Bruce MacDonald
Bruce John Stewart MacDonald, born December 2nd, 1902, was the first appointed city solicitor for the City of Windsor and was a prominent member of Windsor’s legal community. MacDonald passed away on June 2nd, 1986.
MacDonald grew up in Nova Scotia and Alberta. He studied at the University of Alberta, from which he obtained a bachelor’s degree in 1924 and a law degree in 1926. In 1927, he attended Harvard Law School and successfully completed a graduate course in law. Following the completion of his education, he moved to Windsor in order to practice law, joining the Norman A. McLarty and Gordon L. Fraser law office. Beginning in 1930, MacDonald served as Windsor’s first city solicitor. During this time, he was a driving force in the amalgamation of Windsor, Walkerville, East Windsor, and Sandwich. However, he resigned from this position in 1937 and returned to practicing law with the Norman A. McLarty and Gordon L. Fraser law office. During his career, MacDonald also held positions as crown attorney for Essex County and as a judge for small claims court.
Between 1939 and 1945, MacDonald served in WWII and received numerous accolades for his service, including the Order of the British Empire. In addition, MacDonald was very active in the Essex Scottish regiment, acting as militia officer, company commander, and second in command. He also was active with the Number One Canadian War Crimes Investigation Unit.
From 1951 to 1969, MacDonald lived in a home in Windsor that is now widely known as Iona College. This home belonged to a community of homes known as the Judge’s Row. A motion was recently presented to city council to protect this house with a heritage designation. However, the motion was unsuccessful.
Sources:
CBC News. (2018). Council denies heritage designation for Iona College. CBC News.
Cross, Brian. (2018). Wrecker’s ball looms after council refuses heritage protection for home. Windsor Star.
Image source: Windsor Community Archives, PC/6167, The The MacDonald Papers.
The former Iona College building to be demolished. (n.d.). AM800 CKLW.
Windsor Public Library–Windsor’s Community Archive. (2001). The Macdonald Papers.
Windsor Public Library–Windsor’s Community Archive. (2001). The Macdonald Papers ~ Private Life.
Windsor Public Library–Windsor’s Community Archive. (2001). The Macdonald Papers ~ Essex Scottish Regiment.
Windsor Public Library–Windsor’s Community Archive. (2001). The Macdonald Papers ~ War Crimes.
Windsor Public Library–Windsor’s Community Archive. (2001). The Macdonald Papers ~ Legal Career.