Jennifer, Jeffrey and Jonathan are saddened to announce the passing of their beloved father, Lester Arnold MacMaster, 77, of Amherst.
Lester was born on a snowy Sunday afternoon, December 15, 1946, at Rexton, Kent County, New Brunswick. He was the fourth of six children born to Edgar Donald and Ruth Merrill (Brown) MacMaster of Richibucto, Kent County, New Brunswick.
Lester and his family settled in Amherst in 1957 when his father began his tenure as town engineer. At 18, Lester began his career in the car business. From his introduction to the business at Willow Mercury Sales in Truro, to his years with Bill Casey at his GM and Ford franchises in Amherst, to the 33 years spent with the Tantramar Motors teams in downtown Amherst and on Robert Angus Drive, Lester took pride and delight in making people happy with their vehicle ownership. He had a long, loyal client base and developed many friendships over the years.
Lester loved his work; but, there was never any question about his motivation and purpose: his family was his reason for everything! Beyond all else, his children were his passion and his grandchildren his greatest source of joy and pride. There was nothing he loved more than playing Santa to Maggie, Caroline, Owen, Hannah, Isabelle, and Audrey, and with ‘Papa’, every day was like Christmas!
Lester will be remembered as a wonderful cook who loved family meal gatherings. He set the menu (even potlucks), prepared the fare, and directed the action. All who had the good fortune to enjoy a MacMaster family meal event were in for a treat.
Lester was a beautiful gardener. Plants thrived and flowers bloomed gorgeously under his patient, watchful care. His children’s gardens all benefited from his care.
Importantly, it is Lester’s legacy of quiet giving that made him so special and which resonates with his family. It's true what they say: not all heroes wear capes. He was not lauded or recognized for his generosity and philanthropy; nor did he want to be. He gave when and where he saw need, and he did it for no other reason than a desire to help.
Lester was loving, kind, and funny. He was also driven, independent and often stubborn. But, he had a truly generous heart and those whom he loved felt that love deeply. He is missed.
Lester is survived by his three children and their families: Jennifer, Angus, and Margaret "Maggie" Furlong of Amherst; Jeffrey, Ada, Hannah, Isabelle, and Audrey MacMaster of Halifax; and Jonathan, Sarah, Caroline and Owen MacMaster of Amherst. Also survived by sisters, Nancy (Diek) Foerstel of Barrie, ON; Carol (Alan) Baldock of Amherst; Janet (late, Gordon) Watts of Simcoe, ON; brother, Paul McMaster, of Moncton; and sisters-in-law, Elizabeth (late, Alan) Morrison of Tidnish, and Eleanor (Earl) Casey of Truro. Lester is survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, he was pre-deceased by his beloved wife Margaret "Margie" Jean (Morrison), brother, Douglas, and infant grandson, Gideon.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Jones Family Funeral Centre, 70 Church St., Amherst, NS (902-667-8777) where a visitation will take place Wednesday, August 28th, 2024 from 6 PM to 8 PM. A funeral service will take place on Thursday, August 29th at 2 PM at Trinity-St. Stephen's United Church followed by a reception at Amherst Golf and Country Club from 3 PM to 5pm. Lester’s remains will be laid to rest with Margie, his parents, and Gideon, in a private family burial ceremony.
Those wishing to make a donation in Lester's memory may do so to Music at Trinity, the Bridge Adult Service Centre or the VON.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.jonesfamilyfuneralcentre.ca or through the Jones Family Funeral Centre Facebook page.