REV. PAUL V. MACDONALD

FUNERAL HOME

William J. Gormley Funeral Home

2055 Centre Street

West Roxbury, Massachusetts

PAUL MACDONALD Obituary

Name: Lying in State for REV. PAUL V. MACDONALD
Start: 2020-11-23T21:00:00.000Z
End: 2020-11-24T00:00:00.000Z
Location: St. John Chrysostom Church

MACDONALD, Rev. Paul V. Age 88, passed away peacefully November 17, 2020 after a brief illness. Fr. Paul was a retired priest of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston for over 60 years. He was a member of the class of 1959 St. John's Seminary. A lifelong resident of West Roxbury, he was the son of the late Leo and Jeanette MacDonald. Paul was also predeceased by his brother, David and his wife Lucy (Iadonisi), and her son, Kenney (Logan) of Dedham. He is survived by his beloved cousins, John R., Daniel F., and Paul E., of Boston and Edward J., of Wilmington, N.C. Fr. Paul also leaves behind MacDonald cousins in Maple Hill, PEI Canada where he spent many summers in his youth: Grant, Gerard, Barbara (Brazil), Kermit, Mary (Gallant) and their spouses and families. In Toronto, Ontario: Margaret and John. Predeceased by cousins Edward MacDonald of Boston, Donald, Rod and Ronald MacDonald; of Grand Falls Windsor, NFLD. Minnesota cousins include Charles, Jean, Linda and Mary MacDonald, along with Margaret Reese of California. Father Paul served at St. Williams, Dorchester, St. Coleman's, Brockton, Sacred Heart, Weymouth Landing and St. Francis Xavier, Scituate. His dedicated service continued in the parishes of St. John Chrysostom and St. Theresa, both in West Roxbury and St. Joseph's, Needham. Fr. Paul was a true man of the people who loved animals, and was well known in both the parishes and restaurants in West Roxbury and Dedham. His neighbors, their pets, parishioners and waitstaff were like family to him and his presence will be sorely missed. Fr. Paul will lie-in-state at St. John Chrysostom Church, 4750 Washington Street, West Roxbury on Monday November 23, 2020 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (COVID-19 guidelines will be followed with masks and social distancing maintained.) A private concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated in St. Theresa of Avila Church on Tuesday. To live stream the Funeral Mass please visit: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCB1sw047sVSV2BsWOQvrOHw. To leave a condolence message for the family, please visit: gormleyfuneral.com William J. Gormley Funeral Service 617-323-8600

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Boston Globe from Nov. 20 to Nov. 23, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for PAUL MACDONALD

7 Entries

Family of Joseph Gibbons

November 25, 2020

Sorry to hear of the loss of Father Paul. It will never be forgotten all that you did for the parishoners of Saint Francis Xavier Cabrini in North Scituate. My family loved him.

Ron Brown

November 23, 2020

I will never forget Father McDonald. I was only a little boy in St Williams parish. His kind voice and gentle demeanor will always be etched in my memory.

November 22, 2020

Sincere sympathies to John, Dan, Edward and Paul (Fr Paul's namesake) on your loss; as well as the entire MacDonald family. With Love, Linda & Tom

Jim & Helen Linnehan

November 21, 2020

Fr. Paul became an integral part of the great parish of St. John Chrysostom in West Roxbury. We thoroughly enjoyed his homilies (no matter how long!), his stories, his kindly manner, and his sincere interest in parishioners. May he rest in eternal peace, and may family and friends find comfort in warm memories of time spent with him and of his great many years in service to God.

Ann Scott

November 21, 2020

I worked with Fr. MacDonald for 7 years as a principal in one of his schools and found him to be a priest really caring and responsive to his people. Loved working with him. He will be missed.
Ann

Anne MacDonald

November 21, 2020

I had the privilege of working with Fr. Paul off and on over the years. He was always "there for us" at Most Precious Blood when we needed a priest to fill in. He would say the "downstairs" Christmas Mass at St. John Chrysostom and I was happy to supply the carols on the piano. He was a priest from the "old school," self-effacing, kindly, and did not suffer fools gladly! I'll miss him, especially this coming Christmas. Rest in peace, dear Fr. Paul!

Maureen Weeks

November 21, 2020

Fr. MacDonald figures prominently in my childhood growing up in St. Williams parish in Dorchester. A memorable man, with pointed and profound sermons. I remember one when he recounted his decision to enter the seminary for training to be a priest. He gave up a scholarship to Harvard Medial School. His calm humble demeanor is memorable for me to this day, he was unflappable even in situations that were difficult. He will always remain in the consciousness of the residents of St. Williams/Savin Hill for many years!
When my mother died in the 1990s' he came to the wake at Murphys on Dorchester Ave. I was quite taken by the deep serenity within his eyes! A memory that has always stayd with me as I maneuver through the sometimes difficult stresses of adult life and aging. My condolences to his family, a great loss but a greater legaacy!

Showing 1 - 7 of 7 results