David William McDonald

David McDonald, long-time resident of Croton-on-Hudson, New York, passed away on Sunday, September 3, 2023, following a recent stroke, at the age of 80. He was a kind-hearted, soft spoken man, and remains much beloved by his family, to all of whom he is known, affectionately, as just “Cousin David.”

He was born on October 14, 1942 to Elizabeth (“Betty”) and John McDonald, and raised in the family’s apartment in Larchmont, New York, not far from Long Island Sound and the water he and his father loved so much.

His father was a Navigation Officer in the Merchant Marine, and as David was proud to say, his father went around the world seven times while a merchant mariner. During WWII, his father lost one of his legs to Nazi gunfighters -- after they sunk his ship for the third time -- and developed diabetes thereafter, leaving his mother to be the family “breadwinner” and to also care for both David and his father throughout David’s formative years.

To help manage the family’s needs, when not in school David spent most of his days at the home of his Aunt Cecelia Merritt (his mother’s sister) in New Rochelle, New York, where he played with his Cousin Joseph (“Joe”) Merritt, under the supervision and care of his older Cousin, Ce-Ce (nee Merritt) Burrell, while Aunt Cecelia, a widower, went out to work. The bonds forged between David and his Cousins during these years meant the world to David. He enjoyed their company, looked up to them, and as he frequently brought up before his passing, his Cousin Ce-Ce helped raise him.

After graduating from Larchmont High School, David was drafted into the Navy and spent his multi-year tour stationed at a naval base in Japan. After arriving home, he joined the Steamfitter’s Union, and worked installing fire suppression sprinkler systems for the rest of his work life.

He is predeceased by his father John, who passed away decades ago, and his mother Betty, with whom he lived and for whom he cared devotedly for most of his life, until she passed away in 2013 at the age of 101.

Family meant everything to David, and in the months before he passed he had the opportunity to spend time with his Cousins, including many visits from his Cousin Michael Burrell (Ce-Ce’s youngest son), as well as visits from many of his other surviving Cousins including Stephen Burrell (Ce-Ce’s middle son), Julie Merritt Pacaro (one of Joe’s daughters), and Cousin Ce-Ce herself, now in her 90’s, for which he and the rest of the family are most grateful.

David is also survived by his Cousin Pamela (nee Merritt) Nilsson (Joe’s other daughter) and her children, Erik and Solvej Nilsson; by his Cousin Michael’s children, Ben and Casey Burrell; by his Cousin Julie’s children, Anthony, Michael, and Thomas Pacaro; by Lauren Hertz and Taryn Tenney (the children of his Cousin Peter Burrell, Ce-Ce’s oldest son who predeceased David); and by Jesse and Anita Black (the children of his Cousin Cathy (nee Burrell) Black, Ce-Ce’s only daughter who also predeceased David).

In accordance with his wishes, Cousin David will receive a military send off and be buried at sea.