Obituary for John E. McDonald
Jack was a proud veteran and a Naval Academy graduate, but what defined him most was his unwavering affection for his childhood home in York Beach, Maine, and his profound love for his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
John “Jack” Edward McDonald was born in Dover, NH in 1939 to Vincent and Margaret McDonald, who raised their son in Dover, NH, and summered in York Beach, Maine. Jack attended Dover High School before attending the United States Naval Academy, which led to a US Naval career including two tours in Vietnam. He later had a successful career as an electrical engineer, working for large utility companies across the U.S. His career took him and his family to many places before settling back in North Woodstock, New Hampshire and York Beach, Maine.
Jack met the love of his life, Anne Pope Amann McDonald in 1962 when they were paired up to dance at an event in Jacksonville, Florida. Although Jack was only in town on a military training assignment, the two stayed in contact and soon decided to start their lives together and were married in 1963 in the U.S. Naval Academy chapel.
Jack is survived by many loving individuals, including his wife, Anne; children Sean and wife Jennifer McDonald, Kathleen and husband Charles Durost, Janel Lawton, and Chris Donnell; daughter-in-law Rachel Kelly; grandchildren Tara Richard, Jessica Bell, Charlie Durost, Casey Ayers, Austin Jeu, Elizabeth Lawton, Connor McDonald, Gracie Donnell, James Kelly, Elvis Lawton, Colin McDonald, Jacob Donnell, and Caleb Donnell; and great-grandchildren Jackson and Annabelle Ayers.
As a lifelong Catholic, Jack was active in his faith, always finding places to worship in his journeys. In retirement, he devoted time to serving CASA-NH and Pease Greeters, welcoming troops passing through Portsmouth International Airport.
Jack will always be cherished for his stoic yet jovial nature, his love for a good story, and his affinity for books. He had a deep passion for skiing the slopes of Loon Mountain, adding another layer to his colorful and adventurous life. He was known for his slightly awkward yet heartwarming hugs. Jack's welcoming spirit was evident in how he was the first to greet you and the last to wave goodbye. On every warm summer day at York Beach, we will dearly miss his wave from the cottage stoop. Jack’s memory will live on in the hearts of all those who loved him.
A mass for Jack will be held at St. Mary's Church, 25 Chestnut St, Dover, NH 03820 on Wednesday, November 22nd at 11 am. Immediately following will be the burial at St Mary's Cemetery, 43 Dover Point Rd, Dover and a reception at Newicks Lobster House, 431 Dover Pt. RD, Dover, from 1 pm - 3 pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations to The Disabled American Veterans (www.ihelpveterans.org) would be greatly appreciated.
John “Jack” Edward McDonald was born in Dover, NH in 1939 to Vincent and Margaret McDonald, who raised their son in Dover, NH, and summered in York Beach, Maine. Jack attended Dover High School before attending the United States Naval Academy, which led to a US Naval career including two tours in Vietnam. He later had a successful career as an electrical engineer, working for large utility companies across the U.S. His career took him and his family to many places before settling back in North Woodstock, New Hampshire and York Beach, Maine.
Jack met the love of his life, Anne Pope Amann McDonald in 1962 when they were paired up to dance at an event in Jacksonville, Florida. Although Jack was only in town on a military training assignment, the two stayed in contact and soon decided to start their lives together and were married in 1963 in the U.S. Naval Academy chapel.
Jack is survived by many loving individuals, including his wife, Anne; children Sean and wife Jennifer McDonald, Kathleen and husband Charles Durost, Janel Lawton, and Chris Donnell; daughter-in-law Rachel Kelly; grandchildren Tara Richard, Jessica Bell, Charlie Durost, Casey Ayers, Austin Jeu, Elizabeth Lawton, Connor McDonald, Gracie Donnell, James Kelly, Elvis Lawton, Colin McDonald, Jacob Donnell, and Caleb Donnell; and great-grandchildren Jackson and Annabelle Ayers.
As a lifelong Catholic, Jack was active in his faith, always finding places to worship in his journeys. In retirement, he devoted time to serving CASA-NH and Pease Greeters, welcoming troops passing through Portsmouth International Airport.
Jack will always be cherished for his stoic yet jovial nature, his love for a good story, and his affinity for books. He had a deep passion for skiing the slopes of Loon Mountain, adding another layer to his colorful and adventurous life. He was known for his slightly awkward yet heartwarming hugs. Jack's welcoming spirit was evident in how he was the first to greet you and the last to wave goodbye. On every warm summer day at York Beach, we will dearly miss his wave from the cottage stoop. Jack’s memory will live on in the hearts of all those who loved him.
A mass for Jack will be held at St. Mary's Church, 25 Chestnut St, Dover, NH 03820 on Wednesday, November 22nd at 11 am. Immediately following will be the burial at St Mary's Cemetery, 43 Dover Point Rd, Dover and a reception at Newicks Lobster House, 431 Dover Pt. RD, Dover, from 1 pm - 3 pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations to The Disabled American Veterans (www.ihelpveterans.org) would be greatly appreciated.