Obituary of Donald F. McRae

Donald F. McRae, age 96, died peacefully at Salem Hospital on Tuesday after a short illness. He was the husband of the late Nancy L. (Pepper) McRae and the son of the late Carl D. McRae and Christina A. (Slavin) McRae. He was born in Beverly, Ma on February 12, 1912 and was raised there before moving to Peabody 60 years ago. He was a graduate of Beverly High School where he played the saxophone in the Beverly High Band Mr. McRae served in the Navy in World War II and was stationed in Saipan during his service. He was a member of the VFW Post 1011 of Peabody. Donald worked as an inspector at G.E. Riverworks for 33 years, retiring in 1974. Following his retirement, he was a member of the Peabody Council on Aging and enjoyed going there and being with his friends. He loved to travel and was an avid Red Sox fan. He especially enjoyed his grandsons and affectionately called them “My Boys.” He is survived by two daughters, Donna L. McRae of Beverly and Cynthia L. McRae of Peabody, two grandsons, Scott Clark of Peabody and Jason Clark of California, a brother, Harry McRae of Ormond Beach, Florida, and a sister Alice Doyle of Beverly. He was predeceased by his brother Leonard McRae, and three sisters, Marie Gillis, Ethel Tibetts and Marion Kelly. A visitation will be held on Thursday from 4:00 until 8:00 PM at the Conway Cahill- Brodeur Funeral Home at the 20 Church St. (downtown)Peabody location. His funeral will be held on Friday at 10:00 AM from the Funeral Home followed by a funeral Mass in St. Johns Church, Peabody at 11: AM. Burial will be in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Peabody. Expressions of sympathy may be made to ST Jude Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 in his memory.