Roderick Richard MacDougall was born in Wingham, Ontario in 1939, and died peacefully in the presence of his loved ones on November 1, 2026 in London, Ontario. Raised in Bruce County, Rod practiced Law in Toronto and later in London, retiring at the age of 75. He leaves behind two daughters from his previous marriage, his partner Maryann McGhie and her children Loree Kay (Steve), Brad McGhie (Linda), John Paul McGhie (Catherine), and Susan Baldwin, along with the grandchildren: Adam, Rachel (Rachel), Karly (Alan), James, Spencer, Jenny, Charlie, Simon, and Gavin; as well as great grandchildren Owen, Elsie and Malia.
A huge fan of sports, especially London Knights hockey and Blue Jays baseball, Rod had an exceptional memory for games played, even those from years when the Toronto Maple Leafs were Stanley Cup contenders. A graduate of Queens University, Rod maintained his friendships with fellow classmates until the very day of his death when they shared a pint at a local pub. He and Maryann were avid travellers and members of both the Arva United Church and later St.John’s Anglican Church, both in Arva; and he enjoyed a number of years as a Mason. Predeceased by his father Peter MacDougall, mother Minnie MacDougall (Richards), sister Anna Parks, and brother-in-law David Parks, Rod is survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews and other family members who were always challenged by his habit of asking question after question about politics, sports and anything that he had read about in the Globe and Mail, his favorite paper.
Following Rod’s wishes cremation has taken place and a private celebration of his life will be held in the future. Haskett Funeral Home, LUCAN entrusted with arrangements.
He would want everyone to remember his most frequent goodbye phrase:
“As they say in Bruce County: ‘Don’t think it ain’t bin grand!’”.
We are always willing to go where called upon but this image shows a visual of the communities that our included in our initial transportation fee. We offer a 40km radius from any of our 5 locations (Arva (London), Exeter, Lucan, Seaforth, and Zurich). Any mileage beyond the included 40km will be charged a rate of $2.50/km (one way travel only).
Bev Brown
So sorry to hear about Rod. Condolences to your family Maryanne. We had a lot of fun playing volleyball and socializing over the years.
Peter McNaughton
Rod and I met in first year law school and became friends immediately. After our three years of law school, we articled together for a year with a large Toronto Bay Street firm. He remained in practice with that firm while I moved on to a Bloor Street firm and then to start my practice in my home town, Ottawa. Rod eventually moved to London to practice but we kept up the connection. In the last several years, as very close friends, we got into the habit of telephoning each other every several days. In our last conversation I told him my wife and I would be flying to Florida on November 2. He said “O.K. it’s my turn to phone so I’ll call you November 1. He didn’t and I wondered why.
I learned the next day to my sorrow that he had died on the evening of November 1. This is leaving a gaping hole in my life.
bob & Anne-Marie McNaughton
We were deeply saddened to hear of Rod’s passing. Rod was always a great conversationalist and we truly enjoyed our talks and visits after church Our hearts and blessings go out to Maryann and Family
Bob & Anne-Marie McNaughton
Alex Mesbur
I send my sympathies to all of Rod’s large family, and hope your memories of him will be a blessing to you. He and I were law school classmates and roommates in 2nd year. He was a solid and very decent man in every part of his life, and will be missed.
DONNA COFFEY
So sorry to see the notice, here at Amica, of Rod’s passing.
It was always nice to meet Rod and Mary Ann and hear news of Bruce County folks known to them and us.
Our condolences, sincerely
Donna Coffey & Gordon Humphrey
Bob & Sue McMillan
Maryann,
We are sorry for your loss.
Over the years of your time spent together, we’re sure you’ve acquired many memories, May those remain in your heart to show how precious life is and may God bless Rod on his final journey.
Blair Taylor
Rod was a wonderful friend and mentor.
We first met at an OMB hearing in Tillsonburg in 1971 when I was still a planning student. After law school, Rod was instrumental in my arrival in Toronto for articling. In my years of private practice in municipal law, Rod was both a colleague and a mentor. He was so knowledgeable and experienced and just great to collaborate with.
I am so grateful that when I was in London in September to celebrate my Class of ’76 graduation from Western, that we were able to connect and have a great chat.
He always liked to remind me of how well “his” London Knights were doing as opposed to my Maple Leafs. Rod was a wonderful lawyer and even better person with a delightful sense of humour, whom we will miss greatly.
Rest in Peace Rod
Blair Taylor
Carolyn
I met Rod when I was an articling student at Harrison Elwood in London. He was very generous to a young learner, allowing me to attend an OMB hearing with him out of town on a case I had completed a research assignment on. During our trips to and from the hearing, he shared a lot of wisdom, including about how ‘worth their weight in gold’ a good staff member can be for a lawyer. I would never have forgotten him and his calls of “Colleen” that echoed down the office hallway based on those experiences alone, but was blessed to have many more years to know him when my significant other started working with him and did so until he retired. His nickname for my son when we spent social time together when he was young. His wit. His opinions and love of discussing the Knights (and his gift of passing along his seasons tickets that we still enjoy today). So many memories. Rod will always be remembered and his loss is felt deeply.
Tara Oudekerk
Rod was an incredible mentor, friend and law partner to me. I am so glad to hear his last day was full of celebration with friends at “the library” (as he called his favorite watering hole). He was full of wisdom and hilarious sayings and I am so thankful he took a chance on me when I started my law career a few decades ago. I feel so lucky that I had so many years to enjoy his company and professional support.
My condolences to his family and close friends. He will be missed, but the joy and love he brought to so many will live on in our great memories of the times we had the privilege of sharing with him.
I can’t think of a time I spent with Rod that wasn’t grand!!
Ian Ferguson
Condolences. Fond memories.
Ian Ferguson. Classmate Queens Law ’66.
Richard and Liz Gates
Rod was a deeply loyal and wonderful friend to me for many, many decades. I will always cherish the laughs we shared, our long conversations, his sense of humor and inquisitive nature.
We shared Rod’s last afternoon with mutual friends in his favourite London pub, It was a day filled with reminiscing about old friends and good times; a day filled with smiles, bear hugs, tears and laughter. Rod shared his gratitude for the love and support of the McGhie family and how indebted he was to them. We each said our goodbyes, hearing his customary words “don’t think it ain’t bin grand” but never guessing it would be his last farewell.
Liz and I have special memories of their visits with us, and our annual Stratford “theatre weekends” while staying with Rod and Marianne. The conversation and banter was always lively and fun. The plays were spectacular and at the end of the day, back at their townhouse, was the promise of Marianne’s homemade pie.
Rod brought so much light into the lives of those who knew him well. Rest in peace, my friend. You will be forever remembered and dearly missed.