HOLDEN – George Angus McDonald Sr., 90, died Dec. 6, 2008, at a Brewer nursing home. He was born March 15, 1918, in Bangor, the youngest son of John and Katherine (Gillis) McDonald. George graduated from Brewer High School in 1937. He married his childhood sweetheart and classmate, Ida Mayo, in 1941; together they raised and nurtured five children. George worked in local shoe shops, primarily as a cutter, for 43 years. He and his wife were very active in the Maine State Democratic Party and the Congress On Political Education. Through the years they volunteered for and mentored many aspiring political candidates. George was also involved in many local unions, including Boot and Shoe Workers International and Ladies Garment Workers Union, where he served as vice president. He was an avid fan of Brewer High School football, where he also played for the football team. He was selectman of the town of Holden from 1980 to 1996. He was also on the board of directors for the Council of Government, Eastern Area Agency on Aging and was a member of Eastern Maine Development Corp. George and Ida were founders and past presidents of Holden PTA. In 1996 George was honored by the town of Holden in recognition for his many years of service to the community. George was a communicant of St. Joseph’s Church, where he served on the parish council and was also an usher. George enjoyed bowling and he and Ida could be seen every week at Charlie and Marie’s bowling alley participating in many leagues. They also hosted the annual Senior League Bowling banquet on “the ridge.” George was also known to many as Angus, Mac or Gus. He was predeceased by his wife, Ida; an infant daughter, Patricia; his parents; brothers, John and Francis; and sisters, Mary and Arlene. He is survived by his children, John Jesse, George A. Jr. and wife, Teresa, James Mayo and wife, Irene, all of Holden, Margaret P. Joyal and husband, Rod, of Eddington and Joseph A. from Holden; grandchildren, Jennifer A. Rice and husband, Jeff, of Salem, Mass., George A. McDonald III and wife, Rebecca, of Campbell, Calif., Sarah McDonald of Boone, N.C., Michael McDonald and wife, Lori, of Standish, Jamie McDonald of Pittsburgh, Taylor McDonald and wife, Mandy, of Bangor, Tessie McDonald of Holden, Belinda McDonald and husband, Joe, of Jonesport, Laura McDonald of Hollywood, Fla., and David McDonald of Eddington; great-grandchildren, Catherine, Joseph and Mary McDonald of Jonesport and Jake Dean McDonald of Standish; many nieces, nephews and cousins of Inverness, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. The family thanks the staff of Brewer Rehab and Living Center for their compassionate care. Friends may call 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, at Brookings-Smith, Clark-Piper Chapel, 55 South Main St., Brewer. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Brewer. Interment will be in the spring at Clewleyville Cemetery, Holden. The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments in St. Joseph Parish Hall after the service. Those who wish to remember George in a special way may make gifts in his memory to Special Olympics of Maine, 125 John Roberts Road, Suite 19, South Portland, ME 04106. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.
GEORGE ANGUS MCDONALD SR.
