Paul Anthony McKinnon
1931-2023
Peacefully,
after a life well lived, at the Prince Edward Home in Charlottetown on
May 25, 2023 of Paul Anthony McKinnon, in his 93rd year, of the
Sandstone Chesapeake Charlottetown and formerly of Clyde River,
PEI.
Beloved and devoted husband of 70 years of Pauline
(Hogan) and dear father and mentor to Colin (Deirdre), New Haven;
Colleen (Anthony) Atkinson, Halifax; and Kathy/Kate McKinnon Clow,
Cornwall. Cherished Grampy to Josh (Leanne) McKinnon, Sara (Asher)
McKinnon, Craig (Lori) Atkinson, Emily Atkinson, Michaela Atkinson,
Cory (Lindsay) Clow and Kevin Clow. Great Grampy to Lyla McKinnon
Pemberton.
Paul was born in Douglastown, NB
on February 8, 1931 to the late Vincent and Catherine (Wood) McKinnon
and was the seventh son of the seventh son. He was the last surviving
member of his family having been predeceased by John (Cecelia),
Chester (Buddy), Basil, Hugh, Clair and William and his beloved
sister, Nora (Robert Daley). He was predeceased by son-in-law Dale
Clow, in-laws Philip (Catherine), Clifford (Mary), Willard (Muriel),
Kevin (Betty) and Gerard Hogan, Alyre Cormier, and Gerry LeBlanc. Paul
is survived by Marina Cormier Le Blanc; Helen Hogan; and Patricia and
Floyd Kelly and many nieces and nephews.
At the early age
of 16, Paul left NB and traveled afield to Ontario to seek his fame
and fortune. He enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces and proudly
served his country in Churchill, Manitoba; overseas in Germany; and #5
Depot in Moncton. While stationed in Moncton, he met the love of his
life, Pauline, who was formerly from Cumberland, PEI, and in 1952,
they were married at St. Martin De Tours, in the sandstone church in
Cumberland. Paul accepted a position as Fire Chief with the Ministry
of Transport at the Charlottetown Airport and purchased his beloved
Skyeglen Farm in Clyde River and there his love of horses and the
harness racing industry flourished. He became director of the United
States Trotting Association and remained Director Emeritus until his
passing. Some of his passions were ice racing on the North River
Causeway, matinee racing at Pinette and catching the last ferry after
racing at Brunswick Downs in Moncton. Some of his favorite horses were
Golden Diana, Gordie H and of course Skyeglen Benson.. He was
instrumental in helping many horsemen receive their Driver and Trainer
License’s under his supervision and tutelage including the
top male and female drivers in Canada. He developed life long
friendships with horsemen in the Maritimes and across Canada and the
United States. He held near and dear his extended family fellow
horsemen in Cape Breton. Paul was also an active member of the Royal
Canadian Legion and served on the Executive of Kingston Branch 30 in
New Haven.
After moving to the Chesapeake, he made many new
friends and enjoyed Friday night Slick and Slack Auction with Roger,
Sterling, the late Scotty MacPhail, Colin and anyone who cared to join
in. Most evenings, you could find Paul in the foyer storytelling with
Shane, Blair, Charlie, Sterling and Jack discussing the happenings of
the day and recanting past history.
Resting at Hennessey Cutcliffe
Charlottetown Funeral Home. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Francis
of Assisi on Saturday, May 27, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. with interment at
St. Martin de Tours Cemetery, Cumberland, PEI. Visitation Friday, May
26 from 4-6 p.m. with a legion prayer service starting at 3:45
p.m.
Memorial donations can be made to the St. Martins of
Tours Fiona Steeple repair Fund or the Last Post Fund. Flowers
gratefully declined.
The family wish to thank the
staff of Fox Meadow who became Paul’s extended family in the
last year and each and everyone who treated him with love, respect and
dignity in his last remaining days with us and in particular, Jason,
Lisa, Tammy, Marlene, Kaitlyn, Jackie, Candice, Troy and sweet Emma.
Raise a glass of the Captain, or let the moon shine bright as Paul
parades down the back stretch one last time towards Victory Lane and
know that he will be missed but his memory will live
on.
To listen to a tribute to Paul McKinnon, please click on the following link: