Charles Malcolm MacQuarrie, who passed away Thursday, was 86.
“Truro has lost one of its finest citizens,” Mayor Bill Mills told the Truro Daily News, in extending condolences to the MacQuarrie family on behalf of town council and its citizens.
“Malcolm has done a lot of good for a lot of people in this town that a lot of people don’t know about,” he said, while describing MacQuarrie as a “fine gentleman.
Following his graduation in 1951 from Dalhousie University, MacQuarrie spent 50 years operating the store founded by his father Charles Allan in 1920.
Besides being instrumental in the growth from a single operation to a multi-store group of drug stores across the province, in 1987 he became one of the founders of Pharmasave in Atlantic Canada.
MacQuarrie, who had been living gracefully with dementia for several years, was known for encouraging employees to reach their full potential and for mentoring the young.
He was also past president of Nova Scotia Pharmacy Association and a member of Nova Scotia Health Services Commission for seven years; a recipient of Truro and Colchester Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the year award in 1994; Rotary Paul Harris Fellowship in 1995; Bowl of Hygeia for service to the community through the profession of pharmacy in 1996 and Distinguished Service Award from Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia in 1997.
MacQuarrie had been living with dementia for several years.
McQuarrie was also an active participant in First United Church as an elder, board of stewards, and member of the choir. Other participation efforts included the Downtown Truro Partnership, the Truro Concert Band (for more than 50 years) as well as being a strong supporter of the Colchester East Hants Health Centre Foundation, the arts, and many other community organizations.
His funeral service is set for Wednesday, 2 p.m., in First United Church, 711 Prince Street, with Reverend Valerie Kingsbury officiating. Reception will follow in Memorial Hall with interment in Robie Street Cemetery to occur at a later date.
hsullivan@trurodailycom
Twitter: @tdnharry
