John Jesse "Johnny Mac" McDonald

HOLDEN - John Jesse McDonald, "Johnny Mac," 68, died April 20, 2011, with his son and siblings by his side at an Augusta hospital. He was born Aug. 22, 1942, in Bangor, the son of George Angus McDonald Sr. and Ida (Mayo) McDonald. John graduated from Brewer High School in 1960. He was also a graduate of Higgins Classical Institute and attended Husson College for two years before he was drafted in 1966. John enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served during the Vietnam War from 1967 to 1970. He was stationed at Dow Air Force Base, Labrador, and Merced, Calif. He then finished his education at Long Beach Community College. John remained in California for 14 years, where he had his son with wife, Suzanne (Dow). During that time he was employed by Hi Shear Corp. & Kierulff Electronics. John drove his beloved Jaguar cross-country to Maine to open Johnny Mac's. He is remembered for his many "ridge parties." He was also a sponsor for many ice fishing derbies, snowball softball games and English Mark dart tournaments. He was a member of the Elks, Eagles and American Legion. During his retirement John spent much of his time at Upper Lead Mountain Pond and at home on his Massey Harris tractor. He is survived by his son, Michael and wife, Lori, and grandson, Jake Dean, of Standish; "brother," Margaret Joyal and husband, Rod, of Eddington; brothers, George and wife, Teresa, and James and wife, Irene, all of Holden, and Joseph of Bangor; many nieces and nephews; as well as special friends, Richard Inman of Brewer, Ron "Squeaky" Blanchard of Holden and Ronnie Erving of Florida. A special thanks to Togas VA Medical Center, SCU and especially to Brenda for her kindness. Friends are welcome to call 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, April 26, at Brookings-Smith, Brewer Chapel, 55 South Main St., Brewer, where a memorial service will be held 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 27, with the Rev. Robert T. Carlson officiating. Interment will be held at Maine Veterans Cemetery, Augusta, at a later date. Those wishing to remember John in a special way may make gifts in his name 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.