James H. McDonald Jr.

McDONALD, JAMES H. JR., 76, of Hyannis, formerly of Cumberland, R.I., passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, August 19th at Cape Cod Hospital surrounded by his family. He was the loving husband of Mrs. Mildred (Tardie) McDonald.

Mr. McDonald was born in Pawtucket, R.I., on Feb. 1, 1932, son of the late James H. McDonald Sr. and the late Mary (Bannon) McDonald of Pawtucket, R.I. He lived in Cumberland for many years before moving to Hyannis in the early 1980s.

Besides his wife, Mr. McDonald is survived by his children, Mrs. Sharon (McDonald) Hart of East Dummerston, Vt., Mr. Stephen McDonald of Peacedale, R.I., and Mr. Michael McDonald of Cumberland; his brother Bernard F. McDonald and his wife Dorothy of Warren, RI; and his stepsons, Mr. Thomas Geiler Jr. and Mr. Patrick Geiler, both of Hyannis. He also leaves 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Mr. McDonald was a career newspaperman, starting as a linotype operator at the Pawtucket Times before moving to the Providence Journal Co. He eventually rose to the position of feature news writer/reporter with the Journal, spanning a career of more than 30 years. He also retired in 1992 from a military reservist career as a Master Sergeant with the 43rd Military Police Brigade, RI Army National Guard. MSGT McDonald served in the Korean War with the 3rd Infantry Division, U.S. Army. His military decorations included the Bronze Service Star and the National Defense Service Medal.

Mr. McDonald was a graduate of Roger Williams College, and was active with the Retiree's Association of the Rhode Island Army National Guard. He was a communicant of Our Lady of Victory Church in Hyannis.

Relatives and friends celebrated a Mass of Christian burial on Aug. 25, at Our Lady of Victory Church, 230 South Main Street, Centerville, MA. He is interred in the Veteran's National Cemetery, Massachusetts Military Reservation, Otis AFB, in Bourne, MA.