Age 64, of Margaree Forks, NS, passed away unexpectedly at the QEII Health Sciences Centre in Halifax on Thursday, April 27th, 2023 due to complications following heart surgery.
Blair was the third of six children, born on June 11, 1958 in Cheticamp, to Austin and Joan (Andrews) McDaniel. He was passionate about fishing, hunting, and farming. He would often be found down at ‘the point’ or at Tanner’s Run with his rod catching fish, or maybe even picking berries to bring home to his grandchildren. His earliest jobs were working in the woods and with the Department of Highways. He spent many years working as a bricklayer, so drives around Cape Breton would have him pointing out all of the chimneys that he had built. Every day would include a trip to ‘the Goat’ for his coffee, where the staff would always have his order ready to go. The last years of his life were spent working as a bus driver, and the happiness and safety of the children on his bus was of great importance to him.
He was incredibly proud of his three sons – the seventh generation to live on ‘the hill’. He was always quick to share their accomplishments and the latest news about their families. Above all, his grandchildren were his greatest pride and joy in life. Teaching them to fish and hunt, taking them for tractor rides, making them some ‘Poppy toast’, and having them ask for gum from the front left pocket of his plaid shirt are just some special ways that memories were made. He was also always very proud to attend events that supported his grandchildren like Antigonish Bulldogs hockey games and events supporting Autism Nova Scotia.
Poppy served his community as a Life Member of the Margaree Kinsmen, and volunteered for the likes of the St. Patrick’s Hall Committee, and the Western Cape Breton Cursillo and Challenge Movements. He also took great pride in serving his community by plowing driveways after heavy snowfalls, delivering fresh-caught fish to senior citizens, and caring for neighboring summer properties. He was able to hold a conversation with pretty much anyone, as storytelling was one of his many gifts.
Blair is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, Stella (Doucet), his three sons Matthew (Amber), St. Andrews, Jason (Sarah), Margaree Forks, Christopher (Mariah), Bible Hill, and his five beautiful grandchildren: Myles, Ty, Ainsley, Layla and Wyatt. Blair is also survived by his brother George (Danette), Lower Sackville, brother-in-law Bernie (Rose Anne) MacIsaac, and sister-in-law Donna. He is further survived by his brothers-in-law Isidore (Delina), Dennis (Bertha), and Daniel (Marcella) Doucet, sisters-in-law Rosella (Stephen) Chiasson, Dora Aucoin and Marie-Stella Doucet, as well as his aunts Shirley (Claude) and Debbie, uncle David (Diane), two Godchildren, Adrian and Rebecca, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Blair was predeceased by his parents, Austin and Joan, his brothers Billy, Herbie and Frankie, his sister Sherri-Lee, and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Arthur and Margaret Doucet. He was likewise predeceased by his brothers-in-law Freddie LeBlanc, Raymond Doucet and Edgar Aucoin, and his sister-in-law Marie LeBlanc.
Visitation will take place on Monday May 1st, 2023 from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm at St. Patrick’s Hall, NE Margaree. A funeral Service will take place on Tuesday May 2nd, 2023 at St. Patrick’s Church, NE Margaree at 11 am, presided by Fr. Silvichan Dominic with interment to follow in St. Patrick’s Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Blair’s memory to the Margaree Salmon Association to contribute to restoration efforts along parts of the Margaree River, which he greatly loved and where he spent much of his time.
Condolences
Our prayers and thoughts are with you at this sad time. Blair will be deeply missed by all those who have had the pleasure of knowing him. God bless all of you.
Stella,
I was so sorry to hear of Blair’s passing. My brother Myles just told me. Blair should have had many more years with you and his family. Gone too soon. Thinking of you
Betty Tompkins
Sincere condolences to Blairs wife Stella and sons Matthew, Jason, Christopher as well as the whole family. He will remain in my thoughts and prays.
RIP Blair
I am so deeply sorry for your families loss Stella. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Sending lots of love. Juanita
Stella, thinking of you and all your family, Blair will surely be missed in the community, sending prayers to you all. Bobby and Laura fortune and family.
Dear Stella and family. Our deepest condolences are extended to your at your time of great loss.
May he rest in Peace
Matt and Amber,
So sorry to hear of your father’s passing Matt. He sounds like a really amazing man. Your boys appear to have inherited his kind, caring ways. Thinking of you all during these tough times.
My sincere sympathies to you Stella and the entire family. R.I.P. Blair
Stella and Family you are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Conrad and Karen Burton
Blair and I had many chats. Most were “drive by chats”, when he was driving on Acadian Road (or in the Coop parking lot).
I would be outside on Evan and Chelsey’s deck, and here would come Blair in his truck… the windows would always be down and our conversations of trout fishing, about my grandparents and the trout fish he use to catch for them.
Blair shared MANY of his trout fishing tricks with me, and the one I will never forget is how to freeze them properly. And, don’t worry Blair, I will be taking that one to the grave with me as I promised buddy.
We are so terribly sorry for the Family’s loss, his friends loss, the community’s loss and CBH School’s loss.
Sending our love, strength and prayers to all. Lots of love,
The Burns’
Sarah JASON &McDaniel family you are all in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time May GOD BLESS YOU ALL LOVE Joan &Bob PENNEY
So sad to hear about the passing of your father. My thoughts and prayers go out to you Matt and your entire family during this difficult time.
Our deepest sympathies to Stella and the family
Sincere condolences to all those who loved Blair and who will greatly miss him.
To the whole family, our deepest condolences for your sudden and unexpected loss. We were so sorry to hear about it and our love goes to the family. David, Jill and family.
So sorry for your loss Matt and family.
Noel and Wanda d’Entremont
So sorry for your loss Mariah. And Christopher. Sincere condolences to you both at this difficult time.
So sorry to hear of his passing. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the family.
My heartfelt condolences to you all at this sad time, and the days ahead comfort you with the greatest love of family with memories.
Sincerest condolences Stella from the boys at Emile and Valerie’s.
Blair was an amazing community leader whose impact on the Margarees has been tremendous.
Rob, Glen, Jamie and Basil
Thoughts and prayers are with the family. I am sorry to hear of your loss.
Much love to the family . Loss of a great man.
We didn’t know Blair well, but we know some of his family very well and know they are heartbroken by this tremendous loss! It is obvious that Blair will be missed by his family, friends and all of the community. Our sincere condolences to all who knew him.
I’m so sorry to all Blair’s family and closest friends and colleagues, especially my beautiful friend, his wife Stella for your immense loss. May God bless you and hold you all in his loving embrace. Rest in peace Blair, my friend.
So very sorry to hear of Blair’s passing..sending my deepest sympathy to you Stella and family! Thinking of you! ❤️
Stella and Family, you all are in my thoughts and prayers.