Charlottetown, PEI – Peacefully, after a life well lived, at the Prince Edward Home in Charlottetown on May 25, 2023 of Paul Anthony McKinnon, in his 93rd year, of the Sandstone Chesapeake Charlottetown and formerly of Clyde River, PEI.

Paul Anthony McKinnon. Photo courtesy of Hennessey Cutliffe Charlottetown Funeral Home.

Beloved and devoted husband of 70 years of Pauline (Hogan) and dear father and mentor to Colin (Deirdre), New Haven; Colleen (Anthony) Atkinson, Halifax; and Kathy/Kate McKinnon Clow, Cornwall. Cherished Grampy to Josh (Leanne) McKinnon, Sara (Asher) McKinnon, Craig (Lori) Atkinson, Emily Atkinson, Michaela Atkinson, Cory (Lindsay) Clow and Kevin Clow. Great Grampy to Lyla McKinnon Pemberton.

Paul was born in Douglastown, NB on February 8, 1931 to the late Vincent and Catherine (Wood) McKinnon and was the seventh son of the seventh son. He was the last surviving member of his family having been predeceased by John (Cecelia), Chester (Buddy), Basil, Hugh, Clair and William and his beloved sister, Nora (Robert Daley). He was predeceased by son-in-law Dale Clow, in-laws Philip (Catherine), Clifford (Mary), Willard (Muriel), Kevin (Betty) and Gerard Hogan, Alyre Cormier, and Gerry LeBlanc. Paul is survived by Marina Cormier Le Blanc; Helen Hogan; and Patricia and Floyd Kelly and many nieces and nephews.

At the early age of 16, Paul left NB and traveled afield to Ontario to seek his fame and fortune. He enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces and proudly served his country in Churchill, Manitoba; overseas in Germany; and #5 Depot in Moncton. While stationed in Moncton, he met the love of his life, Pauline, who was formerly from Cumberland, PEI, and in 1952, they were married at St. Martin De Tours, in the sandstone church in Cumberland. Paul accepted a position as Fire Chief with the Ministry of Transport at the Charlottetown Airport and purchased his beloved Skyeglen Farm in Clyde River and there his love of horses and the harness racing industry flourished. He became a director of the United States Trotting Association and remained a Director Emeritus until his passing.

Some of his passions were ice racing on the North River Causeway, matinee racing at Pinette and catching the last ferry after racing at Brunswick Downs in Moncton. Some of his favorite horses were Golden Diana, Gordie H and of course Skyeglen Benson. He was instrumental in helping many horsemen receive their Driver and Trainer License’s under his supervision and tutelage including the top male and female drivers in Canada. He developed life long friendships with horsemen in the Maritimes and across Canada and the United States. He held near and dear his extended family fellow horsemen in Cape Breton. Paul was also an active member of the Royal Canadian Legion and served on the Executive of Kensington Branch 30 in New Haven.

After moving to the Chesapeake, he made many new friends and enjoyed Friday night Slick and Slack Auction with Roger, Sterling, the late Scotty MacPhail, Colin and anyone who cared to join in. Most evenings, you could find Paul in the foyer storytelling with Shane, Blair, Charlie, Sterling and Jack discussing the happenings of the day and recanting past history.

Resting at Hennessey Cutcliffe Charlottetown Funeral Home. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Francis of Assisi on Saturday, May 27, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. with interment at St. Martin de Tours Cemetery, Cumberland, PEI. Visitation Friday, May 26 from 4-6 p.m. with a legion prayer service starting at 3:45 p.m.

Memorial donations can be made to the St. Martins of Tours Fiona Steeple repair Fund or the Last Post Fund. Flowers greatly declined.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Fox Meadow who became Paul’s extended family in the last year and each and everone who treated him with love, respect and dignity in his last remaining days with us and in particular, Jason, Lisa, Tammy, Marlene, Kaitlyn, Jackie, Candice, Troy and sweet Emma. Raise a glass of the Captain, or let the moon shine bright as Paul parades down the back stretch one last time towards Victory Lane and know that he will be missed but his memory will live on.