Leaving a legacy

Summerside businessman remembered for his lifelong contributions to P.E.I.

“He treated every single person with respect.” Kathy O’rourke

Prince Edward Island business owner D. Alex Macdonald is being remembered for his generosity and the love for his community after his death on May 12 at 95 years old.

Named Daniel Alexander, but known by many simply as “D. Alex,” Macdonald was born in Travellers Rest on March 3, 1927. He was a young man with a passion for cars, which took him from washing and tinkering with them to opening a used car dealership in 1957.

Only four years later, he received the Ford franchise for a dealership in Summerside, a dealership that still bears his name more than 60 years later.

But building the business was not easy with everything he was juggling at the time, said Macdonald's daughter, Kathy O'rourke.

“Him and my mom had 11 kids, and at the time, he was starting a new business, borrowing money and raising a family.”

The dealership was a family affair, with seven of his children working at the shop at one time. With many long-term employees, the dealership became a staple in Summerside.

“When I walk into the dealership, there are people I know there from forever. They're just part of the fabric there,” O'rourke said. “My dad loved Summerside and he was extremely proud to be part of that community.”

A humble upbringing played a major role in Macdonald's ability to connect with everyone and his impact on those around him spread throughout the community.

“I'm sure there are lots of people that have benefited from my dad that we probably don't even know about because it's the kind of person he was. He just knew how fortunate he was to have what he had.”

LIFELONG ACHIEVEMENTS

A former Summerside city councillor and past chair of the Prince County Family Welfare Agency, Macdonald was inducted into the P.E.I. Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame in 2013. He was also named the 2016 George Key Sr. Summerside citizen of the year.

“At that time, he was over 90 years old. I don't know how many people of that age are still contributing so much to their community,” O'rourke said.

With as many achievements as he had, singling out one favourite can be nearly impossible. But to O'rourke, her father's work in all areas of the Summerside business community is something he would be proud to have accomplished.

“Back in that time, it wasn't as easy to do what they did, maybe as it is today. I think he would be pretty proud of the community that came together to replace the old Summerside curling club and to see the Silver Fox still a beautiful curling facility today,” O'rourke said.

Macdonald's contributions to Summerside helped shape the city, and he will be remembered as a “fine gentleman, great businessperson and a great supporter of projects in Summerside,” said Summerside mayor Basil Stewart in an interview with Saltwire Network.

“Just a tremendous person, and we were very sorry and sad to hear when he passed on,” Stewart said. “I have known him for years and talked to him on the phone only a few weeks ago.”

Never officially retiring, Macdonald continued to visit the dealership almost every day until his death, and this passion for his work will be preserved through his businesses for years to come.

“We lost a great person, but we have his memories, and we have everything that he worked on so hard over the years still with us,” Stewart said. “Summerside is so much better off because of D. Alex (Macdonald).”

LASTING LEGACY

For many, Macdonald's generosity to those around him set him apart.

“If you talk to anyone, they just respected my father so much. He didn't care where you came from or what your name was,” O'rourke said. “He grew up on a farm and started the business with a grade eight education, so he truly understood those that didn't come from much.”

After a lifetime of hard work and dedication, Macdonald's legacy is one that will last for years.

“He treated every single person with respect,” O'rourke said. “I think if that's a legacy you can leave, it's a pretty powerful one.”