Wayne Ian MacDonald
It is with great sadness that we mourn the passing of Wayne Ian MacDonald. He died on Thursday, Jan. 30th surrounded by his family and siblings whom he loved and cherished. Wayne was a caring father and loving husband for 41 years to Liz. Wayne died knowing he did as much as he could to support his family for the long-term. “Family First” was his mantra. He spent hours exploring his family history and shared his knowledge widely.
Wayne’s friends and colleagues speak highly of him and will remember Wayne for his selfless belief in others and his professionalism. The list of those who Wayne helped is long. Many can speak to his guidance, coaching, and tireless advocacy, helping them navigate through rough waters.
As part of his career Wayne leaves behind a legacy of developing the Information Access & Protection of Privacy (IAPP) program at the U of A. This served as a foundation on which he created the Access & Privacy profession, of which he was immensely proud.
His greatest passion was being a Titanic historian. Acting as Captain Smith, and often alongside Milvena Dean (youngest survivor off the Titanic), Wayne actively shared this love and used it to benefit others through charitable work.
Wayne gained a passion for antiques through a loving friend, John Nichol (aka Dad Nichol). Throughout his life Wayne could be found perusing the aisles of antique malls and stores, as well as used bookstores, searching with a keen eye for treasures.
Wayne is survived by his loving wife, Liz, son Ian, his buddy Oscar kitty and “bad dog” Mickey. He is also survived by many extended family members.
We would like to thank the Palliative Home Care Program and all the amazing caregivers, as well as EMS providers who helped sustain him and his family so he could finish his life journey in the home he truly cherished. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 1st, 2025 at Aspen Gardens Community League, 12015-39A Ave NW, Edmonton at one pm.
Donations in memory of Wayne may be made to, "Haying in the 30's Cancer support society"
Wayne was an extraordinary person. His passion for life, and particularly for the IAPP program, was contagious. He was a particularly strong influence on me in the early part of my legal career and unfortunately I lost connection with him in 2020 during changes at the UofA and the pandemic.
My sincere condolences to Wayne’s family and friends. Wayne will be greatly missed.
I had the privilege of working alongside Wayne for many years at the Faculty of Extension. His contributions were both numerous and invaluable, leaving a lasting impact on those around him. I will always cherish our conversations, especially those about his deep passion for Titanic history, which he shared with such enthusiasm. My heartfelt condolences to Wayne’s family and friends during this difficult time.