UPEI mourns the passing of Matthew Macdonald, OMM, MBE, CD, LLD

The University of Prince Edward Island extends condolences to the family, friends, and former colleagues of Major-General Retired Matthew Gregory Macdonald, OMM, MBE, CD, UPEI honorary degree recipient and distinguished alumnus, who passed away on August 9, 2026.

Major-General Macdonald retired from the Canadian Forces in 2011 after over 35 years of service. During his time in the Forces, he commanded Canadians at all levels within the Army structure and was greatly revered for his leadership skills. Prior to enrolling in the Forces, he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from UPEI. Macdonald was awarded the Order of the Military Merit at the Officer grade, an exceptional performance distinction bestowed on few. Macdonald was named a Distinguished Alumni in 2009 and was granted an honorary degree from UPEI in 2014.

Over the course of his career, he spent time in Somalia, Bosnia, Afghanistan and many other places in support of Canadian Forces missions. During the last four years of his military career, he served the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces as the Chief of Defence Intelligence where he was the principal intelligence advisor to the Minister of National Defence and the Chief of the Defence Staff.

Read the obituary here.