Mickey MacDonald
Encyclopedia
Mickey MacDonald is an entrepreneur in Halifax, Nova Scotia
, Canada
who has been involved in telecommunications, food retailing and the fitness industry.
(now Bell Aliant) on October 1, 2004
, the Chicken Burger, which is considered to be a Bedford, Nova Scotia
landmark famous for its burgers that consist of boiled chicken on a hamburger bun.
. To show appreciation for this donation, the theatre changed its name to the Bella Rose Arts Centre
in honour of MacDonald’s mother Bella and his daughter Rose.
. While in Toronto he started boxing
competitively. MacDonald later completed a GED
. One of his brothers, Colin, is also a prominent Halifax area businessman while another, Rick, is a boxing trainer.
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
who has been involved in telecommunications, food retailing and the fitness industry.
Clearwater
When first time MacDonald got back to Halifax, he helped his brother Colin and Rick, and brother-in-law John Risley start up a fishery company Clearwater which big now.DownEast Communications
MacDonald purchased this single telecommunications store located on the Bedford Highway that specialized in wireless communications in 1991 and grew it to 51 locations across Atlantic Canada sold to AliantAliant
Bell Aliant Inc. is a communications company providing services in various areas throughout eastern Canada, as Bell Aliant throughout Atlantic Canada, and under the NorthernTel, and Télébec brands in rural areas of Ontario and Quebec....
(now Bell Aliant) on October 1, 2004
The Chicken Burger
On March 19, 2007 MacDonald purchased this 50's style diner located on the Bedford HighwayBedford Highway
The Bedford Highway is a highway in the Halifax Regional Municipality , Nova Scotia that is part of Trunk 2. It runs around the western side of the Bedford Basin...
, the Chicken Burger, which is considered to be a Bedford, Nova Scotia
Bedford, Nova Scotia
Bedford is a community in the Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, Canada. It was an independent town from 1980-1996. Bedford lies on the northwestern end of Bedford Basin, an extension of the Halifax Harbour...
landmark famous for its burgers that consist of boiled chicken on a hamburger bun.
Palooka’s Gym
MacDonald founded Palooka's Gym, a fitness centre that focuses on its competitive boxing program in addition to general fitness in an old movie house on Gottingen Street in Downtown Halifax in Spring of 2007 On Thursday September 8th, 2011 it was announced that Palookas Gym on Gottingen St would be permanently ceasing operations by the end of the month.Bella Rose Arts Centre
MacDonald contributed $300 000 CAD to Theatre Halifax, a community theatre in Halifax West High SchoolHalifax West High School
Halifax West High School is a Canadian public high school located in the Clayton Park neighbourhood in the Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia...
. To show appreciation for this donation, the theatre changed its name to the Bella Rose Arts Centre
Bella Rose Arts Centre
The Bella Rose Arts Centre is a community-based proscenium theatre performing arts centre located inside of Halifax West High School in the Clayton Park neighbourhood of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada...
in honour of MacDonald’s mother Bella and his daughter Rose.
Personal
MacDonald grew up one of seven children in Fairview, Halifax. He left school in grade nine and worked at odd jobs across Canada, spending some time homeless in TorontoToronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
. While in Toronto he started boxing
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
competitively. MacDonald later completed a GED
GED
General Educational Development tests are a group of five subject tests which, when passed, certify that the taker has American or Canadian high school-level academic skills...
. One of his brothers, Colin, is also a prominent Halifax area businessman while another, Rick, is a boxing trainer.