Douglas McDonald is all about connecting with others, especially his family.  

For example, a year ago the Canada Post worker signed up for karate alongside his kids, then ages 9 and 7.

“I had to be there anyway,” he explains. “And it helped them feel less nervous.”

McDonald says it’s also fun to practise with them between sessions.

“My daughter’s a really smart girl, and back at home she remembers the moves. She’ll tell me, ‘No, Dad, it’s like this,” he says.

McDonald is glad that his daughter is learning self-defence, and he hopes knowing karate will give his son confidence in the future.

“I want him to be able to walk away from a problem without feeling inferior,” he says. “That’s something that’s difficult for many men to do.”

When they’re not ferrying the kids to their swimming lessons, soccer and other extra-curricular activities, McDonald and his wife of 13 years prefer to spend time at home rather than going out on the town.

“And most weekends, we  either visit extended family in Barrie and London, or have someone visiting us,” he says.  “Family is very important. This was instilled in me by my parents.”

After his family moved to Canada from Scotland when he was five years old, McDonald’s parents sent him back every four years to spend time with his grandparents, aunts and uncles.

“We would stay six weeks at a time,” he says. “It was wonderful.”

Between visits, the family continued to keep in touch.  

“I still have letters from my grandparents and aunts and uncles who are no longer here. They’re a great keepsake for me to have,” he says.

It makes sense that someone  so focused on maintaining connections with others works for Canada Post.

McDonald was first hired by the corporation in London, Ontario in 1986 and has been at the Huntsville post office since June, 1995.

At first he was in the back of the building processing mail, but since May he has been serving customers at the front counter.

“I enjoy dealing with the public,” he says. “It’s been mentioned to me often that I should be in sales.”

Part of McDonald’s job involves giving the kindergarten tours.

“I run the cancelling machine so they can see the letters being  pulled in fast, and if they have a letter they can sort it to where it’s supposed to go. They also get to honk the horn on the forklift,” he says with a smile. “It took a few tours to fine-tune it and make it really kid-friendly, but now when I’m at the grocery store I’ll hear, ‘Mommy, that man’s from the post office.’ It’s great.”

Between 1995 and 2005 McDonald was also the president of the Huntsville postal workers’ CUPW local.

“That’s important to me: workers’ rights, that people are looked after,” he says, adding, “Currently I’m on the local health and safety committee.”

In the wider community, McDonald is probably best known as a member of the Cameron of Lochiel Pipes and Drums band.

“Playing the bagpipes had always been in the back of my mind,” he says. “I got my start 10 years ago with Malcolm McLean and the legion pipe band.”

Although he had no musical training at all, he began practising with a chanter and kept with it.

“It’s a wonderful instrument to play,” he says. “It can be very stirring, and I can play at family functions, like my younger sister’s wedding.”

The first time McDonald played for others was at a Baysville Remembrance Day ceremony. “I got goosebumps when people stood up and applauded,” he recalls.

The Huntsville Santa Claus parade  is one of his favourite events of the year.

“It’s our hometown parade, and it’s always well-attended,” he explains. “Plus, there’s something about having it at night with all the lights. I can’t wait for Friday night.”

Is there someone you’d like to see profiled in this space? Please call Paula at 789-5541 or e-mail  pboon@metrolandnorthmedia.com.