Moved to North Reading to be closer to family
Published in the July 28, 2016 edition
NORTH READING — John S. “Jack” MacDonald, 77, affectionately known as “Grumpy” to his family and many friends, passed away peacefully at his home on the morning of July 23.
Jack and his wife, Cecilia (Berger) moved to North Reading in 2008 to be closer to their family, and they quickly fell in love with the town and its people. Jack could often be seen playing golf at Hillview Country Club, watching his grandchildren at school events, sports fields and dance recitals as well as driving the family dog, Mulligan, around town.
Jack and Cecilia were married in 1963 and resided in Trumbull, Conn., prior to moving to North Reading. They celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary on July 13.
Born in Ellicottville, N.Y. on Dec. 19, 1938, Jack graduated from Lynbrook (N.Y.) High School and Seton Hall University, which he attended on a track scholarship. He was employed as a small business administrator at Textron, Inc., in Stratford, Conn..
Jack is survived by his daughter Kat MacDonald and her spouse Suzanne Abair of Lexington. He is also survived by his daughter MaryAnn (MA) Veneziano and her husband John of North Reading. He is also survived by his son, Stephen MacDonald and his wife Ashlie of Raleigh, N.C. The joy and light of his life were his six grandchildren: Alex and Jacob MacDonald; Madeline and Ryan Veneziano, and Anna and Jack MacDonald, his namesake.
A Funeral Mass is being held today at 10:30 a.m. in St. Theresa Church, 63 Winter St. (Rte. 62). Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jack’s name to the North Reading CSF Dollars for Scholars Endowment Fund, P.O. Box 529, North Reading MA 01864 or St. Joseph High School Scholarship Fund, 2320 Huntington Turnpike, Trumbull CT 06611.
