St. Clair College is mourning the passing of one of its founders.
Mason H. MacDonald, who made a mark as a founder of the college but was also instrumental in the advancement of its athletic program, died in Windsor on Sunday, January 14, according to an obituary provided by Families First.
He was 90.
The Nova Scotia native was educated at Dalhousie University, then Springfield College in Massachusetts and the University of Florida. He helped found the Western Ontario Institute of Technology, a forerunner of St. Clair College, in 1958. WOIT became St. Clair College in 1967 and MacDonald served as a professor and the college's first Dean of Applied Arts.
In addition to his academic contributions, he also helped grow the college's athletic department. He served as its first athletic director and coached the hockey, soccer and basketball teams. After WOIT became St. Clair College he served as its curling coach for over 20 years.
The athletic department continues MacDonald's legacy by naming its male and female athletes-of-the-year awards after him.
MacDonald is survived by his wife of over 60 years, Dorothy, along with sons Mason and Dalton and two grandchildren.
Families First says there is no funeral and MacDonald had requested his body be donated to science. A memorial tree will be planted in his name.
