Donnchadh Ghilleasbuig

Duncan “Archie J” MacIsaac was born in 1902, one of eleven children of Archie J MacIsaac and Eliza MacDougall. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family when he died in 1996. His ancestors emigrated from the Isle of Eigg, Scotland in 1820 and settled in St. Ninians.

Duncan worked the family farm until his retirement at age 73, when he relocated to Judique, living next door to sister Mary MacNeil. He quickly became a fixture in the community, where the priest and parish came to depend on him for maintenance of the Church and its grounds, especially the graves, which for many years with great care and legendary strength he dug by hand. His personal project was the relocation and rehabilitation of the pioneer graveyard to its present location next to the Church.

He harboured an abiding interest in all members of his community, both its youth and its elderly, as well as its history and family genealogies. He derived satisfaction from being a valued source of information for visitors from away seeking out their family roots, and he greatly enjoyed his regular visits with fellow seniors, card games and teas. Universally respected and loved by family and friends, his gravestone inscription reads:

Duine Air LethFirinneach Freasdalach FurachailSith Dhia Dha(Translation: An exceptional man/Truthful, righteous, always rendering service/Peace of God to him)

***Biography courtesy of Beaton Institute, Cape Breton University