It is with great sadness that the family of Malcolm Russell O’Neill-Fischer announces his passing on Thursday, July 23, 2015 at the Emo Health Centre in Emo, Ont.
“Mac,” as he was known to most, embraced life and lived each day to the fullest. He had a passion for teaching, never quit learning, and made the most of his every experience.
Mac was born Nov. 30, 1929 in Aylesworth Township, Ont., the fourth child of Charles Milton Fisher and Mary Catherine (O’Neill) Fisher.
Mac’s early years were spent on the family farm in Aylesworth Township, where he attended the local one-room school. He later attended Fort Frances High School and then began years of varied work at McTaggarts Men’s Wear, The Narrows Ltd., Hansons’ Tourist Camp, The Emo Hotel, Beyek’s Cafe, and the Kenricia Hotel before moving to Winnipeg, Man. to work at The Knowles School for Boys as residence supervisor.
Mac moved to Vancouver to work as chief supervisor at Willingdon School for Girls. It was at this time that Mac met, and on Dec. 26, 1966 married, Eleanor (Jacobs) Cowley and became step-father to her children, Judith and Richard.
Mac then became a charter student at the newly-opened Simon Fraser University, from which he graduated with a double major in English in 1969. He received his Bachelor of Education in English Education that same year from the University of British Columbia.
After teaching English at Magee Secondary School for many years, Mac took a leave of absence from teaching to move back to Fort Frances to reside with his sister, Dorothy, and her daughters.
In 1979, Mac and Dorothy opened Dormac Enterprises, which they owned and operated for 10 years. After the store closed, Mac taught at Confederation College for the next 10 years and then spent the next five years teaching at the Seven Generations Education Institute before retiring.
He moved from Fort Frances to Vernon, B.C. for a few years, then returned to this area to settle at the Golden Age Manor in Emo.
Mac loved to travel, within Canada but mostly in Europe. He spent numerous summers in Ireland visiting family and friends.
Mac was deeply passionate about his past and had a wealth of knowledge on Irish tradition and customs. He worked long and hard on the O’Neill genealogy and traced the family tree back to the 1700s.
Mac loved spending time with family and friends, whether it was a quick visit for coffee or a big family gathering.
Mac is survived by his step-daughter, Judith (John) Shepherd and three grandsons, Russell, Gregory, and Jeffrey and their families; and step-son, Richard (Wendy) Cowley and two granddaughters, Katelyn and Kendall.
Also surviving are four nieces, Eleanor (Desmond) Grant and family, Carol (Ken) Inkster and family, Barbara (William) Holland and family, and Claire Fisher; three nephews, John (Donna) Wood and family, Terry (Mary) Wood and family, and Charles (Monica) Fisher; one nephew-in-law, Rick Stamarski and family; one sister-in-law, Patricia Fisher; and numerous cousins both in Canada and in Ireland.
Mac was predeceased by his wife, Eleanor Fisher; his parents, Milton and Mary Fisher; two sisters, Gertrude Wood and Dorothy Bergstrom; two brothers, Edward Fisher and Robert Fisher; and one niece, Carolyn Stamarski.
In accordance with Mac’s wishes, cremation has taken place.
An interment of his ashes will take place Monday, Aug. 24, 2015 at 11 a.m. at the Emo Cemetery, with a luncheon to follow at the Northridge Funeral Home in Emo.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing may send donations to the Emo Health Centre c/o Northridge Funeral Home, P.O. Box 89, Emo, Ont., P0W 1E0.
Online condolences may be offered at www.northridgefuneralhome.com
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