VAN BUREN – Father Robert E. McDonald, SM, 86, died Wednesday morning, Jan. 24, 2007, at a Van Buren health care facility. He was born Nov. 29, 1920, in Limestone, the son of Edward and Iva (Brown) McDonald. He was educated in Limestone schools from 1926 to 1936 and studied for the priesthood at the Marist Seminaries, Bedford, Mass., and Framingham, Mass., from 1936 to 1950. Fr. Mac, as he was affectionately known, took his religious vows as a Marist, the Society of Mary, at the Marist Novitiate, Staten Island, N.Y., Sept. 8, 1942. He was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Richard Cardinal Cushing, Feb. 2, 1950, at the Church of Our Lady of Victories, Boston. His priestly assignments included many areas of ministry. He was a high school teacher at St. Mary’s College, Van Buren, Van Buren Boys High School and then Van Buren District High School 1944-1945, 1950-1954, and 1956-1971. He taught at Cathedral High School, Detroit, from 1954 to 1956 and at Bishop Grimes High School, East Syracuse, N.Y., from 1971 to 1972. Fr. Mac was also involved in parish ministry as a parish priest and parochial vicar at St. Bruno Parish, Van Buren from 1972 to 1974, at St. John the Baptist Parish, Brunswick from 1974 to 1978, and at St. Bruno-St. Remi Parish, Van Buren and St. Joseph Parish, Hamlin from 1998 to 2007. He served as catholic chaplain at St. Mary’s Hospital and Central Maine Medical Center, Lewiston, from 1978 to 1988, and as the catholic contract chaplain at the Veterans Administration Hospital, Togus, from 1988 to 1998. One of his most beloved ministries was as chaplain and team presenter for the Worldwide Marriage Encounter Movement for more than 25 years. He is survived by two sisters, Fay Geden of Philadelphia and Anne Beemer of Middletown, N.Y.; one brother, Joel McDonald of Long Island, N.Y. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brothers, Gregory, James, Alfred and Peter; and by his sisters, Letha and Theresa. The remains of Fr. McDonald will lie in state 2-9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26, and 7-9:30 a.m. Saturday at the St. Bruno-St. Remi Catholic Church. A concelebrated funeral Mass will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, at St. Bruno-St. Remi Church with the Very Rev. Roland Lajoie, SM, provincial of the Marist Fathers, as main celebrant. Spring interment will be in McDonald family lot, St. Louis Cemetery, Limestone. In memory of Fr. Mac, please pray and offer masses for the repose of his soul and for vocations to the priesthood. Memorial donations may be made to the Marist Fathers Senior Religious Fund, 518 Pleasant St., Framingham, MA 01701-2898. Funeral arrangements are a service of Ouellette-Thibault Funeral Home, 118 High St., Van Buren. To leave online condolences, please visit www.ouellettefuneralhome.com
REV. ROBERT E. MCDONALD SM
