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Obituary for Mark Carpenter McDonald
Mark Carpenter McDonald May 13, 1925 - Dec. 20, 2011 Mark McDonald 86 years old, born in Lawerance, Mass., the youngest of four children, born to Mark J. and Brenice C. McDonald. Mark grew up most of his young life in Lawerance, Mass. He was always an adventurous kind of person. He learned to be an auto mechanic, he would enjoy building cars and racing them at that time. Mark started off his young adult adult life by joining the military services. He enlisted as a World War II Veteran in 144, into the Army / Air Force and was with the 386th Bombardment Group, in Northern France, for 4 years. While in the service he trained to be an airplane mechanic and sheetmetal worker. After coming home from the war, he began to working as anapprentice Bricklayer, following his family trade. Soon after, he met his first wife, Shirley married in August of 1948. And together they had 3 daughters, June Marie Amirault, Shirlene Van Doorne, and Bernice C. Russell. They had their differences after about four and half years together and decided to go their own ways, but remain neutral friends. He had a passion for flying airplanes, got his pilots license in 1948, but soon after, other responsibilities would come around. Having family became important to him, cared a great deal about family. But the passion never went away, it always stayed with him. He then met his second wife Mary, married her on Sept. 3, 1954. Then decided to move to S. F., Calif. to start a new life. Mark wanted to pursue his career has a Bricklayer/Waterproofer in San Francisco. Mark and Mary began making their family, they eventually had 7 children that they raised together. Life was hard in the city for raising a big family, so in 1974 they decided to move to Vacaville, where they purchased their new home, a place where they would enjoy a more peaceful life and also retire there. Mark worked in the San Francisco bay area for over 40 years for various contractors, Finnedy & Sons Co., Western Waterproofering and A.B.Co. Waterproofing Inc. until he retired about 1988. He was a lifetime member of the Bricklayers & Allied Craft workers Union and with the Bricklayer Local No. 7 for over 50 years. He and his wife Mary, were also active with the American Legion, Redwood City Post 105 and the Vacaville Post and also members of the Veteran of Foreign Wars. And had been members with the Moose Lodge in Vacaville, for over 30 years. Mark enjoyed life to the fullest, some of his favorite pass times were, camping, boating, fishing, golfing, dancing, gardening, and being at family gatherings and outings. Loved animals. Enjoyed traveling to the mountains and to the ocean, stopping wherever it was pleasurable. Mark is survived by his children, daughter Anne Marie Chaviere of France, daughters June Marie Amirault, Bernice Russell both of Mass., daughter Shirlene and Ted Van Doorne of Nashua, NH; sons Mark J. Jr, Don-James, Richard M. McDonald all of Vacaville; daughter Susan McDonald of Oregon, daughter Mary and Chuck Gulley of Eureka, Calif. He also has 17 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. Other close family and friends include, Ken Spry and Dave Hubbert Don Anderson and Vince Rovelli. Mark had many cousins, nephews and nieces and other extended family and friends, both here on the west and on the east coast who he loved and loved to spend time with. He will be missed. He was preceded in death by his devoted wife of 49 years, Mary McDonald (2004) and daughters Debra McDonald (2006) and Rose Marie McDonald (2007). Mark will be joining his wife for burial at the Golden Gate Cemetery, in San Bruno. A visitation will be held on Thursday, Jan. 5, from 5 - 8 p.m. at McCune Garden Chapel. A graveside service will be held on Friday, Jan. 6 at Golden Gate National Cemetery at 2 p.m. located at 1300 Sneath Lane San Bruno, Calif. In lieu of flowers, make contributions to the Disabled Veterans, the Children Foundation or the local S.P.C.A.
