Boisdale
December 24, 1954 – November 21, 2025
It is with heavy hearts that we, the family, announce the death of Francis MacDonald on Friday, November 21, 2025, at the Northside General Hospital, North Sydney.
Francis is survived by his wife, Karen (Head); daughter, Danielle (Scott Sawlor); sons, Christopher, and Ryan; grandchildren, Sam, Quinn, Eli, Oliver, and brothers, Peter (Patricia), and Danny (Dany Martin). Francis was also survived by Karen’s family who loved him as their brother, and also many nieces and nephews.
Francis is predeceased by his parents, Hilda and Hector MacDonald; brother, Alec (Valerie); sisters, Mary Margaret (the late John Gillis), Anne Louise (the late Alan Leith), and nephew, John John Gillis.
Francis was an avid Montreal Canadiens, and Blue Jays fan whom he followed faithfully! He had a good sense of humour and made friends quickly and easily. He was a great dart shooter and enjoyed playing baseball over the years. He also loved to fish. Francis worked as a locomotive engineer until his retirement.
Though he leaves a space that can never be filled, the very best parts of ‘Cinq’ live on in his children. Danielle inherited his gift for turning strangers into friends. Chris, like his father, can rock a moustache and Ryan’s laugh, so like his father’s, has the power to stop you in your tracks.
The family would like to thank Dr. Saliba and the whole team at the Cape Breton Cancer Centre for your generosity, support and care for Francis and also the staff of Northside General Hospital, you were all so wonderful to Francis and us, his family. Special thanks to Dr. Eugene Ignacio for your care and guidance.
There will be no visitation for the late Francis MacDonald. Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Friday, November 28, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. in Holy Redeemer Church, Whitney Pier with Fr. Paul Murphy officiating.
Donations in memory of Francis may be made to a food bank in your community.
In life, we loved you dearly, In death, we love you still.
In our hearts you hold a place, no one else will ever fill
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Pier Community Funeral Home.
Online Condolences
Very sorry for your loss. Francis was an old friend going all the way back to elementary school at Holy Redeemer Boys School and to times spent together in Calgary as young men exploring our great country. Francis will be missed by all who knew him.
From: Lauchie MacDonald
Peter , sorry to hear of Francis passing its never easy when you come from a close family.
Have peace knowing he is once again with the MacDonald clan .
Condolences go to you Danny and your families and Karren and Cinq’s children
Karen and family,I am so sorry to read of your loss! Thinking of you all as you go through these dark days!
Condolences to Karen & family Cinq was a true friend & will be in our hearts forever, he was more like a brother to Eddie..they shared decades as friends & supported each other through the trials & tribulations of life.We spent a day with him in August at Danielle’s annual bash & will treasure the laughter & love we shared with him.
So sorry to hear of Cings passenger Karen and family.Fly high Cinq.
Condolences to Karen and her family and to Cinqs family. May Cinq RIP Amen
Karen and Family
So sorry to hear of Cinq’s passing. Sending my deepest sympathy.
Cinq was my friend and brother. We spent many memorable occasions together. Francis was a true and trustworthy friend. Cinq always made the most of what life had to offer. I’ll miss you brother and I will never forget you and the treasured times we shared.
We were very saddened to hear of Cinq’s passing. zour deepest condolences to you all. May Cinq RIP❤️
Larry and Sandra Perry Hrynick
My condolences to Cing’s family on your loss.
Karen and family,
We are very sorry for your loss.
Bert and Maurina Lewis
Karen,Ryan,Danielle Chris and all the Macdonald family we are deeply saddened by the the passing of Cinq who was like another brother in our family.I will always be grateful to Cinq for the kindness to Chad and I during a difficult time in our lives it will not be forgotten.My thoughts and prayers are with u all now and in the coming days God Bless
To Cinq’s Family,
I was saddened to hear of Cinq’s passing. He was a good guy and I always enjoyed our chats whenever our paths would cross. RIP
Karen and family,
Deepest condolences to all who knew and loved Frances.
Karen,Ryan,Danielle Chris and all the Macdonald family we are deeply saddened by the the passing of Cinq who was like another brother in our family.I will always be grateful to Cinq for the kindness to Chad and I during a difficult time in our lives it will not be forgotten.My thoughts and prayers are with u all now and in the coming days God Bless
Karen and all the family so sorry for the loss of Cinq he will be deeply missed by all he was such a fun and loving man big hugs to all
all our love John and Sandra
Karen and Family. So sorry for your loss. Our Deepest condolecences to you all.May he R.I.P. Such a great guy.
Condolences to Cinq’s family and good bye to an old friend. Rest in peace Cinq.
Karen and family so sorry to hear of Cinqs passing condolences to you and family
Rest in Peace Cinq. My condolences to family and friends.
To Karen, Cinq’s family and friends, my deepest condolences. I have many memories of Cinq and the ball team of great friends laughing at the Bullpen. He was such a nice person and had a way of lighting up a room.
Karen and family, so sorry to hear of Cinqs passing. This is a huge loss to everyone, he was a great guy.
We will miss Francis a great deal . Cathy’s cousin , a cottage neighbour in Beaver Cove and just a great guy . Deepest sympathies to Karen and family .
Karen and family- So sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers. May he rest in peace.
Karen and family, So very sorry for your loss. Francis was always a welcome smile walking in our cottage door. His visits will be truly missed.
Karen and family’s of you and Cinq please accept my sincere Condolence’s …known by Cinq and also as a true gentleman he will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him…. Rest In Peace my friend and God Bless !!!!!
we are so sorry to hear about Cinq passing. our deepest condolences to Karen and family .
MacDonald family:
Please accept our sincere sympathy . Very sorry for your loss. Great memories shared with Cinq on the ball field and off. Great guy.He will be missed.
Dave , Mary French and family
Sincere condolences to Karen and to Francis’ family. I have known him and his family since he was a child. He will surely be missed. Rest easy Francis. ✝️
Karen and Mac Donald family
So sorry for your loss you are in my thoughts and prayers
Ken & Germaine (French) McLeod
Our Deepest Condolences to Karen Danielle Chris and Ryan and the MacDonald Family spent many day’s playing Baseball Darts and tossing washers with Cinq he was the great Southpaw tough to beat him at any of them. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. RIP CINQ Derrick &Norma Murphy
Karen and family. Sending my heartfelt condolences to you all. May Francis Rest in Peace. Good Bless you all.
Karen & Family,
So sorry to hear of Cinq,s passing. As kids he taught me how to play a mean game of poker over the stove at Mary Duck,s Store while we suppose to be in school at DonBosco. Had lots of fun with him as kids. RIP Cinq
Sorry for your loss,rest in peace Francis
Karen and families so very sorry for your loss Francis was a nice guy RIP my sincere condolences
Karen, Ryan & Family: So very sorry to learn of Francis passing. Great Hab fan and overall great guy. Amy still talks about her train ride ! Our sincere condolences to all.
So sorry for your loss Karen, my condolences to you and your family
I was saddened to hear of Francis’ passing. He and I spent many summers together as teens. Our paths turned in different directions in our aging years but I hold the memories of some of the antics we, as teens, got into. RIP Francis.