Person Page - 1418

Thomas “Blair” Arthur MacKinnon, of Westville, died suddenly from heart failure July 12, 2014. An avid outdoorsman, it seemed fitting that his last day resonated with the laughter of family and soaking up the sunshine of a beautiful summer day with many of the people he loved the most.

Blair was born on June 17, 1964, to Arthur and Ann (Whooten) MacKinnon. His childhood and youth was spent in Westville with his two younger sisters, many friends and numerous family pets.

Blair graduated from Stellarton High School in 1984 and later from what is now the Nova Scotia Community College Business Administration program. It was also in the Town of Stellarton that Blair met the love of his life, Caroll Baxter, their love story spanning 33 years. They were married on an August day in 1986 surrounded by the many family and friends who will miss him forever.

Blair was a master of many things but what he thought he excelled at the most was in the choosing of his partner in life and his three greatest accomplishments were the children they raised together: Ryan, Evan and Olivia.

Blair had an interesting and varied working career that epitomized his many interests. He worked as business manager of the familyowned Campbell’s Pharmacy in Westville alongside his father Arthur for 25 years. After the sale of the pharmacy in 2005, Blair turned his attention to his farm in Meadowville and also learning a new trade as a butcher and being employed by the Pork Shop in Denmark and Westville. His favourite but short career was as a lobster fisherman in Lismore. For the last three years, Blair has worked for Michelin. He and Caroll recently moved from the farm back to his old stomping grounds on North Main Street, Westville to be closer to his parents.

Blair inherited the genes of an animal lover from his mother Ann.

He especially loved his dogs and raised many Labs at the Meadowville farm and adopted many more that needed a home.

Blair’s favourite times were in the woods and in the brook hunting and fishing, often with his best friend and cousin Kent MacKinnon, his dad and son Evan. The stories of their escapades hunting moose in Newfoundland, wild boar off the coast of Nova Scotia or the fields and woods of west Pictou leaves nary a dry eye. His keen observations of the world and his special sense of humor transformed the ordinary into hilarious “Blairisms” that will continue to roll off tongues for years to come. Blair will be dearly missed by his wife of 27 years, Caroll; his children, Ryan and fiancée Tiffany Van den Enyden, Evan and partner Kelly Fraser and daughter Olivia and special friend Patrick Patterson; his parents, Arthur and Ann MacKinnon; sisters, Crystal MacKinnon Murray (Sean), Pictou, Lisa MacKinnon (Shane Sponagle), Scotsburn; nephews, Benjamin, Mac, Jack and Michael, and nieces, Georgia and Tess; uncle Clarrie and aunt Mary K MacKinnon, Westville; cousins, Kent (Tina), Porters Lake, Jyl (Trevor), Cole Harbour and Sarah MacKinnon, Westville; father-in-law Jim Baxter; brother-inlaw, Jim Baxter Jr; and sisters-in-law, Cindy ( Wayne) Martin and Chrystal (Richie) Baxter.

He was predeceased by mother-in-law Bonnie (MacKay) Baxter, Stellarton; grandparents, Thomas and Margaret MacKinnon and Arthur and Ella Whooten, both of Westville; grandparents-in-law, Jean Baxter, Stellarton, and Florence and Ralph Martin, New Glasgow.

Blair is resting at Eagles Funeral Home, North Main Street, Westville, with visitation on Wednesday, July 16, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral and celebration of Blair’s life will take place on Thursday, July 17, at 11 a.m. at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Church Street, Westville with Rev. Jim Webber Cook officiating.

Reception will be immediately following service in the church hall. Cremation to follow.²