Nova Scotia Taxi Driver Leaves $1.6M to Local Hospital

Most people who’ve got their assets in order choose to pass on their wealth to their children or family once they die. That’s a pretty standard move.

John MacLellan, a life-long resident of Antigonish, Nova Scotia, a town near the famous Cape Breton region with a population of 4,300-ish people, had different plans for his savings. The Nova Scotian, who drove a taxi in the community for 63 years, has left $1.6 million in savings to St. Martha’s Hospital Foundation, the local hospital. 

MacLelland was forced to retire from his impressively long driving career at 89 years old after suffering a stroke. He passed away in 2018, but the legacy gift was just announced by the hospital this month in a heartwarming video tribute to MacLelland. It’s the largest lump sum donation the hospital has ever received.

“The first thing that catches you is the [dollar amount], but the second thing was I’m not surprised of his generosity,” says Kathy Chisholm, an employee at the hospital.

Since his passing about four years ago, undisclosed increments of money were donated to the hospital every so often and the final installment was made in June 2021.

MacLelland was one of those people whose work ethic and financial savvy is downright enviable. He got dressed up for his job in a blue uniform and driving cap every single day. He drove millions of miles during his career and Time magazine even did a story on him.