Dan Leo Mackinnon

Schenectady - Dan Leo MacKinnon, 98, of Schenectady, NY, passed peacefully on April 25, 2023 at Baptist Health, Nursing & Rehabilitation in Scotia.

He was predeceased by his wife, Greta (Quinn); sons, Peter & Paul in infancy; son-in-law, Shawn Kenny; parents, Murdock (Florence); stepmother Veronica; brothers Joe (Bunce) and Murdock Scotty (Joan), and sisters Theresa (Ross) Boutilier and Dolores King.

Leo is survived by his children, Debra (the late Shawn) Kenny of Venice, FL, Leo Bernard (Jessica) MacKinnon of Ballston Spa, NY, and Delores (Anthony) Izzo of North Fort Myers, FL; stepbrothers Walter (Jean) MacKinnon, Clifton Park, NY and Albert (Margie) MacKinnon, Sydney, Cape Breton (Nova Scotia, Canada); and many nieces and nephews.

He was a devoted grandfather to Nicole (Bryan) Jones, Kirstie (Michael Guido) Izzo, and Britney MacKinnon, and great grandchildren, Madison, Benjamin, Jackson, and Grant Jones. They all meant the world to him.

Affectionately known to many as "Laylo", he was born on Cain’s Mountain, Iona, Cape Breton.  After serving in the Canadian Armed Forces, Leo met and married the love of his life, Greta, in 1955.  They lived in Glace Bay, Cape Breton while he worked at the Point Edward Radar Base.  Once it closed, he had to go where there was work - which is how he and his family ended up in Schenectady, NY, working first as an electrician for Albany Medical Centre and then for 27 years as the Lead Turbine Inspector at General Electric Company.  Leo received one of the biggest bonuses (up until that time) for one of his ideas to make the generators more effective.  Not one to slow down, he then went to work part-time at Quest Business Systems for 8 years until he retired again.

Leo enjoyed travelling home every year with his family to his beloved Cape Breton Island to visit relatives and friends which was meticulously recorded in his daily journal.  He loved to read, especially Time magazine and anything history related, watch the Dodgers, Colts, and Canadiens, play solitaire, and enjoy a Sunday afternoon of Celtic music after he and Greta’s weekly grocery trips, with a stop for a “hoop-dee-doo” at their favorite haunt, Gaylords.

He was a devoted father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, stepbrother, brother-in-law, and uncle to many.  We will all miss him dearly.

Our heartfelt thanks go out to all the staff on Unit N2 at Baptist Health, Nursing & Rehabilitation.

Cremation has taken place under the direction of DeMarco-Stone Funeral Home. A calling hour will be held on Saturday, April 29, 2023, from 9:30-10:30 am at St. Anthony’s Church, 331 Seward Place, Schenectady, NY.  A Memorial Mass will begin at the church at 10:30 am.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Leo’s memory to the Royal Canadian Legion, the American Legion, or to a charity of your choice.

“So fill to me the parting glass, and drink a health whate'er befall.  And gently rise and softly call - good night and joy be to you all.” The Parting Glass.