It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Lloyd Boyden MacLeod on December 4, 2021, at the Saint John Regional Hospital, surrounded by his loving family.  He was born on February 13, 1932 to the late Alvin and Maude (Bonness) MacLeod and was the loving husband to his wife of 63 years, M. Joan (White) MacLeod.  

Dad was an amazing man. Growing up on a farm, he walked a few miles each Sunday morning to the Oak Bay Baptist Church to light the wood stove so worshipers would be warm later that morning. He never had the chance to play organized sports, but as soon as a coach in St. Stephen saw him playing baseball once, he knew he had seen something special. Dad went on to become a local legend in the sport, as everybody in Charlotte County in those days and for many years later knew exactly who “Curly MacLeod” was. One fan was known to remark: “Ole’ Curly hit one so far, they are still looking for it!”. Apparently the Detroit Tigers of the American League agreed, offering Dad to a try out contract worth $1,000, not bad for a farm boy playing one summer of baseball in the 50’s. After one summer playing in Presque Isle, he decided to abandon a pro-ball pursuit in order to attend United Baptist Bible Training School (Crandall University) in Moncton. That was a good choice. Another good choice was to sit in the front row in class. That gave a young Joan White from Newcastle a chance, from her perch in the back row, to admire “those broad shoulders”. 

Not so many years later she was nestling up to those shoulders in wedding pictures in front of her church in Newcastle. Over the next 63 years, Lloyd and Joan raised their family and opened their homes to many people in St. George, Newcastle, Barkers’s Point, Saint John and Ottawa over Dad’s 39 years with NBTel. Most of those years were lived in Forest Hills. Dad immersed himself in the lives of Joan, Nancy, Todd, and Susan, as well as many means of service and joys of life. He served for many years pointing young men to Jesus as Chief Ranger in Stockade. He traveled to many churches as part of the Lighthouse Quartet, and be-friended officers and crew from all over the world whose ships found themselves for a few hours or several days in the Port of Saint John. So many of these friends landed in our home for meals and enjoyable evenings, as well as Christmas Eve or other services at Forest Hills Baptist.

He gained a love of photography, of brisk walks in Rockwood Park (one observer noted that he thought it was Lloyd, but he went by so fast he couldn’t be sure), of taking drives anywhere and everywhere with Mom. But most of all, he loved when his family came to visit. Dad thoroughly enjoyed each of his 8 grandchildren. And everyone of them loved their “Papa”. We have so much photographic evidence! A firm reminder to each one of his children or grandchildren to “DC” prior to their departure ensured that we all would “Drive Carefully”.

Dad’s bat continued to be sought after in local softball leagues for several years. It was a proud time celebrating with Dad and  about 7 remaining team-mates when they were inducted, as a team, into the New Brunswick Baseball Hall of Fame for their repeated Maritime championships in the late 50’s. One of his teammates was quoted that week in the St. Croix Courier in St. Stephen as saying that “Curly MacLeod was the best baseball player to ever come out of New Brunswick”. Another honor for Dad’s team, one that he never lived to experience due to delays caused by COVID, was their impending induction into the St. Stephen Wall of Fame.

In recent years, Dad’s retirement in 1991 afforded time to engage a second seasonal career lasting 19 years with H+R Block, spending so much time with his grandchildren, serving others, and just loving life. Mom and Dad never sat still long, travelling within NB, across Canada, and across the pond to visit said grandchildren (and children, I think!). They also exercised their social life through senior’s coffee times at McDonald’s, breakfast with Barb and Abby, lunch at various restaurants where servers became friends, and Lawton’s for many daily needs where staff also became friends.

The move to the Villa 53 weeks ago was a big change for Mom and Dad, but we knew we had the right apartment for them when Dad, walking into the unit for the first time, walked over to the window, scanned the incredible view of many buildings in uptown Saint John, and stated: “I could look at this view all day long.”

Dad loved people of all ages; his warm presence, engaging sense of humour, and genuine interest made people feel grateful and special to be in his presence. 

It is one thing to be alive for 90 years, as Dad was. But it is a much rarer quality to “live” for 90 years, as Dad did. Whether with family, at work, playing baseball, welcoming and engaging people in the lobby at Forest Hills Baptist, becoming a hero to so many young children, or serving others in a multitude of other ways, Dad lived those years to full value.  

This quality is entirely rooted in the most important relationship in his life. His Savior, the One in whom Dad found “life abundant”, said: “I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit…apart from me you can do nothing.” Judging from Dad’s incredibly worn out Bible, I know he often read and always believed that.

Whether moving to Ottawa, engaged as a leader on boards at Forest Hills Baptist and Crandall University (where 3 children, 2 in-laws, and 5 grand-children attended), keeping up with the educational and occupational pursuits of his grandchildren, driving Mom and Dolly all over southern New Brunswick on some adventure, enjoying the view of his beloved city that he thought he wouldn’t want to move to 65 years earlier, doing puzzle books, or simply sitting next to his love of 63 years, Dad was a deeply contented man. But that should not surprise us. After all, … 

“I keep my eyes always on the Lord.
    With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
    my body also will rest secure,

because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
    nor will you let your faithful one see decay.

You make known to me the path of life;
    you will fill me with joy in your presence,
    with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”

Psalm 16:8-11

In addition to his wife Joan, Lloyd is survived by his children, Todd (Karyn), Nancy (David) Morehouse and Susan (Braden) MacEachern; 7 grandchildren; 2 great grandchildren and 1 on the way; as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.  

Lloyd was the last surviving member of his immediate family, having been predeceased by his brothers; Alvin Jr., Arthur, Glenwood, Lawrence, Guy and twin brother Ralph; his sisters, Pauline, Bernice and Carol, and his adored grandson, Jonathan.  

Arrangements are entrusted to Fundy Funeral Home, 230 Westmorland Road (506-646-2424).  Visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 7, 2021, from 12:00-1:00 pm from the Forest Hills Baptist Church (36 Mountain Road) with a funeral service at 1:00 pm.  A reception will follow in the church.  Interment will take place at a later date in St. Stephen Cemetery.  Due to the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, all those attending the visitation and funeral will be required to provide proof of double vaccination and a piece of government issued identification.  For those who wish, memorial donations to Crandall University, Forest Hills Baptist Church or to the charity of the donor’s choice would be appreciated by his family.  For those unable to attend the service, please feel free to watch it at the following:  https://www.facebook.com/FhbChurchSaintJohn/  or

https://youtube.com/channel/UCw1OHCyfYNwWfG9OCEfl2HA