Obituary of Rory Clarence McDonald

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Rory McDonald, a lifelong resident of Dawson Creek, British Columbia, on Sunday, December 31, 2023, at the age of 43 years.

Rory was born on Sunday, July 27, 1980, in Dawson Creek, British Columbia. He was the firstborn child of David and Velda McDonald, followed almost two years later by his sister Patty. Rory loved being an older brother and all the privileges that came with it, like picking on Patty. Heaven forbid anyone else did though!

When Rory was little, the family lived beside his grandma and grandpa, on a little property in Tupper, just outside Dawson Creek. David was transferred to a different job within CN Rail that relocated the family to Wanham, Alberta when Rory was five. Wanham is where Rory started kindergarten and where he developed his love of hockey. Whether it be ball hockey, street hockey, or ice hockey, Rory loved hockey! He may have been little, but boy was he mighty! When Rory was in grade 5, the family moved back to Dawson Creek, where Rory continued with his love of hockey.

In 2002, Rory decided to go on an adventure with friends out of Dawson Creek to live in Oliver, British Columbia. It was in Oliver that Rory met his soon-to-be girlfriend, Kalee. Rory and Kalee relocated back to Dawson Creek in the summer of 2003. In 2004 they welcomed their firstborn child, Autumn. Four years later a second baby girl named Aurora arrived, and in 2010 they had another daughter, Ariel. Rory was very proud of his three beautiful girls. A couple of years later Rory found himself in a new relationship with Amanda. At the time they got together Amanada was pregnant, but that never bothered Rory at all. Anson was born and Rory was a proud father to his first boy! Not long after Anson was born, Ryder came along. Rory was now the proud father of three beautiful girls and two handsome boys. Unfortunately, that relationship didn’t pan out for Rory, and he found himself in the company of Alisha. Together they had a son, Andrew, who is now 16 months old.

Rory was always up for an adventure. Whether it be hunting or horseback riding, Rory was game. He hardly ever had an actual plan, much to his sister’s dismay. Rory once talked his sister, Patty, into going on a road trip with him. They were all game and ready to go, and when they finally hit the road Patty inquired about that plan and where they would be staying. Rory didn’t have a plan at all! They were just headed south in whatever direction the wind happened to take them and they would stay wherever they landed. Always a great time and a good trip, but never a pre-planned itinerary!

Rory lived up to his nickname, Maciwno (Match-Ee-We-no). A nickname his grandmother gave him that mean man who hunts in Cree. Rory and his dad spent many years hunting! Buffalo hunting was their absolute favourite and was where Rory’s love for buffalo originated.  They were his favourite animal and will always be a symbolic reminder of him. Rory was known to be the quickest to harvest and animal. Many stories have been told of hunting with Rory. After a shot was taken the crew would stop for a break and by the time they finished a cigarette, they’d turn around and Rory would have the animal gutted and ready to be loaded.

As many know, Rory struggled with addiction issues. His battles with addiction started in his late teen/early adult years with the social use of party substances. This soon developed into a full-blown addiction. He was a warrior who never stopped trying to get himself sober. After almost a year of sobriety, his mother, Velda, passed away in 2018 and the battle with grief became too much. His demons became a welcome device to us, to cope with the traumatic loss of his mother. Rory was a warrior who never stopped trying to get himself clean. One of his latest victories being almost a month sober just prior to his passing. Unfortunately, this last battle was a battle lost.

Living life to the fullest is what Rory did! He had a huge heart, he loved and felt deeply. He was a very giving person. If he had it and you needed it, it was yours. Rory had a laugh that could fill a room and a smile to match. Rory left his mark wherever he went and on whoever he met. When asked, some of Rory’s friends and exes would say that some of his best qualities were his smile, his laugh, his sense of adventure, how he cared for other, how they always knew that had a genuine friend who would be there for them no matter what, the way the felt happy and comfortable when they were around him, how you always knew where you stood with him, and how happy he truly was around his kids. Rory will be greatly missed by all who knew him.  

Rory’s family held a Celebration Of Life for him at the Nawican Bergeron Youth and Cultural Center on Saturday, January 20, 2024, at 1:30 pm.

Very Respectfully, Reynars Funeral Home & Crematorium