Former Dual-Sport Athlete And Father Stanley MacDonald’s Death Sparks Outpouring Of Remembrance At St. FX And Beyond
His spirit and signature cheer will live on at St. FX.
May 13, 2026
This article was last updated by Manoj Gadtaula on May 13, 2026
Father Stanley MacDonald, a beloved priest, mentor, and sports enthusiast from Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, passed away on Sunday, May 11, 2026, at the age of 92.
His remarkable 66-year journey in the priesthood left an indelible mark on Eastern Nova Scotia and the St. Francis Xavier University community, where his iconic “Go X Go” chant became legendary among generations of students and athletes.
Born in Glace Bay, Stanley MacDonald developed a passion for sports at a young age.
This love for athletics followed him to St. Francis Xavier University, where he distinguished himself as a dual-sport athlete.
MacDonald competed on both the varsity rugby and hockey teams, eventually captaining the last varsity men’s rugby team on the Antigonish campus in 1953.
His dedication to sports foreshadowed the spirited supporter he would later become.
After graduating from St. FX in 1954 and completing his seminary studies, MacDonald embarked on his vocational journey as a priest.
His ministry took him to various locations throughout Nova Scotia, including parishes in Cape Breton and Antigonish, where he served with distinction and compassion.
In 2008, after retiring from his parish duties, Father MacDonald returned to his alma mater, becoming a full-time resident of Mockler Hall on the St. FX campus.
This homecoming began what many describe as his second calling—becoming the heart and soul of St. FX Athletics and a beloved campus figure.
For 17 years, he served unofficially as guidance counselor, book club guide, spiritual advisor, and meal companion to countless students.
His presence at Morrison Hall and throughout campus created lasting memories for all who encountered him.
Father MacDonald transformed from a respected priest to a campus icon through his unwavering support for St. FX athletics.
His distinctive “Go X Go” chant became a rallying cry that energized crowds and motivated student-athletes across all sports.
Leo MacPherson, director of athletics and recreation at St. FX, said,
“Father Stanley MacDonald was very much the heart and soul of St. FX Athletics. He was the ultimate fan – his superpower was kindness, and the cornerstone of his greatness was how deeply he cared. He supported every team, every student-athlete, and every moment that brought our community together.”
He greeted teams leaving for and returning from road trips, engaged with student-athletes at the meal hall and across campus, traveled to games and championships, made guest appearances in locker rooms and at practices, and delivered grace before all St. FX athletics special events.
The university recognized his contributions in 2013 with the “X-Ceptional Award” for going above and beyond to support St. FX athletics.
In a fitting tribute to his lifelong commitment to university sports, MacDonald was inducted into the St. Francis Xavier University Sports Hall of Fame as a builder in September 2026.
The Death Of Stanley MacDonald Unites Community In Grief
Father Stanley MacDonald died on Sunday, May 11, 2026, at St. Martha’s Regional Hospital in Antigonish.
News of his passing prompted an outpouring of grief and remembrance across Eastern Nova Scotia and beyond.
Bishop Wayne Kirkpatrick of the Diocese of Antigonish remembered MacDonald as “well-loved everywhere he served.“
“At recent celebrations that I attended at Inverness and Sydney River, where he served as pastor in the 1970s and 1980s, the people still speak very fondly of him,” Kirkpatrick said. “As priest in residence at St. FX, he was also much beloved. His gregarious smile and booming voice, along with his distinctive Go X Go, energized the crowd at varsity sporting events. Father Stan had an impact on so many people, and he will be deeply missed.”
St. FX President Andrew Hakin reflected on MacDonald’s impact on the university community:
“Fr. Stanley MacDonald was, for seventeen wonderful years, an unofficial guidance counsellor, book club guide, spiritual advisor, meal companion, and the ultimate St. FX Super Fan. He represented the very best of being Xaverian.”
The university’s athletic department has preserved audio and video recordings of Father MacDonald’s recognizable cheer, ensuring that his inspirational presence will always remain a part of St. FX sporting events.
Social media was filled with tributes as news of his death spread. The STFX Store posted:
“We lost a legend. Rev. Stanley MacDonald, Class of ’54 — our beloved Fr. Stan — has gone to his rest. A priest, mentor, superfan, and friend to all, he lit up StFX with his warmth, wisdom, and that iconic ‘Go X Go.’ His spirit will live on in every chant, every game, and every kind gesture across campus.”
Family members and community figures alike shared personal memories. Karen Saule Campbell, whose nephews Andrew and Jeffrey were MacDonald’s great-nephews, wrote that,
“anyone would be hard pressed to find a better man.”
In a 2026 interview, Father MacDonald captured the essence of the community he loved:
“At St. FX everyone cares. The professors, those who cleaned the rooms, the Sisters of St. Martha, just everyone I met at Antigonish. You could feel it. But I think that’s the best thing about community. To create change, you don’t have to do it all on your own.”
His legacy of kindness, community spirit, and faith will continue to inspire the St. FX community and all who knew him for generations to come.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Father Stanley MacDonald was baptized and officiated at the wedding of Ranj Pillai.
- He surprised the graduating class of 2026 by sneaking into their X-Ring ceremony and chanting “Go X Go” from the back of the hall just months before his passing.
- Father Jake Andrea, another priest, died just two days before Father Stanley (on Friday, May 9, 2026), as mentioned in the Mabou Brook-Village Glencoe-Parish announcement.
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