linda and grandson John Jacobson, grand-daughters Christina Wonder, Erika Hagen, and step gran children Dean Price, Dale Price, Monica and Jodie, and great grandchildren Isak Jacobson, Madalyn and Lindsey Wonder.
5 responses to Ronald Mac MacRae Durham
Isak Jacobson says:
November 6, 2017
R.I.P Great Grandpa Durham. Although we were never exactly close, I will still miss you and I’m sure everyone else does too. I’m glad to hear you passed peacefully. Wherever it is you end up once you die, I hope it’s a good place filled with the generations of our family before you as well as your friends (and of course with lots of chocolate). I’ll remember my last visit to you as well as our last hug for a long while. I promise you the farm will be taken good care of. We love you and wish you the best.
Dean Price says:
November 6, 2017
Grandpa Mac,you are forever in my heart!!I’ve learned so much from you,from the time I was a little boy until the last time we visited.You and Grandma Shirley are absolutely wonderful people and I am blessed to have you both in my life.Spending time on the farm, traveling with you to Canada to visit family and see great places, building things,doing farm chores and just spending time with you listening to great stories you tell about your life.These memories will stay with me forever.Even though we aren’t blood relatives,you always treated me and my siblings as real family,the same as the rest of your grandchildren.Christmas,birthdays and other holidays with you,Grandma and the rest of the family filled me with joy and love.Through good times,and a few bad times,you showed love,caring and support.I will be forever grateful for all the wonderful years I spent with you.You are without a doubt one of the most special men I’ve ever met.I am so happy to have had you as my Grandpa.You made my life better in so many ways,and I’ll miss you terribly… I love you!!
Rest in Peace Grandpa Mac.I’ll see you again when I get there…
Peter & Jane Wilson says:
November 6, 2017
Peter and I would like to send our love and best wishes at this sad time especially to you Shirley, but also to Carole, Paul and your family.
We have happy and fond memories of you, Mac and Jill, our visits to 5769 Elder Road with your generous hospitality, delicious meals and of course the Ferndale Heritage Village. We have enjoyed several recipes from the Docent Cook Book – some becoming firm family favourites. We still remember your visit to Tamworth and Peter’s glasshouses…. so many memories. Whilst we haven’t met Carole and Paul, we certainly know of you from your cards and correspondence with Mother and Father over the years.
This Canadian/Australian connection has been long standing and much valued. You are in our thoughts.
Lidia McCollister says:
November 6, 2017
Such great memories of Uncle Mac’s stories he was so easy to talk to and always had a smile on his face. He will be greatly missed.
Ed Schmid says:
November 6, 2017
We are so sorry to hear about Mac’s passing. He was the real deal, big huge heart with a go-to-work attitude that was a testament to his generation and generosity.We will miss him and wish you all many happy memories as you celebrate his life.