Macksville’s Donald John McLeod – known to everyone as Don – passed away on June 22 after a courageous battle with cancer. Surrounded by family, he died at Port Macquarie Base Hospital at age 66.

Don’s children have paid an emotional tribute to their father, describing how their lives were full of laughter, and how despite his suffering he was still laughing, smiling and joking in the week before he died.

Don was born on July 2, 1949 at Macksville Hospital to Rita Iris McLeod (92) and Ivan Francis McLeod (deceased).

He was the second eldest of six children – Beryl Wall, Norm McLeod, Lyn McLeod, Gwenda Wallace and Ross McLeod. All grew up in the family home.

Educated at St Patricks in Macksville, Don left school at 16 to begin work with the Commercial Bank of Australia – which later merged to become Westpac. 

He started in Canberra and was transferred to Long Jetty, Manly and even Nowra, during which time he played rugby league for Bomaderry and was involved in Nowra-Culburra Surf Club.

From there, Don went to Wollongong and on to Sydney branches before becoming an accountant at Randwick. He then exited the city and transferred to Moree and Yamba before becoming a manager at Gulgong.

In 1989 Don became a father to Benjamin Ivan McLeod, and two years later a beautiful daughter arrived, Grace Elizabeth McLeod.

Unfortunately, while Don enjoyed his banking career and made many friends along the way he took early retirement from the bank for health reasons.

Don moved his family to Macksville in January 1991. He lived in Glenmore Cres for 25 years and sold his house just one month prior to passing away.

While Don was back home in the Valley he became part-time farmer/cattle breeder on the Scotts Head Rd property and a full time father. Don was a wonderful doting father to his children and always made himself available for them.

He had them involved in swimming club, rugby league, little athletics, netball and tennis. A lot of his time was spent taking the kids to swimming training and carnivals on weekend.

Don was heavily involved in St. Pat’s parish and all things regarding parish finances. Don was a long standing member of the Parish Finance Committee and he served on the St Patrick's School Board from 1992 to until recently. He also was involved in the Parents and Friends Association for a number of years.

Don was a loyal, sincere, generous and strongly motivated person. His strength, courage and tenacity and his desire to enjoy life and his community were present until the very end.

He lived a full and exciting life and in 2013 Don witnessed his first born, Ben, marry the love of his life Sam, while earlier this year, Don was able to walk Grace down the isle to the man of her dreams, Michael.

Don’s sparkling personality, his unforgettable smile and friendliness will be missed by many in Macksville and beyond.

A memorial service to celebrate his life, held at St Patrick’s Church in Macksville on Tuesday, was attended by many friends and family.

A poem by Rhonda Braswell, titled Come With Me, was posted to social media by Grace after Don’s passing.

It reads:

Vale, Don McLeod.