Donald Francis McGuigan

Donald Francis McGuigan, beloved husband, father, and friend, passed away peacefully on the morning of January 13, 2025, at the age of 89. Born on May 28, 1935, in Philadelphia, Donald was a man deeply rooted in faith, family, and community. His legacy of love, service, and compassion will be cherished by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Donald was married to Joanne Cunningham McGuigan for 54 wonderful years. Together, they raised six children: Mary Jo (deceased), Karen (Jurasits), Donald, Kathleen (Maselli), Mark, and Lianne (Wright), creating a home filled with love, laughter, and enduring memories. He is also survived by his children’s spouses, 18 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren. After Joanne’s passing, Donald found companionship again and married Barbara McAleer, who also predeceased him.

After serving in the Army, Donald settled in St. Davids, Pennsylvania, where he dedicated his career to serving the community as a family dentist. His Catholic faith was the cornerstone of his life, inspiring a deep commitment to social justice and mercy. Together with Joanne, Donald worked tirelessly to provide food and clothing for those in need, developed pre-marital training programs for engaged couples, and served as a founding officer and president of Pennsylvanians for Human Life. He was an active member of several faith communities, including St. Katherine of Siena, St. Norbert, and most recently the Daylesford Abbey.

Donald had a remarkable gift for connecting with people. The first to arrive and the last to leave any gathering, he was happiest sharing stories of the past or engaging in discussions about the present. His warmth and charisma helped him form overlapping circles of lifelong friends. As a proud Philadelphian, Donald was a devoted Eagles fan—always cheering, through thick and thin. Go Birds!

He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and the countless lives he touched. May he rest in eternal peace.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 25, at the Daylesford Abbey, 220 South Valley Road, Paoli, PA 19301 (http://www.daylesford.org). Family visitation will begin at 9:45 a.m., prior to the Mass.