J Richard MacDonald

J. Richard MacDonald of Middleton, Wisconsin died on July 31, 2014 at Agrace HospiceCare after a diagnosis last spring of acute myelogenous leukemia. Born in Montclair, NJ on August 27, 1929, he lived in Lafayette, Indiana from 1930 until his retirement in 1989, when he and his wife moved to northern Wisconsin where he pursued a second career in custom woodcarving. In 2002, he and his wife moved to Middleton, Wisconsin. Dick was a 1947 graduate of West Lafayette High School and a 1951 graduate of the University of Notre Dame. He served in the U.S. Army for two and a half years during the Korean War and was discharged as a 1st Lt. in the Quartermaster Corps. In 1952 he married Joanne (Joey) Bryan of Aurora, Illinois. Following his military service he joined Harrison C. MacDonald & Sons, publishers of advertising materials for newspapers, a Lafayette-based company founded by his father in 1931. He was associated with this firm for 31 years. Dick was predeceased by his son, Michael, of Middleton, WI, two brothers, Ted and Bob of Lafayette, IN, a sister, Mary Ellen Armstrong of Louisville, KY and his parents Harrison C. MacDonald and Esther Evans. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Joey and 7 children: Maggie Coyle (Matt) of Dowelltown, TN, Bryan (Cathy) of New Glarus, WI, John (Debbie) of Williamstown, MA, Bob (Molly) of Boston, MA, Maureen MacDonald (Steve Hillestad) of Eden Prairie, MN, Mary Parker of Boise, ID and Tom (Janan) of Chicago, IL. He is also survived by 19 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. A private memorial will be held in Lafayette, IN with internment of ashes at St. Mary's Cemetery. The family prefers anyone who wishes to remember Dick send a memorial donation to Agrace HospiceCare 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711 rather than sending flowers.

Published in the Journal & Courier on Aug. 13, 2014

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