Charles A. MacDonald, Jr.

Charles A. MacDonald Jr, affectionately known as Charlie, Ola, Chal, Tuna, even Carlitos – but NEVER Chuck, was born at Mahopac Hospital on Lake Mahopac, NY on July 1, 1961. He spent his childhood days riding his bike and camping out in the garage with his neighborhood pack of friends at Nanny’s house in ‘The Falls’, or climbing trees and playing in the woods with the Cherry Hill gang where he grew up. He was a champion pitcher and first baseman for Putnam Printing little league team and a Boy Scouts Webelo but quickly moved on to more adventurous pursuits – waterskiing, downhill skiing, snowmobiling and was a champion motocross rider appearing leading the pack as 89X in a 1977 issue of Motocross Magazine. As a boy he worked for his Dad, Charles Arthur Sr (Art), at the family marina, MacDonald Marine on Lake Mahopac, first pumping gas and then as head mechanic in his teens. He would water ski after work and was known for putting up massive spray – often swamping the docks.

The Hamlet of Mahopac and all of our lives changed when he got his driver’s license in 1977. He was obsessive with his cars and motorcycles, disassembling every nut and bolt to keep them spotless. His 1970 Nova SS 396 was his pride and joy in high school and he led the local cops on more than one high-speed chase, which was a source of amusement for his Dad. He totaled at least 10 of his Dad’s personal and marina vehicles and contributed a ’pop-out’ dent to his sister’s car in the driveway – but never put a scratch on one of his own cars or sustained any serious injuries in the process.

In June of 1985 Charlie met the love of his life, Patricia Corbett (Tish) at the Mahopac Inn a few weeks before her birthday. He took her for boat rides on the lake, to Jones Beach and out for steak and lobster. They were immediately inseparable – engaged by November and married on February 22, 1986. He moved his bride to Jupiter, FL shortly after their Honeymoon in the Poconos. They had a son, Charles Kenneth, and settled into their forever family home in Palm Beach Gardens Country Estates in 1987.

Charlie was self-made. In 1993 he established Power Repairs Inc in Jupiter, named for his father’s first small engine shop in Mahopac. Charlie was sought out for his flawless marine repair work and for several years ran service for Jonathan’s Landing in addition to his own shop. He was a perfectionist and worked late into the night every night. Those who visited his shop also know it was his hangout. He was enamored by all things fast and loud. Motocross remained his passion and he reserved every Saturday night to watch the races at his shop with his son Charlie who shared all of his interests. He was a collector. He acquired road and dirt bikes, sports cars and trucks – Dually’s, Corvettes, a Roadrunner and his prized Dodge Viper – all of which he spent countless hours customizing and consumed space in his shop. He loved metal, attended all the best concerts and began collecting guitars with an obsession. They quickly overflowed his man cave at home and were stacked sky high in the shop. He had so many beloved toys that he began doing his work outside in the parking lot.

Everyone loved Charlie. He was a 6’4” blonde viking with smiling blue eyes, his Dad’s dimples and Peep’s Cheshire cat grin. He was always fun to be around. His good looks and intimidating stature did not reflect the tender heart inside. He loved Christmas to a childlike degree and reserved his shopping for Christmas Eve, showering his Honey, son, granddaughters, Mom and sister with carefully curated gifts. An artificial tree would never do – even in Florida. He was kind and friendly to everybody he met. He took the time to have meaningful conversations and formed lasting relationships with everyone he ran across in his daily routine including his postman, bank tellers and Publix deli counter man who admired his Skull emblazoned mask during Covid.

Charlie left us abruptly on November 20, 2023 after finishing his last big job for the year at the shop. He left everything in impeccable order for his wife he adored and son he was so proud of so they were perfectly cared for. With all of his passions and love for his ‘stuff’ nothing came close to the love he had for his family. He gave amazing bear hugs and never missed an opportunity to tell his family he loved them. As a final testament he left behind 39 voicemails on his shop machine spanning almost 20 years – all from his wife Tish, Mom Anita, Dad Art, brother Ken and sister Merri so he could start his day hearing their voices before listening to any new business messages which were quickly dispatched.

Charlie is survived by his wife Patricia, son Charles and his wife Sara, 3 grand children Carissa, Charley and Maverick, his mother Anita, sister Merri, her daughter and husband Shelbi and Kevin Heady and their two girls Olivia and Violet, his brother Ken, his wife Jacqui and their three children Kendall, Quinn and Caden, cousins Dawn, Kelli, Bruce, Jackie and Michelle and their families.

We love you Ola, Dad, Chal, Gpa, Brother, Uncle and Friend. You are forever in our hearts.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, December 3, 2023 from 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm at Aycock-Riverside Funeral and Cremation Center, 1112 Military Trail, Jupiter, FL 33458. A Funeral Service will be held at 3:00 pm in the funeral home.