A caring and kind father who loved the railroad
WILMINGTON — Daniel T. McNall, age 66, of Wilmington and a former Wakefield resident died suddenly March 25 in his home in Wilmington.
He was born in Portsmouth, N.H. on April 9, 1956 and was the son of the late William A. and Helen P. (Melanson) McNall.
Dan was raised in Wakefield and was a graduate of Wakefield High School, Class of 1974. He followed a family tradition and immediately went to work for the Commuter Rail Road from where he retired as Assistant Chief Engineer in 2017.
He had two loves of his life, his three daughters and the railroad. Despite his tough exterior and very little patience he was nothing but a true caring, loving, kind gentle giant. He was a simple man who enjoyed the comforts of his own home. At any given time, you could find him sitting at his kitchen table in his chair with his best friend Buddy by his side.
If you knew Dan you would know his true legacy will live on through his three daughters, which he raised to be strong, independent, and successful women that he taught to always reach for the stars. More often than not he was not just a dad but was both parents to his girls. He was also a very proud Grampy to his grandson, Cameron. He would often brag to everyone about his motocross career.
If you ever worked for Dan aka “Dano” you understood things were going to be done his way and if you disagreed, it was still going to be done his way. The railroad is a better place today because of his passion for the job and the team he built.
Dan will be remembered for the love that he had for those around him and the people that meant the most to him. Some of which were his friends that he considered family at Bow Lake, his neighbors and special friend, Niko and his extended family consisting of nieces and nephews and step-grandchildren.
He is now at peace alongside his best friend Kenny.
He was the beloved father of Kristen Marie Walther and her husband Richard of No. Brookfield, Kelly Ann Marcinkewich and her husband Matthew of Wilmington, and Angelica Rose McNall and her companion Douglas Pelletier of Beverly. He was the brother of William E. and Joseph T. McNall and Elaine B. Collins. He was also the loving grandfather of Cameron and his “sweetheart” Audrey.
His funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Joseph Church, 173 Albion St., Wakefield on Friday, March 31 at 11 a.m. Visiting hours for relatives and friends will be held at the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave., Wakefield on Thursday, March 30 from 4-7 p.m. Interment will be at Lakeside Cemetery, Wakefield.
For online guestbook, www.mcdonaldfs.com
