John B. MacDonald

January 11, 1934 - February 04, 2023

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Obituary for John B. MacDonald

John B. MacDonald, 89 years old, of Milton, MA passed peacefully on February 4, 2023 after valiantly battling cancer. He is survived by his five children; John (Mary Alice) of Texas; Janet Garabedian (Mark), of Billerica; Susan Sexton (Greg) of Norfolk, Ann MacDonald and her wife, Kathy Parro of Saugus, and David MacDonald and his partner Ellen Costigan of Quincy. Grandchildren Kyle Sexton and his wife Kristina; Michael Sexton and his fiancé, Samantha Berry; Mark and Paige Garabedian; and Julia (Berkeley) Fondren. He is also survived by his longtime girlfriend Lorraine DiMascio. He was predeceased by his former wife Marjorie Remmes MacDonald and her loving family; his mother, Margaret Hodges; his brother Bill Casey and sister, Mary Davis, and his step-brother, Sonny Hodges. His sister Carol MacLeod is his only surviving sibling. He is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews. Jack was a proud veteran of the U.S. Navy and served in the Korean War from 1951-1954 and the U.S. Naval Reserves from 1954-1961. When he returned from the war, he worked for Westinghouse Electric in Waltham where he became the Shop Steward, a proud union man representing his coworkers. Worthy of note Jack’s love of New England sports, but none loved more than his New England Patriots. He, along with his 11 best friends, were some of the original season ticket holders starting in 1960. He was an avid fan and didn’t miss a Pats game either in the stands or the comfort of his home, ever. We recorded them in case he dozed! In 1964 Jack joined the Milton Police as a Patrolman and covered the East Milton Square beat and loved meeting all the families and children, many who still fondly remember him. Jack had lots of opportunities through the Milton Police Department to receive professional development including a course at Yale School of Medicine in the Psychiatry Department focusing on drug dependency. He earned a B.S. in Law Enforcement from New England College. As his education increased, he was promoted to Juvenile and Narcotics Officer for the town, a job he truly enjoyed. He was able to work with other parents in the town to create places for kids to go after school if they weren’t in sports. In addition he served as the Detective Prosecutor for the town, a job he truly enjoyed. His community service included President of the Milton Youth Club; Chairman Milton Youth Advisory Committee; Chairman of Task Force on Vandalism; Committee Member Salvation Army; Advisory Committee South Shore Mental Health; American Red Cross Committee Member. As Jack was nearing retirement age, he was able to secure a job as a tour guide. This job afforded him the opportunity to travel the world again including many countries in Europe, cities in Japan, Russia, Egypt and many islands in the Caribbean.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, February 8, 2023, in Our Lady of the Visitation Parish, St. Elizabeth’s Church, Milton at 9:45 am. Visiting Hours Tuesday, February 7, 2023, in the Dolan Funeral Home, 460 Granite Avenue, EAST MILTON SQUARE 4-8pm. Interment Private.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to two of his favorite charities, Feeding America and Wounded Warriors.

Services

7 Feb

Visiting Hours

04:00 PM - 08:00 PM

Dolan Funeral Homes and Cremation Services - EAST MILTON SQUARE 460 Granite Avenue Milton, MA 02186 Get Directions »
8 Feb

Mass of Christian Burial

09:45 AM - 10:45 AM

Our Lady of the Visitation Parish (Saint Elizabeth Church) 350 Reedsdale Road Milton, MA 02186 Get Directions »
by Obituary Assistant

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Condolences

  • February 07, 2023

    To the McDonald family, especially John, I want to express my deepest sympathy for your loss. Mac, I remember from youth baseball games, getting me out of a jam and sitting at my parent house during my Grandfathers funeral with the hope of catching a burglar that was taking advantage of those grieving. All good memories of a great man. Rick Connaughton

  • February 07, 2023

    To All of Officer MacDonald's Family...........Deepest Condolences in this time of great loss. A fine gentleman & always in my memories of MHS and East Milton Square back in the 70's. May Mac be well rewarded for all of his good deeds and public service!!

  • February 06, 2023

    Rest in peace Uncle Jack , I'm grateful for the happy memories of family gatherings. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you ❤️ Love, Donna

  • February 06, 2023

    I remember Officer Macdonald fondly. He was kind and always good to me even though I was always up to some mischief. As one of the previous writers wrote he always was on top of everything going on and you could not pull anything over on him. I had the privilege of meeting him many times as an adult and he was genuine, interesting and just a great guy! He will surely be missed.

  • February 06, 2023

    Growing up in Milton everyone knew who Mac was. Hard dozed A cop's cop and just when you thought you were safe by running Into the Woods, he would be behind you. As many times as I ran and I thought I was good, he'd be around the corner. "Where do you think you are going "? If you were a pain in the ass He kicked you in the ass. He made sure you remembered it, you didn't want to tangle with Mac .Of course it's not until you become an adult Where priorities change you come to realize that all MACK was trying to do was keep you out of harm's way, stear you in the right direction. He had his own children to worry about And guide them, at the same time while worrying about half the kids in the town. Thanks for the KICK IN THE ASS John MacDonald ( MACK) RIP ❤ Peter Winn.

  • February 05, 2023

    I was just a young girl (10) in 1972 when he saw me walking in a thunderstorm on Brook Road ( to School At To St As) he picked me up ... delivered me to the door. I met him again 20 years later to discuss an on street parking ticket... and I reminded him of his kindness. It's the little things that make a difference. The first police officer I ever met, I remember him to this day thank you again, and God Bless Cathleen Collins (yetman) milton ma

  • February 05, 2023

    He was bigger than life! I remember him from the Policeman's Outing every summer in Kingston.....and as the truant officer for MH circa 1974-1977. God speed Sir. Katie (Bertram)Durrant Fruita, Colorado

  • February 05, 2023

    The world has indeed lost a great man!!

  • February 05, 2023

    We will always remember Jack with being a good friend over the years and sharing memories of our son, Richard, being a good friend of John, Jr. Sports was such a big part of their lives as teenagers. You will be missed. Rest in Peace, Jack!! We will always remember the smiles we all shared.

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