It is with great sadness and sorrow that we announce the passing of a wonderful man, James Francis McDonald. He passed on 30 January, 2022 at St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford, MA due to complications from COVID-19.
He was the son of James Bernard McDonald and Florence (O’Hara) McDonald, born on 29 March, 1946 in Boston. He was always proud of his Boston Irish heritage throughout his life.
He joined the military at the age of 19 and served multiple tours of duty in the Air Force and Army National Guard. During his illustrious military career, he enlisted 681 men and women into the Army National Guard. Many of these men and women went on to serve and experience great military careers of their own. He retired in 1989, not due to any choice of his own, but due to medical conditions. If it were up to him, he would have served indefinitely.
After retirement, he enjoyed SPACE-A traveling where ever the plane took him. His most favorite location was Japan, where he had made many friends. They in turn, visited James in the U.S. multiple times and traveled to many different and memorable locations. Later in life he was able to relax and enjoy more time with friends and family.
He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Marsha McDonald; his brothers-in-law, Howard and wife DeeDee White of Waldorf, MD; Donald Weiner of Columbus, OH; Kenny and wife Regina Weiner of Daytona Beach, FL; David Weiner of Columbus, OH; James and wife Bobbi Weiner of Columbus, OH; and his sisters-in-law, Susan and husband Eddie Lehman of Canal Winchester, OH, and Sandra White of Columbus, OH.
He leaves behind his son James Patrick McDonald and Cherie Aho and her children of Ashby, MA; his daughter Amy Hall and her family of Naples, FL; his son Michael Patrick McDonald and his wife Cheyne and their children, Brennah, Abigail, and Isabelle of New Ipswich, NH; his daughter Marissa Hilton and her husband Matthew and their children, James, Caroline, and Jonathan of Marion, MA. His son Timothy James McDonald predeceased him on 22 October, 2017.
He also is survived by his sisters Patricia Agonis and Elizabeth Devens of Lunenburg, MA, and their children, Peter Flack, David Devens, Daniel Flack, Ryan Devens, and Patrick Agonis, and many friends in Japan and Korea as well as his son Tim’s friends, Allie, Sheena, Laura, and Jeff who always supported the family during these years.
The family would like to give thanks to the doctors and nurses at St. Luke’s Hospital and the Veterans Affairs Healthcare System for the care and kindness shown to James.
His memorial visitation will be held on Saturday February 12th from 1-4 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Route 6, Mattapoisett, with military honors occurring at 1 PM. A burial service will be held at a later date. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.
