James "Spanky" W. McDonald Sr.

A Funeral Mass with Military Honors for James W. “Spanky” McDonald Sr., age 88 of Ogdensburg, will be held at 10:00am on Tuesday (Oct 16, 2018) at Notre Dame Church with Rev. F. James Shurtleff officiating. His place of rest is at Foxwood Memorial Park.

Calling hours will be held on Monday (Oct 15, 2018) from 1:00-3:00pm & 6:00-8:00pm at the Fox & Murray Funeral Home. Mr. McDonald passed away Monday morning (Oct 8, 2018) at Claxton Hepburn Medical Center surrounded by his loving family.

Surviving is his wife Mary “Pinky” McDonald of Ogdensburg; six sons James McDonald Jr. of Ogdensburg, Alfred “Alfy” (Teresa) McDonald of Ogdensburg, Fred McDonald of Ogdensburg, Richard (Romona) Breen of Ogdensburg, Ronald (Vicky) McDonald of Watertown, Donald McDonald of Crogan; four daughters Florence “Sissy” (David) DeDekker-Beldock of Ogdensburg, Nora McDonald of Potsdam, Michelle (Tom) Comarda of Hammond and Donna “DJ” (Andy) Thivierge of Ogdensburg; two sisters Golda Baker of Potsdam, Bonnie Blake of Syracuse; sister-in-law Loretta Cook of Ogdensburg; 30 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren and several nieces, nephews & cousins.

Three sisters Doris Hammond, Norma Fenton and Elsie Kelly predeceased him.

“Spanky” was born on February 16, 1930 in Gouverneur NY, a son of the late Wesley & Florence (Bailey) McDonald. He attended Heuvelton High School and entered the US Army in 1948 and served until 1952. He later married Mary L. Corrice on May 23, 1953 at the Ogdensburg Congregational Church.

During his career, he was employed as a construction worker with the local #322 union, working on various construction projects with McConville, LeBarge Co., and Morrison & Knudsen who built Alcoa, Ogdensburg Bridge & Port and Riverview Towers to name a few in the area. He then went to work for the Thousand Island Parks Commission as a supervisor until January 1995 when he retired.

He enjoyed playing cards, baseball, football and all the children that came into his arms. Memorial contributions can be made to the American Heart Association or Canton VFW. Condolences and fond memories can also be shared online at www.foxandmurrayfuneralhome.com.