Allan MacAskill

Allan Joseph MacAskill passed away at the age of 97 on May 10, 2026.

 Joe was the beloved husband of Ri (Margaret Ri Smith of New Zealand), and the loving father of Brian (Krys Anton), Ian (Lori Chiarot), David (Sandra Perut), Laura (sadly predeceased in 1972), and Allan (Tanis Dokis). Joe was very proud of all his children.

 Joe was also the grandfather of Annick, Maggie, Alexandra, Matthew, Andrew, Kayla, and Ewan, and the great-grandfather of Stevie, Matthew, Allan, Noah, Luke, Audrey and Liam.

 Joe was born on April 16, 1929, in Haileybury, and was raised in Kirkland Lake. He was the son of Allan and Mary MacAskill, and the proud brother of Bob (predeceased in 1958), whose path Joe followed in the early part of their lives. The sign above their parents’ front door read “MacAskill Boarding House”, located a block away from the separate and secondary schools Bob and Joe attended, and then returned to as teachers.

 Later, Bob accepted a position as a School Inspector and Joe accepted a position as a staff member of the North Bay Teacher’s College. Joe taught English Literature, a subject he studied to earn Master of Arts and Master of Education degrees. The family moved to Sudbury for two years, where Joe served as a Consultant with the Ontario Ministry of Education.

 Joe completed his career as a Superintendent of Schools with the Nipissing District Separate School Board. He served as President of the Ontario Teacher’s College Association, the Ontario Catholic Supervisory Officers’ Association, and the Northern Conference of Inspectors and Teacher’s College Masters, and as a Board Member of the Association of Educational Officials of Ontario.

 Joe valued his friendships. He was best man at the weddings of six dear friends: brother Bob, a second Bob, Gerry, Con, Pat, and Doug.

 He was the President of the North Bay Rotary Club and a long-time parishioner of the Pro Cathedral of the Assumption. He spent many happy hours with his family golfing, skiing, sailing, and boating on Lake Nipissing.

 He took much pleasure in raising his family of five, especially at their McIntyre Street home and their cottage at Jocko Point on Lake Nipissing. “The happiest times,” his children agreed. In retirement, he and Ri travelled widely, making several trips to Ri’s family home in New Zealand, and enjoying 23 winters in Mexico.

 Joe had two particularly fond memories of his life. The first was seeing Ri for the first time across the hall of a school where Ri was teaching and where Joe was supply teaching, leading to 70 years of a wonderful marriage. The second was watching his four sons becoming loving fathers to their children.

 The family would like to express their gratitude to Lorraine Mcdonald and the entire staff at Nipissing Manor for the exceptional care and kindness.

 There will be a private funeral service at Hillside Funeral Services.