John MacDonald

No one can deny the full and rewarding life lived by "Mac" MacDonald. With children for whom he could be proud, Mac not only faithfully served his country, but his community as well, in numerous ways. For all he gave and more, Mac will be dearly missed.

Although the decade of the 1930s saw much hardship during the Great Depression, Americans took well to Benny Goodman’s “Stompin’ at the Savoy” while infamous Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth, among several others, were listed into the first Hall of Fame records. It was during this time of mixed blessings when John Francis MacDonald made his entry into the world. Born in the small town of Atkinson, New Hampshire on November 23, 1936, he was the son of J. Frank and Mary (MacLean) MacDonald.

Young John grew up alongside his five brothers, Alistar "Freddie" MacDonald, Tommy Painten, Arthur Painten, Bill Painten and Roddy Painten and two sisters, Alice “Tootsie” and Jean. When John was two years old, his family suffered a great loss when his father sadly passed away. Times continued to be rough throughout John’s childhood, yet he shared boyhood adventures with friends just the same.

During his youth, John worked odd jobs to help his family financially, and learned at an early age the value of hard work. He attended the local schools, and during high school years at Atkinson Academy, played football and also became a dedicated junior firefighter until graduating in 1955.

Soon after, John or “Mac” as he was affectionately called, heeded the call to duty and joined the U.S. Air Force. Making the Air Force his career, Mac remained in the Air Force for the next 23 years. During this time, he learned valuable trades while working various jobs in the service until eventually settling in as a Radar Operations Specialist. Throughout these years, he was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, Vietnam, and bases in the United States.

While stationed in Empire, Michigan, Mac met a young woman while attending the local Cherry Festival who came to win his heart. Mary Bourdo was from Muskegon and in town visiting a friend. Before long she and Mac began dating, fell in love, and within six months were married in 1964.

Shortly after becoming husband and wife, Mac gained custody of his son, John from a previous marriage. He and Mary went on to have three more children, including Jeff in 1965, Scott in 1968, and daughter, Janene in 1970 who joined their older brother, John. Having moved often with his military career, Mac and Mary’s children were born at various places around the U.S., depending on where Mac was stationed at the time and he served time in the country of Germany as well. A big part of their family, their canine companion, “Pooch”, was with them for many of these moves.

When Mac retired in 1978, his family settled in Muskegon to be near Mary’s family. At this time, Mac began serving as a volunteer fireman for the City of Norton Shores and Moorland Township. He also worked at Pennington Brothers cleaning industrial tanks for a few years, too. In time, Mac eventually began working as a 911 dispatcher for Central Dispatch.

In 1986, Mac’s marriage to Mary ended. He kept busy with his work, and spending time with his kids for which he was grateful. In his spare time, Mac enjoyed hunting and fishing. He also liked to go bowling now and then, and enjoyed time as a member of the VFW William J Beal Post 446 and the American Legion.

Before long, Mac began dating Lolita “Lee” Cambis Brown who also worked as a dispatcher for 911 Central Dispatch. After falling in love, the two were married, albeit for a short time before splitting up. But Mac soon realized Lee was the woman for him, after all. He diligently pursued her for the next five years until winning her heart for good.

Mac and Lee were reunited in marriage on July 17, 1998 and together built a home on Barclay Street in Muskegon. Although officially retired, Mac continued to be an active volunteer within the community for several organizations. He served as a school crossing guard at Glenside Elementary School, and also remained active with the fire department as a volunteer for Canteen 450, one of many who provided food and refreshments on the scenes of fires. Mac always had the police scanner on to keep track of the action, and his son, Jeff inherited the habit, too. They would always check in with each other when a big fire was going down. Among his many involvements, Mac also found it a blessing to be a volunteer for Harbor Hospice.

With a penchant for travel, Mac and Lee shared several trips out east to New Hampshire to visit his mother and other relatives. He continued to remain active and added much to the organizations for which he selflessly gave his time and talents. Several years ago, however, Mac developed emphysema and other lung problems, but refused to let it keep him down. Although he fought the disease hard, he eventually developed the need for oxygen. After several different stays in the hospital and an area nursing home, Mac went on to Great Lakes Select Specialty Hospital where he received exceptional care. Deeply missed, he will be fondly remembered in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.

Mr. John F. “Mac” MacDonald, age 76, passed away Saturday, December 29, 2012.SURVIVORS: Wife, Lee; sons, Jeff (Rachel Cereska) MacDonald, Scott (Susan) MacDonald; daughter, Janene (Tom) Irey; stepchildren, Catherine (Ronald) Hegbloom, Joseph Lynn, Larry (Ann) Lynn, Karen (Rick) Hofmeister, Debbie (Mark Radikopf) Neumann; 19 grandchildren; several great grandchildren; former spouse, Mary (Jerry) Fethke; several nieces and nephews on the East Coast who fondly referred to him as Uncle Jackie, and his dogs, Sam and Kramer. He was preceded in death by his son, John MacDonald in 1997. MEMORIAL SERVICE: Friday, January 4, 2013, 1:00 PM with visitation one hour prior to the service at the Clock Chapel-Muskegon with Pastor Ken Shady officiating. MEMORIAL: Harbor Hospice or Great Lakes Specialty Hospital. Please visit www.clockfuneralhome.com to leave a memory and to sign Mac’s online guest book.