Obituary of Francis S. H. Mac Donald

Francis S. H. "Mac" Mac Donald, 85, of Lynnfield, MA, died Wednesday at the Kindred Hospital in Peabody after a short illness. He was the devoted husband of Bernice (Neilson) Mac Donald with whom he celebrated 58 years of marriage. He was born in Everett, MA on December 26, 1925, the son of the late Daniel and Rebecca (Foley) Mac Donald and had been a resident of Lynnfield for the past 51 years. Francis served his country first with the MASS State Guard, then with the US Marine Corps during WWII before his honorable discharge in 1947. Francis also served with the US Army when the Korean War broke out and received the Bronze Star among other military awards . Francis served his time in Korea and was discharged as a Sergeant in 1952. Francis then began his 35 year career with the New England Telephone & Telegraph Company serving as a linemen, cable splicer, trouble shooter, and as a test board technician. He worked throughout eastern Massachusetts until his retirement in 1988. He was active in the Lynnfield community as a member of the Knights of Columbus, No. 3745 and served as a past Grand Knight. He also was a member of the fourth degree JFKennedy Assembly. He had been a member of the VFW Post 507 of Lynn, where he served as a Senior Vice Commander and a Commander for two terms in 1988-89 and in 1990-91. He was also active in the "Cooties" program with the VFW. Francis was a member of St. Maria Goretti Church in Lynnfield and was helpful in the organization of the new parish in 1960. He enjoyed doing gardening around his house and was skilled in carpentry helping in fixing and making many crafts. He also enjoyed antique collecting. Surviving him besides his wife Bernice are two sons and a daughter-in-law David R. and Ilene G. Mac Donald of Beverly, and Stephen F. Mac Donald of Hathorne,MA, two daughters, Jeanette M. Mac Donald of Sarasota, FL and Sheila B. Mac Donald of Swampscott, two brother and sister-in-laws, John and Donna Orrell of Milton, NH and Charles and Peggy Orrell of Sacramento, CA, three sisters, Marjorie Sundbeck of Baytown,Tx, Kathleen Carda and her husband Wayne and Dorothy Mc Kenna all of Albany Oregon, two grandchildren, Bethany R. and Kevin J. Mac Donald both of Beverly and several nieces and nephews. He was the father of the late Brian Keith Mac Donald and the brother of the late John Mac Donald, and Rayburn, Winston Joe and Harold Mc Donald, Pauline Marston, Myra Nelson and Arleen Marcotte. A visitation will be held on Sunday from 3:00 until 7:00 PM at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home at the 82 Lynn St., Peabody facility. His funeral will be held on Monday at 9:00 AM from the Funeral Home followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Marie Goretti Church, 112 Chestnut St., Lynnfield at 10:00 AM. Burial in Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Jimmy Fund, 54 Binney St., Boston, MA 02114 in his memory.