Angus Francis "Frank" MacInnis — father, husband, uncle, brother, horseman, athlete, prankster, educator, coach, volunteer, lover of politics and music, and steadfast friend — passed away peacefully on March 6, 2026, surrounded by family, at the age of 83.
Born to Angus and Cassie (MacMaster) MacInnis, Frank was the eldest of five children. He grew up on Philpott Street in Port Hawkesbury, N.S., in a home always filled with music, laughter, and the spirited clatter of card games among family and friends.
In 1964, Frank enrolled at St. Francis Xavier University, earning a B.A., B.Ed., and an M.A. in Administration — and, perhaps most proudly, his X‐Ring. If you wore one, he noticed, and you could expect a conversation.
In 1972, fate intervened when a young nurse he had been courting — without much success — passed through Port Hawkesbury during a blood drive. Frank proposed. After careful consideration, Mary Ross agreed, and they were married on August 18, 1972, in Arisaig, N.S. From that day forward, Mary was his foundation. They settled in Creignish, N.S., where the community embraced them, and together they helped build a village any child would be fortunate to grow up in.
Frank began his teaching career as principal of Port Hastings Elementary School. After a year of teaching in Grand Prairie, Alta., he returned to Nova Scotia to join the staff at the Canso Regional Vocational School. His career culminated with his leadership as Principal of the Nova Scotia Community College, where he profoundly influenced the lives of countless students and colleagues.
An athlete throughout his life, Frank competed in his youth with the Antigonish Highland Society Track Team and later as a cross‐country skier with both the Nova Scotia Canada Games Team and the St. F.X. team. Over the years, he coached numerous baseball, softball, and basketball teams. He was a lifelong sports advocate, from his early days being involved with the Strait Pirates to many years involved in minor hockey and baseball. There was always a project needing funding, a barn to be built or uniforms to buy and he was always there to help. He travelled to rinks and fields throughout the Maritimes with his children and later grandchildren and rarely missed a game. In 2023, he was inducted into the Port Hawkesbury Sports Wall of Fame — a recognition that meant a great deal to him.
A true horseman at heart, Frank found immense joy in harness racing. He immersed himself in every aspect of the sport — horse owner, trainer, driver, breeder, and shared ownership in both Tartan Downs and Truro Raceway. He also served on the Nova Scotia Horse Racing Commission. He took great pride in the many notable horses he owned and never missed a chance to pull out old race tapes for anyone willing to watch.
Frank also cherished the camaraderie of card games and was a familiar — and formidable — presence at local 45s and cribbage gatherings. A multiple‐time Inverness County Champion, he played each hand with uncanny foresight, much to the exasperation of his opponents.
A lifelong member of the Progressive Conservative Party, Frank dedicated himself to local, provincial, and federal campaigns. It wasn’t unusual to find a PC candidate stopping by for advice or being chauffeured with Frank along the back roads of the county. He was a friend to MLAs, MPs, Premiers and Prime Ministers.
Frank served on many boards and committees over the years and fought with a quiet and relentless passion for economic development for Cape Breton. Frank took pride in his Cape Breton celtic heritage, especially the Gaelic traditions, music, song and storytelling. In some respects, the world began and ended at the Canso Causeway.
When The Vanishing Cape Breton Fiddler documentary aired in 1971, he was among those who helped reinvigorate the revival of Cape Breton’s musical traditions. His leadership played a key role in the creation of the Glendale Fiddle Festivals of the 1970s and the Cape Breton Fiddlers Association — cornerstones of the global recognition Cape Breton fiddlers enjoy today.
Frank never met a stranger. Whether you were a hitchhiker, a traveller, or simply someone with a good table at a pub, he would strike up a conversation. Before long — as is in the East Coast tradition — he could quickly ascertain who your “people” were. And, often this led to extra plates and chairs seated at the kitchen table. A natural historian, he had a keen sense and respect for war veterans, farmers, fisherman and miners and the old “salts” for their humor and memories of life.
Frank is survived by his wife Mary, and his six children: Neil (Jacalyn) and grandchildren Liam, Rory and Phoebe; Ross (Maude) and grandchildren Theo, Rebecca, Maelle, Sarah, and Cassie; Allan (Lenore) and grandchildren Owen and Leia; Margaret (Dan) and grandchildren Aidan, Declan, and Alasdair; Donnie (Shannon); Lisa (Bert) and grandchildren Lauren and Daniel; his sister, Kate MacMillan, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers, Blaise MacInnis, Billy (Betty) MacInnis and Brian MacInnis.
Frank lived life to the fullest and taught others to do the same. His influence will resonate for generations. He will be deeply missed. Mar sin leibh an-dràsta, Frank.
Visitation will be from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, March 12 in Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home, Port Hawkesbury. Funeral mass will be at 11 a.m. on Friday from Stella Maris Roman Catholic Church, Creignish with Father Barrett-Claire Johnston officiating. Burial at a later date in St. Joseph Parish Cemetery, Port Hawkesbury. Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at haverstocks.com.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Frank MacInnis.