Obituary of Arthur Thomas MacKinnon

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Arthur Thomas MacKinnon of Westville.

Art was born on January 29, 1942 on the same day as his wife of 55 years, Ann (Whooten) MacKinnon.  He was the eldest son of the late Thomas and Margaret (Bezanson)MacKinnon.

Art was proud of his childhood growing up in the “Black Diamond.”  He was a graduate of Westville High School and was the first of three students to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from Dalhousie University in 1964.

Art worked his entire career at Campbell’s Pharmacy in Westville, eventually purchasing the business from John Campbell.  He was a dedicated community Pharmacist that could be called on at all hours of the night or on holidays to open the store for a family who needed medicine for a fevered baby or an urgent refill of medication. He was loved by his customers who trusted his advice but also being entertained by a joke or one of his many stories.  Art loved to laugh at himself as much as anything and his antics usually kept him well supplied with comedic material.

But it was outside where Art found his real joy.  He loved his British motorcycles, fishing the local brooks and hunting for the biggest buck. He instilled this same passion in his best friend and son Blair.  He loved puttering in his veggie gardens in town and at the cottage in Lismore often with a beer in hand. He enjoyed travelling with Ann but his favorite moments were cracking lobsters and building bonfires at the cottage with his children and grandchildren.  Art will be remembered as the parent who took all of the neighbourhood kids trick or treating and for his fireworks displays at Hallowe’en.  He and Ann loved their annual Canada Day Party on North Main Street welcoming their children’s growing circle of friends and having the backyard pool sparkling so you could tell if a quarter was heads or tail in the deep end.

He was a supporter of many community initiatives and a mentor for many a young pharmacist.  He was a long time board member of the Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia

Art was pre-deceased by his parents and son Thomas Blair Arthur MacKinnon.  He is survived by his wife Ann (Whooten), daughter Crystal and son-in-law Sean Murray of Pictou, daughter Lisa and son-in-law Shane Sponagle of Scotsburn.  Daughter-in-law Caroll MacKinnon, Brother Clarrie MacKinnon and sister-in-law Mary K MacKinnon, grandchildren Ryan (Tiffany), Evan (Kelly), Olivia MacKinnon, Benjamin, Mac, Georgia, Tess Murray and Jack and Michael Sponagle. Nephew Kent (Tina) MacKinnon and Nieces Jyl(Trevor) MacKinnon-Robinson and Sarah MacKinnon.

Cremation has taken place. Arrangements are under the direction of Eagles Funeral Home in Westville. No visitation by request.  A celebration of Art’s life will take place at 2 pm on Tuesday, May 8 at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church on Church Street in  Westville with Reverend Jim Webber Cook presiding.  Family flowers only. Donations in Art’s memory can be made to the Pictou County SPCA or to the St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church.