MARBLEHEAD – Joseph Richard McDonald, 87, a longtime resident of Marblehead, passed away on March 16th. Joe was the beloved husband of the late Dorothy Mildred (Philbrook) McDonald, with whom he shared over 31 years of marriage.
Born in Boston City Hospital, the son of the late Elsie Anne McDonald, Joe attended schools in Chelsea, graduating from Chelsea High School in 1950. He joined the Army in 1952 and was a veteran of the Korean Conflict. He was awarded the Korean Service Medal with two Bronze Stars, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Medal and the Meritorious Unit Commendation. After his discharge, he worked as a laboratory technician at Samuel Cabot Paint Co. in Chelsea, where he met his future wife. He later worked for Sylvania Lighting in Salem, then worked for twenty years for the Town of Marblehead as a custodian in the School Department, retiring in 1994. He was an avid sports fan and old movie buff and enjoyed trips to casinos to play slots poker. He was known as a kind, gentle man with a wonderful sense of humor. He was also very generous and supported numerous charities.
Joe was the beloved father of Mary Jo Lees of Lynn and her husband, Robert Arthur Lees, Jr. He was the loving grandfather of Cassandra Lees of Lynn and Danielle Tonnessen and her husband, Paul, who live in Melrose with his great-grandchildren, Nolan Anthony and Hazel Mary Tonnessen. He was stepfather to the late Nancy Jewel (Nichols) Cappotto, Bettie Lillian Nichols, Dixie Lee (Nichols) Dodd and Walter Bruce Nichols and step-grandfather to Terry Ann (Ariail) Ward of Westminster, SC, and the late Nancy Elaine (Ariail) Kozlowski as well as the late Tina Marie and Bruce Walter Dodd; and the dear foster brother of the late Thomas Whelan.
Due to the family's concern for the public's health and safety during this unprecedented Coronavirus crisis, Joe's Funeral Services will be private. PREVIOUSLY SCHEDULED VISITING HOURS HAVE BEEN POSTPONED INDEFINITELY from Friday, March 20th at Eustis & Cornell of Marblehead. A public Celebration of Life will be held at a later date when gathering restrictions are lifted.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Friends of Marblehead’s Abandoned Animals, 44 Village Street, 01945, or via marbleheadanimals.ejoinme.org.
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