Stuart Rothwell MacDonald

Stuart loved life, sports, especially hockey and baseball, work, and most of all his big family. Born in Hartsdale, NY to Frances (Sharp) and John A. MacDonald and younger brother to Edwin, the family moved to Massachusetts when Stuart was 4. He grew up in Lakeville, MA, attending Middleboro High School, where he was a member of the football team until he left school to join the Marines.

Always a Marine, Stuart served in World War II with the 11th Marines, First Marine Division, in the Solomon Islands, including Guadalcanal. He later came back to the states and was an MP at the Parris Island base. To the end, Stuart wore his colors proudly and could be seen daily in his red hat and leather Marine jacket. Among his activities as a Marine Vet, he served as Commandant of the Marine League of Greenville, SC for over 10 years. Just days prior to his passing, he was serving bananas and snacks at the VA in Austin. Stuart also has published numerous papers on World War II, primarily on the war in the South Pacific. He recently granted an interview to the National Museum of the Pacific War, and he often gave speeches to school children and others at various events. A two hour-long video is available of Stuart talking about World War II, published by Rishi Sharma, a renowned World War II historian. The video can be seen on YouTube.

After the war, Stuart came back to Providence and attended Bryant College, graduating in 1951. He began a career in accounting and finance, eventually becoming controller and then President of Marshall & Williams, a Providence-based textile manufacturing company with offices and facilities also in Greenville, SC. Stuart moved the corporate offices to Greenville in the 70s and continued to run the company from there for over 30 years.

Stuart loved golf, having picked up the sport later in life and belonged to Rhode Island Country Club, Greenville Country Club and Holly Tree Country Club, all for over 50 years. He really loved the time he spent at the “beach house” in North Litchfield, SC, and the more family that made the trip, the better for Stuart.

Stuart was predeceased by his wife Josephine of Lynn MA, his wife Muriel of East Providence, and his brother Edwin of Baltimore. He is survived by his sons Stuart (Renee) and Douglas (Linda), his daughters Deborah, Alison (Roy) and Laurie, his 11 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren. The family wishes to thank Dad’s special friend Karen for all her kindness and help with his care and all his friends at the VA for their love and support.

Stuart made the world a better and kinder place. All who knew him cherished his talks, chats, orations, phone calls, and the milestones reached. He will be deeply missed.

Relatives and friends are invited to a Memorial Service on Wednesday October 22, 2025, at 10:30 AM at the Austin VA Clinic 7901 Metropolis Dr. Austin, TX 78744. Burial will be at the Riverside Cemetery, Pawtucket, RI at a date to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his name can be made to the Central Texas Veteran Health Care System. Checks or money orders should be written to Central Texas Veteran Health Care System or CTVHCS. In the memo section please add CTVHCS/FCP 8205. Mailed to Austin Outpatient Clinic, ATTN: CDCE, 7901 Metropolis Drive, Austin, TX 78744. For e-Donations for Austin General Purpose use the following link/directions: https://www.cdceportal.va.gov/donate_online/ , Select Texas, Facility=Temple-Central Texas, Click Continue to Form, Under Facility select Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Populate the form with your information, Under Program for Donation select Austin General Purpose.