Robert Alexander McDonald

He was born to the late Raymond and Geraldine (DiMatteo) on October 9,1942 in Boston, MA, the oldest of five children. Robert graduated from Medford High School in 1960, received a BFA in Art from the Massachusetts College of Art in 1964 and an MFA in 1966 from the University of Illinois, Champaign.

Robert met his beloved wife of 59 years, Geraldine “Gerry” (Alberti) McDonald, in 1963 and after spending a few years of married life in northern MA and southern NH, they relocated to East Sandwich, MA in 1973 where they lived and flourished for the rest of Robert’s life.

Robert was an Art professor and eventually the head of the Art Department at Cape Cod Community College for 28 years, establishing an art gallery and positively impacting the lives of so many students and fellow educators over the course of his career. He was an exceptionally talented artist and illustrator whose paintings, mixed media assemblages, greeting cards and colorful ceramic mugs have graced the walls of many homes, galleries and museums.

Robert was a lifelong lover of music and movies with an astounding recall and a complete day for him was being immersed in sound, color and light. He was an extraordinary gardener and the beautiful flowers and bountiful vegetables that he grew in his back garden brought joy to his family and to everyone who visited the home.

Robert is survived by two children: Lauren (McDonald) Pope and her husband Benjamin Pope of Gaithersburg MD, and Darren McDonald of Boston, MA. He is also survived by two grandchildren he adored (Alex and Kyle Pope), loving siblings (Joanne Daly and husband Patrick of Melrose, MA; Susan Legere and husband Jim of Newmarket, NH, and John McDonald and wife Susan of Wakefield, MA) and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his sister Barbara McCabe.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod.

A viewing will be held from 1 – 4 p.m. on Saturday March 28th at the Nickerson-Bourne Funeral Home 154 route 6A in Sandwich, MA.