Donald J. MacDonald

Donald J. MacDonald, Jr., age 75, passed away peacefully in the Thomas Upham House in Medfield on February 4, 2016, after a brief battle with glioblastoma. Born in Meriden, Connecticut on January 7, 1941, he was the son of the late Donald J. and Ann (Curran) MacDonald. He attended Chauncy Hall School in Boston, graduating with the Class of 1958. He continued his education at the University of Vermont, earning his Bachelor of Arts Degree in American History in 1962. After graduation, Donald was accepted into Boston College Law School, where in 1965, he earned his Juris Doctor Degree, and became a member of the Bar of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Donald's career began as a Co-owner of the MacDonald Color Corporation and after earning his Law Degree, he worked as an Attorney from 1965 through 1986. He took a position with Harvard University Extension in 1988, as a member of the Adjunct English Faculty, serving as a Teaching Assistant to an Instructor. While there, he earned his Master of Liberal Arts Degree from Harvard in 1989 and was honored with the Crite Prize for Academic Excellence. He went on to serve as a Writing Tutor for other students in the Harvard Graduate School of Education. During his time working at Harvard, Donald also taught at Dean College in Franklin, as a member of the Adjunct Humanities Faculty and later as a writing instructor for Dean's Bridge Program. His career at Dean continued as he became an Assistant Professor of Humanities before becoming an Assistant Professor of Law and Humanities. In 1995, Donald left Dean College, taking a position with Newbury College as the Chair of the Legal Studies Department. After 3 short years, Donald became the Dean of Admission and for the Academic Year of 1999 - 2000, he served as the Dean of Arts, Sciences, and Technology. He retired from Newbury College in 2000 as the Dean of Faculty.

After leaving Newbury College and retiring from teaching, Donald became more involved with the United States Military Reserves, which he had been involved with since 1984. This allowed him to work abroad in Bahrain, Diego Garcia and Germany.

Donald retired from the Naval Reserves in 2002 and worked for The Trustees of Reservations at The Old Manse in Concord, Massachusetts from 2003-2004 leading historic house tours. Beginning in 2004, Donald worked as a Ranger for the National Parks Service at The John Quincy Adams House in Quincy, Massachusetts. He retired from the Parks Service in 2013.

He is a current member of the Bar of the United States Supreme Court as well as a member of Mensa International. Donald was also active on a local level in his community, serving on the Medfield Historical Commission during 1973 and serving as a member of the Medfield Planning Board from 1975 through 1977.

Donald had a lifelong interest in travel. After his high school graduation and during college breaks, he backpacked across the United States and Europe. In the 1960's, he obtained his pilot's license and owned several small planes including a Tri-Pacer and a Yankee. He enjoyed gardening and small boating. Donald went for daily walks where he contemplated life. After his retirement from the National Parks Service, he focused his time on renovating his childhood home in Walpole, MA. But above all else, Donald was a voracious reader and thrived on collecting knowledge.

Beloved husband of Elizabeth (Perkins) "Lisa" MacDonald.
Loving father of Elizabeth "Liz" Bolton and her husband Raymond of Rhinebeck, NY, Sarah "Sally" Hinkley and her husband Paul of Millis and Cait Lanza and her husband Chris of Wrentham.
Cherished grandfather of Connor, Garrett, Julia, Daniel, Carah, and Calvin.
Brother of the late Ann Marie McInerney.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Donald's Life Celebration on Wednesday, February 10, 2016 from 4-8 PM and Thursday, February 11, 2016 from 9-9:30 AM in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Blessed Sacrament Church, 10 Diamond Street, Walpole on Thursday, February 11, 2016 at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow in Saint Francis Cemetery in Walpole. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to:"BIDMC- Ajith J. Thomas Research Fund" with Donald MacDonald in the check memo line. Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Attn: Development, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215.