Jeffrey S. Macdonald

Jeffrey S. Macdonald, 63 years young, husband of Maryann (Taratula) Macdonald of West Hartford passed away unexpectedly on February 25, 2012, at Hospital of Central Connecticut after a long illness. Jeff was born on 11/21/1948 in Bristol, CT to the late William and Dorothy Macdonald. He graduated from Bristol Eastern High School and then continued his education through The Culinary Institute of America. Jeff was employed as a chef, as well as owned his own catering business throughout many years of his life. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army. Jeff enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, attending auctions and flea markets in his spare time. He also had a passion for antique clocks and guns. Jeff and his wife Maryann, enjoyed spending many vacations in Cape Cod with his family. Besides his loving wife, Maryann, he is survived and dearly missed by his son Michael Macdonald and wife Kathy of New Britain, CT, daughter Judie Macdonald-Siler of Gloversville, NY and beloved pet Rounder. Jeff also had 3 grandchildren: Jayme and Patrick Peterson and Mckenzie Siler, brothers Steven and his wife Alice Macdonald and William “Mac” Macdonald, sisters Meg Macdonald and partner Bruce, Liz Nadeau and husband Bob, and Amy and Pam Macdonald. Jeff also is survived by his niece Melissa Pelletier and husband Rodney and niece Shelley Taratula, brother-in-law, Ted Taratula and Sister-in-law Sharon Taratula as well as several nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews, two of them which were very dear to his heart were Josh and Morgan Pelletier. Jeff also enjoyed many years of joy with his Aunt Lois, who is 92 years old. Most of all the loving support that he will always remember from his Step-Mother-in-law, Irene Szmondrowski. Let’s not forget his 3 best friends of over 50 years, Jerry, Dave, and John. We would be remiss not to mention his newest friend ‘Boo’, who had a special place in his heart. Jeff and ‘Boo’ grew very close extremely fast and our family appreciates his kindness, generosity, and support of our family.

Family and friends are invited to Celebrate his life on Saturday, March 3, 2012 from 8-9:30am at New Britain Memorial Donald D. Sagarino Funeral Home, 444 Farmington Ave., New Britain, followed by his Funeral Liturgy in Holy Cross Church. Burial will be private.

“Anything is possible.” That is what Jeffrey S. Macdonald believed about life. He was a creative man, a perpetual inventor, who seemed to be able to find a solution for any difficulty confronting him. He had faith in his ability to find those solutions. Jeffrey thoroughly enjoyed understanding how things worked. He possessed an inquisitive, confident, and rational nature matched with a versatile and agile mind. Jeffrey was a person who believed that he could achieve whatever he set out to do.

Jeffrey was born on November 21, 1948 at Bristol Hospital in Bristol, Connecticut. His parents were William and Dorothy Macdonald. Jeffrey was raised in Bristol, Connecticut. He showed his ingenuity even as a child. When he was confronted with a problem, Jeffrey could develop an imaginative solution, and he derived satisfaction from knowing he had that ability.

This same talent for finding solutions had a positive bearing on Jeffrey's family relationships. Jeffrey was raised with five siblings. He had older brother, Steven, younger brother, William (Mac), older sister, Meg, a middle sister, Liz and the baby of the family, Amy. When a difficult situation or dilemma arose within the family, Jeffrey was always there to help figure out a solution for making things work.

As a young boy, Jeffrey could be found building and inventing new and different things. He was curious, resourceful and interested in anything original. Jeffrey took part in Football. In his spare time he liked fishing, being with friends, golfing and collecting sports cards. Jeffrey's memorable achievements included winning a Fishing Derby in 1961, where he caught a brown trout 15" and 1 1/2 lb.

Endowed with an appetite for knowing how his world worked, Jeffrey enjoyed school, especially when the learning experience involved dissecting and probing the unknown. Jeffrey was adept at scrutinizing different possibilities and designing innovative solutions. He graduated from Bristol Eastern High School in 1967. He enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers.

Because he was a quick thinker and adept at picking up on new things, Jeffrey performed well in college. He was always on a quest for knowledge and he relished the experience. Theories intrigued him, and he was good at solving complex problems. He always wanted to understand rather than judge. He earned his Associates Degree at the Culinary Institute of America. His favorite courses were all his culinary classes, but cooking best. Baking not so much.

Jeffrey was socially resourceful, an expressive person who was willing to try new things. These qualities drew a lively circle of friends around him. Always interested in his friends’ activities and interests, Jeffrey was uncritical of his acquaintances. He was sought after by people who recognized that he was generous with his time and energy, and these same friends found Jeffrey to be very stimulating company. Jeffrey's humor and curiosity were contagious for those around him. While growing up, some of his best friends were Dave, Jerry and John. Later in life, he became friends with Dave and his wife Pat, Jerry and his wife Cathy and John.

On September 26, 1998 Jeffrey exchanged wedding vows with Maryann Taratula at Jacqueline's Banquets of Plainville, Connecticut. Jeffrey was adept at devising original and creative ways to enhance and improve the marriage partnership. Jeffrey was seldom a critical person, but rather the one who was able to bring out the best in others. Jeffrey was an entertaining conversationalist who was quick to respond to his spouse’s needs. He was a vibrant personality and he enjoyed verbally sparring with Maryann. In fact, those who knew him often remarked that Jeffrey loved to argue for argument’s sake. He was very perceptive in recognizing others’ feelings, especially regarding Maryann's.

Jeffrey's remarkable talent for being inventive influenced his relationship with his children. He would create original, clever and fun games for his kids and had a knack for finding ways to make everyday events, even chores, enjoyable to them. Jeffrey was blessed with two children, Son, Michael Macdonald and daughter Judith Macdonald-Siler. They were also blessed with three grandchildren, Jayme, Patrick and McKenzie. Someone who was quick to laugh, Jeffrey found it easy to spend lots of time with his children, but he was never overbearing or guilty of pushing himself on them.

As a born inventor, Jeffrey was definitely in his element in his work place. He could easily create new and innovative systems, and incorporate those changes to bring a fresh approach to any work situation. Jeffrey was a focused worker with a strong drive for achievement. He could assess all of the options before him and, using his analytical skills, could comfortably find answers that no one else had even considered. His personal initiative inspired those around him. Jeffrey was always good at getting a project started and then, at the appropriate time, handing it on to a colleague. His primary occupation was as a Chef. He was employed for various companies for 40 years. Jeffrey always made an effort to be a team player, doing what needed was necessary in order to get the job done.

Jeffrey's “never say die” attitude and his ability to face any challenge no matter how difficult it might be were tremendous assets that Jeffrey carried with him into the military. Jeffrey was an Army Veteran. He was stationed in Fort Dix, NJ. Jeffrey saw action during Vietnam Era. Through his hard work and dedication, he earned not only the respect of his fellow service men and women, but also was presented with various awards, including National Defense Service Medal and Sharp Shooter M14. He achieved the rank of Private.

Jeffrey's passion for finding a better way to do things was often an end in itself for him. In fact, that interest by itself became something of a hobby for this perpetual problem solver. Since Jeffrey was always searching for new and unusual activities, he developed many interests and leisure pursuits. Some of the things he became an “expert” in might come as a surprise to those who knew him, but most friends and family understood that Jeffrey simply couldn’t be limited to just a few activities or ideas. His favorite pursuits were hunting, fishing, golfing, collecting antiques; especially clocks and guns, going to Pawn Shops and Flea Markets and being with family.

Jeffrey's calm demeanor and eternally positive outlook served him well in sports. In high school, Jeffrey played Football. Recreational sports included golfing, hunting and fishing. Jeffrey was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed following his favorite events whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list were Football, Golf and Wrestling.

Jeffrey's talents were well suited for being actively involved in professional and community organizations, something he did throughout his life. He enjoyed being involved and was willing to jump in and help out in most any situation. Jeffrey could bring a breath of fresh air to any organization, simply by introducing his novel ideas and problem solving strategies. Throughout his later years, Jeffrey was an active member of the NRA.

Faith and religion were important to Jeffrey. He was a member Holy Cross Church.

Having the opportunity to visit and explore a new place always intrigued Jeffrey. Traveling and going away on vacations offered yet another opportunity for Jeffrey to expand his ever-growing inventory of knowledge. Favorite vacations included; Las Vegas, Cape Cod and San Francisco.

Jeffrey was a lover of animals and cherished his pets. One of Jeffrey's favorites was Baron (Springer Spaniel) passed away in 2000, Rounder (miniature New Foundland). They were best friends for Baron 6 years when he passed, Rounder was 11 years old. His family was rounded out by his Chipper his parakeet.

Even while in retirement, Jeffrey never stopped exercising his inventive talents, and this new phase of his life provided new opportunities for stimulating his interests. In 2009, his new life involved relocating to West Hartford, Connecticut. In retirement, he found new pleasure in; Auctions, Pawn Shops, his grandchildrens activities and family. Even in retirement, Jeffrey continued to stay in touch with his old friends and while making plenty of new acquaintances. He was active in the community and felt fulfilled.

Jeffrey passed away on February 25, 2012 at Hospital of Central Connecticut at New Britain Campus. Pulmonary Fibrosis. He is survived by and dearly missed by his loving wife, Maryann, his son Michael Macdonald and wife Kathy of New Britain, CT, daughter Judie Macdonald-Siler of Gloversville, NY and beloved pet Rounder. Jeff also had 3 grandchildren: Jayme and Patrick Peterson and Mckenzie Siler, brothers Steven and his wife Alice Macdonald and William “Mac” Macdonald, sisters Meg Macdonald and partner Bruce, Liz Nadeau and husband Bob, and Amy and Pam Macdonald. Jeff also is survived by his niece Melissa Pelletier and husband Rodney and niece Shelley Taratula, brother-in-law, Ted Taratula and Sister-in-law Sharon Taratula as well as several nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews, two of them which were very dear to his heart were Josh and Morgan Pelletier. Jeff also enjoyed many years of joy with his Aunt Lois, who is 92 years old. Most of all the loving support that he will always remember from his Step-Mother-in-law, Irene Szmondrowski. Let’s not forget his 3 best friends of over 50 years, Jerry, Dave, and John. We would be remiss not to mention his newest friend ‘Boo’, who had a special place in his heart. Jeff and ‘Boo’ grew very close extremely fast and our family appreciates his kindness, generosity, and support of our family.

Services were held at Holy Cross Church. Jeffrey was laid to rest in his home, until a private burial.

During his lifetime, nothing appeared impossible to Jeffrey. He met the words “it can’t be done” with the enthusiastic challenge of a “wanna bet” attitude. Jeffrey was able to recognize the possibilities a new idea held, even when those around him could not. For Jeffrey, the traditional way of doing things fell short of his expectations, especially if there were original and untested methods for handling a challenge. For Jeffrey S. Macdonald, the fun of living his life could be found in the challenge.