====== Macdonald, Duncan ====== (18 Oct. 1865-26 Feb. 1945), clergyman. **(**Father Dunc, Big Dunc Macdonald, Fr Duncan Macdonald (Baker), Fr Duncan, le bon Père Dunc; had title Very Rev.; sp. MacDonald is commonly found, but he is said to have consistently used Macdonald**)** Born at Glen Sandfield, GC. Parents: Donald “Baker” MacDonald and his wife Elizabeth MacDonald. He attended primary school at Glen Sandfield, Alexandria High School, and the University of Ottawa. A tall, powerful man, he established a distinguished record as a member of the university’s football team, itself a much noted champion team of the time. Throughout the remainder of his life, he continued to be remembered as someone who in those days of his youth had been a most outstanding player. He studied for the priesthood at the Grand Seminary in Montreal. His ordination to the priesthood was on 22 Dec. 1894, in Montreal. Early in his priesthood, he was a curate at St. Finnan’s in Alexandria. Afterwards, he was the founding pastor of St. Martin of Tours Parish, Glen Robertson, remaining pastor there for over 20 years. At St. Martin of Tours, he led the building of the church and presbytery, and when the church was destroyed in the fire of 1915 he led in its rebuilding. When work on the new church (itself destroyed by fire in 1954) was almost completed, he was transferred in 1916 to Nativity parish, Cornwall. At Nativity, he was a dynamic priest, active in forming and leading parish organizations. He was noted for his charitableness (especially important in the hard Depression years, and in one of the less prosperous areas of Cornwall). He is said to have personally raided the premises of bootleggers in his Cornwall parish, smashing their stock. At Nativity, he preached and otherwise addressed his flock in both English and French. In 1942, in failing health, after 26 years as pastor at Nativity, he was made chaplain of Nazareth Orphange, Cornwall. He died in Hotel Dieu Hospital, Cornwall. He is buried at St. Alexander’s cemetery, Lochiel. His brother Donald B. MacDonald (1870-1955), known as Dan Baker, a farmer at Glen Sandfield, was reeve of Lochiel, and in 1943 was warden of SDG. Dan Baker’s //Glengarry News// obituary says “Mr. MacDonald was active in Liberal party circles in this riding over many years and held the position of vice-president at the time of his death.” ---- //Standard Freeholder// 27 Feb. & 1 March 1945 * biog. by Angus H. Macdonell, prepared for his induction into Glengarry Sports Hall of Fame, //Glengarry News// 28 May 1986 (with line sketch by Douglas A. Fales) * gravestone, Lochiel * Villeneuve 58-59, 205-207, 257-259 * //Comme un jour dans la nuit: Nativité de la Bienheureuse Vierge Marie: Cornwall 1887-1987// (1987?), with portrait * //Sinnsearachd// 19, 140-141 * Ross, //Lancaster//, 339 * Senior: index * Choquette): index * early portrait, //GN supplement 1903// [9] * Old Time Stuff” column, //Ottawa Citizen// 4 Feb. 1939, on University of Ottawa rugby of 1890s, with group picture of 1889 championship team, cited //GN// 17 Feb. 1939 * Dan Baker MacDonald: obituary, tribute by C. C. Fraser, //GN// 17 & 24 Feb. 1955; Harkness, 506, 509 (portrait); printed volume of //Minutes of Proceedings// of SDG Council for 1943 (portrait) [<6>]