OBITUARY: Father John McDonald was the former Parish Priest of Mt Pleasant, Collie, Cranbrook and Kondinin.
He was born in Bunbury and shortly after leaving school he went straight to Crafers in South Australia to a Ministry where he attained his priesthood.
This was in the days before there was a theological college in Western Australia, so it was normal practice for trainee persists to gain training over east.
His first posting was from 1970 to 1972 where he was an assistant priest in Albany. He then went on to the Kondinin Anglican Church where he was priest from 1972 to 1975.
From 1975 to 1979 Father John went on to be the Priest at the Anglican Church in Cranbrook.
It was during the years from 1979 to 1988 he was the Priest at the All Saints Anglican Church in Collie.
The residents knew him as a down to earth and approachable man, who would always have time for anyone who needed him, even if this meant putting others before himself.
It was during his time as a priest for the All Saints Anglican Church he used his culinary skills to set up a catering enterprise in Collie to help fundraise for the Anglican Church and managed to raise enough to keep on top of church running costs.
Father John and the volunteers would cater for events around town including the bi-monthly APEX meetings. The volunteers remember him as a man who was always a pleasure to work with and for.
Father John was also part of the local Hockey club in Collie, where he would often present a sermon straight after a match and still be wearing his hockey socks visible under his robe, much to the amusement of the parishioners.
His passion for gardening was also what Father John was well known for. He would often cut and display the flowers for the church himself, he would go around the Collie community and see who had a nice garden where he could source the flowers.
He was well known around town as the ‘people’s priest’ as he was friends with many people in the local community.
He left a lasting impact on the Collie Community who will always remember him as a man who was an asset to the church and the whole community.
His emphasis was always on the people as the number one priority in his life, as well as his family.
Father John McDonald left a lasting impact on the Collie community and was an asset to the community as well as to the Anglican Church
His funeral was held on January 9 in Fremantle. He leaves behind his wife Maxine and his son Ashley and daughter Claire.
