Gordon McDonald, 88, passed away on Friday, October 19, 2018. Husband of the late Andrea (Alpe) McDonald, Gordon was born May 31, 1930 in Green Oak Township, Michigan to William and Florence McDonald. After graduation from Howell High School in 1948, he joined the US Navy and served with the Construction Battalions (Seabees). His service included rebuilding American property damaged by the Blitz in London, England where he met his future wife Andrea. They were married at Davisville Naval Construction Battalion Center, Rhode Island, on May 5, 1951. He then assisted in the construction of the US Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
After his honorable discharge from the service, he worked as an electrician, rising from an apprentice to ownership of his own company, McDonald Electric, in Jackson, Michigan. His first job as an electrician included work at Michigan Central Railroad. He was also the head electrician for the Jackson Harness Raceway, and helped with expansions to the Michigan Correctional Institute in Jackson and the former State of Michigan Prison for the Criminally Insane in Ypsilanti, Michigan. He was a proud member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers for 65 years, including president of the Electrical Union in the 1960's. He loved fishing in the summer and tobogganing in the winter with his family.
He moved to Florida with his wife in 1989 and returned to Michigan in 2008. His passions included sailing the Great Lakes, traveling the world, and cooking. He was the winner of multiple Chili Contests, Salad Contests and the Dessert War at Burcham. He was the go-to family man for all things relating to "how to" and an encyclopedia for information and customs. He will be remembered for his wisdom, sharp sense of humor, and life-long love of his family and friends.
He is survived by his children Daniel (Victoria) McDonald, Veronica McDonald, MD, and Gerald (Jennifer) McDonald. He has nine grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and an extended family of friends at Burcham.
After his honorable discharge from the service, he worked as an electrician, rising from an apprentice to ownership of his own company, McDonald Electric, in Jackson, Michigan. His first job as an electrician included work at Michigan Central Railroad. He was also the head electrician for the Jackson Harness Raceway, and helped with expansions to the Michigan Correctional Institute in Jackson and the former State of Michigan Prison for the Criminally Insane in Ypsilanti, Michigan. He was a proud member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers for 65 years, including president of the Electrical Union in the 1960's. He loved fishing in the summer and tobogganing in the winter with his family.
He moved to Florida with his wife in 1989 and returned to Michigan in 2008. His passions included sailing the Great Lakes, traveling the world, and cooking. He was the winner of multiple Chili Contests, Salad Contests and the Dessert War at Burcham. He was the go-to family man for all things relating to "how to" and an encyclopedia for information and customs. He will be remembered for his wisdom, sharp sense of humor, and life-long love of his family and friends.
He is survived by his children Daniel (Victoria) McDonald, Veronica McDonald, MD, and Gerald (Jennifer) McDonald. He has nine grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and an extended family of friends at Burcham.
Gordon McDonald, 88, passed away on Friday, October 19, 2018. Husband of the late Andrea (Alpe) McDonald, Gordon was born May 31, 1930 in Green Oak Township, Michigan to William and Florence McDonald. After graduation from Howell High School in 1948, he joined the US Navy and served with the Construction Battalions (Seabees). His service included rebuilding American property damaged by the Blitz in London, England where he met his future wife Andrea. They were married at Davisville Naval Construction Battalion Center, Rhode Island, on May 5, 1951. He then assisted in the construction of the US Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
After his honorable discharge from the service, he worked as an electrician, rising from an apprentice to ownership of his own company, McDonald Electric, in Jackson, Michigan. His first job as an electrician included work at Michigan Central Railroad. He was also the head electrician for the Jackson Harness Raceway, and helped with expansions to the Michigan Correctional Institute in Jackson and the former State of Michigan Prison for the Criminally Insane in Ypsilanti, Michigan. He was a proud member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers for 65 years, including president of the Electrical Union in the 1960's. He loved fishing in the summer and tobogganing in the winter with his family.
He moved to Florida with his wife in 1989 and returned to Michigan in 2008. His passions included sailing the Great Lakes, traveling the world, and cooking. He was the winner of multiple Chili Contests, Salad Contests and the Dessert War at Burcham. He was the go-to family man for all things relating to "how to" and an encyclopedia for information and customs. He will be remembered for his wisdom, sharp sense of humor, and life-long love of his family and friends.
He is survived by his children Daniel (Victoria) McDonald, Veronica McDonald, MD, and Gerald (Jennifer) McDonald. He has nine grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and an extended family of friends at Burcham.
After his honorable discharge from the service, he worked as an electrician, rising from an apprentice to ownership of his own company, McDonald Electric, in Jackson, Michigan. His first job as an electrician included work at Michigan Central Railroad. He was also the head electrician for the Jackson Harness Raceway, and helped with expansions to the Michigan Correctional Institute in Jackson and the former State of Michigan Prison for the Criminally Insane in Ypsilanti, Michigan. He was a proud member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers for 65 years, including president of the Electrical Union in the 1960's. He loved fishing in the summer and tobogganing in the winter with his family.
He moved to Florida with his wife in 1989 and returned to Michigan in 2008. His passions included sailing the Great Lakes, traveling the world, and cooking. He was the winner of multiple Chili Contests, Salad Contests and the Dessert War at Burcham. He was the go-to family man for all things relating to "how to" and an encyclopedia for information and customs. He will be remembered for his wisdom, sharp sense of humor, and life-long love of his family and friends.
He is survived by his children Daniel (Victoria) McDonald, Veronica McDonald, MD, and Gerald (Jennifer) McDonald. He has nine grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and an extended family of friends at Burcham.
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