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BORN
1945
DIED
2025
Walter McDonough Obituary
From 1980 through 2020, McDonough was the headline performer at Mahogany Shoals on Payne's Dock, entertaining an ever-growing and loyal fanbase with an acoustic guitar, a fiddle or mandolin, and a gravelly voice spiked with witty and congenial humor.
His boundless folk repertoire included Irish ballads like Black Velvet Band and The Rare Auld Times, sea shanties like Valparaiso, Round the Horn and What Do You Do With a Drunken Sailor, humorous ditties like Eat Bertha's Mussels and A Pub With No Beer, and love songs like Roseville Fair and McDonough's signature closing number, The Dutchman.
McDonough was a Renaissance man, distinctly erudite, well-spoken and well-versed in Irish folklore, who regularly sprinkled his performances with quotes from the works of Gaelic poets including William Butler Yeats, James Joyce, and James Stephens.
He grew up in Norwood, Massachusetts, playing sandlot baseball and ice hockey. During the 1970s, along with Jim McGrath, Fud Benson, and Jim Bennett, McDonough was one of the original members of the popular Newport, R.I. band The Reprobates. During his long tenure on Block Island, he performed at many venues, including the Atlantic Inn, Smuggler's Cove, Yellow Kittens, and numerous island weddings.
In his leisure time he enjoyed playing golf with his friends, reading, and following all of Boston's professional sports teams. He loved his dogs Nora and Zip and enjoyed Jameson Irish whiskey at work and at play.
McDonough was 80 years old when he died. He leaves behind his best friend and beloved wife Mary Beth Megan, sisters Margaret Maggie Korolkoff and Jeanne Trenouth, numerous nieces and nephews, and hundreds upon hundreds of mourning friends and fans.
He was a man you don't meet every day.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Walter McDonough
John Gugliotta
August 29, 2025
I remember Wally when we played Little League in Norwood. He won the league home run title in 1957 and played 3rd base because he had a great arm. Was a very good athlete. He also was a member of the Norwood COLONIAL BOYS fife and drum corps. An excellent self taught musician.
Smart, witty and so talented.
Definitely marched to his own drummer.
Saw him anytime we were on BI.
RIP Wally
Selina
August 21, 2025
Block Island wouldn't be the Block without Walter and his poetry in motion. An evening with Walter transported us all and was filled with merriment, laughter, tears and good fun. Thank you to Walter and family:
May the blessings of light be upon you,
Light without and light within.
And in all your comings and goings,
May you ever have a kindly greeting
From them you meet on the road.
Pete Swan
July 19, 2025
Ah, Walter. You were a classic, a piece of work, a magnificent performer and a remarkable reconteur. You are sorely missed.
Megan and Jim (Mahogany Shoals patrons)!
June 25, 2025
We´ve spent many a happy evening listening to Walter - a Block Island icon. We´ve adored many musicians, but Walter was unlike any other: A singular talent and a memorable soul. Peace to Walter and our deepest condolences to Mary Beth and the rest of his loved ones.
Dave
May 26, 2025
He was the very best: muscian and poet: a real musician: not a top 40 repertoire: song with a spirit and soul.: some times funny and with a profound l thoughtfulness: it ids not the same Mahogany Shoals except he will constantly be heard: so long my friend. We will see you ldatsr
Capt Bill Gould
May 23, 2025
Walter always got a laugh when he greeted me at the Shoales after one of my night Charters with.What are you doing here was there a ship wreck?
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