Robert Alan MacDonald

Robert Alan MacDonald, 89, died November 14, 2021. The oldest of four children, he was born in Hingham on December 19, 1931 at the home of his grandparents and uncles, who owned and operated the Winquist Dairy farm on High Street. Robert graduated from Hingham High School in 1951 and served on active duty in the US Navy during the Korean Conflict on USS LST 525. He completed post-secondary training at Wentworth and became a licensed general contractor. His employers included the Flatley Company, General Dynamics, and Bartlett Management; he also worked as a self-employed residential carpenter for many years. His parents were the late Robert and Esther (Winquist) MacDonald. His father managed the Drafting Department at the Quincy shipyard for many years. Robert was predeceased by his wife Evelyn (Taylor) MacDonald, sisters Nancy Philibert (Bridgewater) and Phyllis Henderson (Scituate), brother Kenny (Abington), and niece Jean (Henderson) Hutchinson (Hingham).

Robert and his wife Evelyn, who grew up on Ocean Avenue in East Weymouth, married in 1955. They raised daughters Suzanne, Debbie, and Leslie in Hanover before settling in Whitman around 1999. “Papa'' is survived by his sister-in-law Anne Keene (Taylor) of Hanson, his three daughters, six grandchildren (Bobby and Billy Derome; Randy and Keith Koslowsky, Teresa (Koslowsky) Racicot; and Grace Kerin), four great grandchildren (Benjamin and Emily Koslowsky; Edward Koslowsky; Emma Racicot); also, nieces and nephews Lisa and Steven Philibert; and Joseph Henderson, James Henderson, Phillis (Henderson) Keif and Suzanne (Henderson) Soares.

Along with his wife “Nana,” Papa took pride in being a good provider, working until the age of 82. He enjoyed classic cars and boating in the ocean. Papa was a quiet man but was always the one to light up the room with his quick wit and one-liners. Using the ‘bunny ears’ gesture behind the head of the unsuspecting posing for photos beside him led to out-loud laughter and great pictures. Papa will be greatly missed. He will be remembered as a good man with a strong work ethic who loved his family and took delight in making people happy.

A celebration of Papa’s life will occur in 2022.