Obituary for Jamie Gordon McDonnell
It is with deep sadness and broken hearts that we announce the sudden passing of Jamie Gordon McDonnell, 51, on December 4, 2019 at Yarmouth Regional Hospital.
Jamie was born on July 5, 1968 in Kamloops, BC. He moved to Yarmouth in 2001 and worked for many years for the Yarmouth Vanguard and later worked in the insurance industry. Jamie Mac was a masterful drummer who played with many bands both out west and in Yarmouth. He also mentored many new drummers as a drum teacher. Jamie loved drumming with every inch of his soul and he exuded pure joy on stage. To watch him play was a true privilege and his passing will leave a deep void among his fellow musicians. Jamie was a beloved presence in his community. Whether it was a quick greeting on the street or a long conversation about life and spirituality, you were better for having interacted with him - this was one of Jamie’s many gifts. Jamie was an active volunteer, a technology expert, and was famous for his homemade spaghetti sauce and pancakes. He loved to laugh and make other people laugh, his smile was contagious, and he had an unshakable faith that was absolutely awe-inspiring. The one thing that eclipsed Jamie's passion for drumming was his love for his wife and children. He was a devoted husband, best friend, and soulmate to Colleen - to witness their love for one another was truly humbling. He loved and supported his kids fiercely and was their loudest and most enthusiastic cheerleader. Jamie was so proud of his family. Jamie was predeceased by his parents, Terry and Elaine McDonnell, sister, Sandra McDonnell and brother, Greg McDonnell, all of whom he loved and missed dearly. Jamie leaves behind his wife and love of his life, Colleen Daley, children Elliot, Ayla, and Samantha McDonnell, all at home, sisters Trish McDonnell-Thellend (Rob) and Carole McDonnell-Popp (Brian), all of Kamloops, BC, parents-in-law John and Nancy Daley, South Ohio, brother-in-law Sean (Rose) Daley, St. Catherine's, ON, brother-in-law Mike (Jacqueline) Daley, South Ohio, nephew Trevor Balmer, nieces Amanda Balmer, Rachel and Brittany Daley, and Clara and Maeve Daley, great-nieces Sadie and Emily, and many good friends both in Yarmouth and Kamloops. Jamie touched the lives of many. We will miss him very, very much. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Sweeny’s Funeral Home and Crematorium, Yarmouth. Visitation will be on Wednesday, December 11 from 2:00-4:00pm and 6:00-8:00pm with prayers at 7:00pm at Sweeny’s Funeral Home, Yarmouth. Funeral Mass will be on Thursday, December 12 at 2:00pm at St. Ambrose Cathedral, Yarmouth, Father Henry Smolenaars officiating.Donations may be made to Gilles Boudreau and Friends Cancer Help Fund. Family flowers only. Online condolences may be made to sweenysfh@eastlink.ca or you may sign the guestbook online at www.sweenysfuneralhome.net
Jamie was born on July 5, 1968 in Kamloops, BC. He moved to Yarmouth in 2001 and worked for many years for the Yarmouth Vanguard and later worked in the insurance industry. Jamie Mac was a masterful drummer who played with many bands both out west and in Yarmouth. He also mentored many new drummers as a drum teacher. Jamie loved drumming with every inch of his soul and he exuded pure joy on stage. To watch him play was a true privilege and his passing will leave a deep void among his fellow musicians. Jamie was a beloved presence in his community. Whether it was a quick greeting on the street or a long conversation about life and spirituality, you were better for having interacted with him - this was one of Jamie’s many gifts. Jamie was an active volunteer, a technology expert, and was famous for his homemade spaghetti sauce and pancakes. He loved to laugh and make other people laugh, his smile was contagious, and he had an unshakable faith that was absolutely awe-inspiring. The one thing that eclipsed Jamie's passion for drumming was his love for his wife and children. He was a devoted husband, best friend, and soulmate to Colleen - to witness their love for one another was truly humbling. He loved and supported his kids fiercely and was their loudest and most enthusiastic cheerleader. Jamie was so proud of his family. Jamie was predeceased by his parents, Terry and Elaine McDonnell, sister, Sandra McDonnell and brother, Greg McDonnell, all of whom he loved and missed dearly. Jamie leaves behind his wife and love of his life, Colleen Daley, children Elliot, Ayla, and Samantha McDonnell, all at home, sisters Trish McDonnell-Thellend (Rob) and Carole McDonnell-Popp (Brian), all of Kamloops, BC, parents-in-law John and Nancy Daley, South Ohio, brother-in-law Sean (Rose) Daley, St. Catherine's, ON, brother-in-law Mike (Jacqueline) Daley, South Ohio, nephew Trevor Balmer, nieces Amanda Balmer, Rachel and Brittany Daley, and Clara and Maeve Daley, great-nieces Sadie and Emily, and many good friends both in Yarmouth and Kamloops. Jamie touched the lives of many. We will miss him very, very much. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Sweeny’s Funeral Home and Crematorium, Yarmouth. Visitation will be on Wednesday, December 11 from 2:00-4:00pm and 6:00-8:00pm with prayers at 7:00pm at Sweeny’s Funeral Home, Yarmouth. Funeral Mass will be on Thursday, December 12 at 2:00pm at St. Ambrose Cathedral, Yarmouth, Father Henry Smolenaars officiating.Donations may be made to Gilles Boudreau and Friends Cancer Help Fund. Family flowers only. Online condolences may be made to sweenysfh@eastlink.ca or you may sign the guestbook online at www.sweenysfuneralhome.net