Robert McDonald
July 26, 1922 — August 9, 2011
WINCHENDON – Robert Vincent McDonald, beloved husband, father and grandfather, at the age of 89, passed from this life on August 9th, 2011, after a month long battle with cancer.
Mr. McDonald was born in Winchendon, MA on July 26, 1922, the son of the late John P. and Victoria (Lemner) McDonald. He held a lifelong pride of living in this town into which his ancestors settled in 1870, and in which the seventh generation of family lives today.
Mr. McDonald graduated from Murdock High School in 1940. In April of 1942 he enlisted in the United States Navy. He served his country for four years during World War Two, primarily in the Pacific Theatre aboard the USS Choctaw and the USS Hitchiti.
After the war, he married the lovely Florence Wick of Gardner, MA in 1947 and together they raised their six children.
Mr. McDonald began work at Simplex Time Recorder Co in Gardner, MA in 1946 as a local service representative. In his forty one year career with Simplex, his responsibilities grew to include many domestic and international management positions. His involvement and contribution to the company’s growth and success during those years was a great source of pride to him. He retired in 1987 as a Senior Vice President of Simplex Time Recorder Co.
Mr. McDonald served on the Board of Directors of the Winchendon Hospital and the Board of Trustees of the Winchendon Savings Bank. He worked extensively with Alcoholics Anonymous to help people struggling with addiction regain their lives.
Mr. McDonald enjoyed his homes in Winchendon, on Cape Cod, and in Florida. He was a lifelong avid golfer. He continued his love of gardening until shortly before his death. He enjoyed preserving his gardens bounty for family and friends. In his quiet times a good book was often in his hands.
He will be sadly missed by the family, that loves him and by the people, whose lives he touched.
Mr. McDonald is predeceased by his wife Florence. He is survived by his sister, Nancy White of Hawaii; his daughters Marcia McDonald of Bloomington, IL, Maureen Cote and her husband David of Winchendon, Melanie Maxwell and her husband Earle of Woburn, MA, Mary Dirrane, her husband Brian and their daughter Kersten of Rumney, NH, his son, Robert McDonald and his partner David Turner of Malden, MA, his daughter Mona Morrissey, her husband William and their daughters Katherine and Alexandra of Gardner, MA; his grandson Christopher Richards, his wife Krista and their children Megan, Amanda and Zachary of Winchendon, his step granddaughters Alexis Stevens, her husband Michael and their daughters, Sydney and Isabella of Billerica, MA, Victoria Maxwell of Arlington, MA, and Lauren Maxwell of Winchester, MA. He is also survived by many loved nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Friday, August 12 th from Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM in Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 52 Spruce Street, Winchendon.
Burial, with military honors, will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Winchendon.
Calling hours in the funeral home are Thursday, August 11 th from 5 to 8 P.M.