Francis McDonnell

Prominent restaurateurSTRATHAM, NH - Francis C. "Skip" McDonnell 74, of Stratham, New Hampshire and North Miami, Florida prominent builder, "restaurateur", respected thoroughbred racehorse owner and breeder passed away peacefully Monday afternoon, November 23, 2009 at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.Skip was born December 10, 1934 in Medford, Massachusetts the son of the late Francis C. McDonnell and Catherine V. (Sylvia) Saulnier. Educated in the Saugus Schools, he attended Saugus High School. In 1950, while at a local dance, Skip met Barbara Jackson. The two courted for some five years before marrying in 1955. Barbara always knew that Skip would be the man with whom she would spend her life. The couple welcomed two children in Michael and Barbara some years later and Skip continued to build his business and a sterling reputation.Skip started from humble beginnings forming McDonnell Trucking Company in 1956. As the sole owner with only one truck, he hauled loam and gravel while also plowing for the City of Lynn, Massachusetts during the winter months. McDonnell Construction Company was founded shortly thereafter in 1961 and he soon began building homes in Peabody, Lynn, Saugus, and Lynnfield Massachusetts. Skip was a lifelong member of the Home Builders Association and received awards for his accomplishments in the industry. In the late 1960's and early 1970's he began building apartment complexes in Lynn, Saugus and Danvers Massachusetts. He eventually built Cimarron Apartments in Seabrook, New Hampshire, one of the largest apartment complexes in New Hampshire. Following great success in rental units, Skip soon tried his hand as "hotelier". In 1978 he built, owned and operated the Best Western Seabrook Inn and passionately managed the business until his final days.In addition to his talents as both builder and developer, Skip loved such things as restaurants and racehorses. Both the owner and co-owner of several establishments, Skip's unique style graced such restaurants as: The Dutch Grill in Lynn, Massachusetts, the Candy Lounge in Revere, Massachusetts the Bayside in Nahant, Massachusetts and the Epicurean Restaurant in Exeter, New Hampshire. Skip truly seized the day as he found a way to blend all of his passions into his quotidian. Horseracing was no exception as this was yet another entrepreneurial endeavor that offered him great joy. A renowned and respected thoroughbred racehorse owner with a breeding and training operation in Ocala, Florida, Skip was the proud owner of several stakes winners and raced at nearly all tracks in the United States and Canada. A member of the New England Thoroughbred Racing Association and the Florida Thoroughbred Association, Skip received numerous awards over the years and in 2008, he was honored with the Sam McCracken Memorial Award for Lifetime Achievement.Skip and Barbara have resided in Stratham, New Hampshire since 1972, moving to the Seacoast from Lynnfield, Massachusetts. They wintered in Florida where they enjoyed the warm weather and everything that it entails. Entertaining was always great fun and their annual Super Bowl party was always an absolute must! Yet another source of enjoyment was the allure of the sea. Moored in Miami, Skip loved spending time cruising on Tranquility, his Sea Ray. Parties aboard were not uncommon and always welcomed. Truly his pride and joy, his cruiser even made it into the Fort Lauderdale Christmas Parade.A passionate and dedicated man, Skip tremendously enjoyed his work and wholeheartedly loved his family. Dynamic and resilient, Skip managed his company artfully and cared deeply for his entire family. We will forever miss his energy and passion. Skip is survived by his loving and devoted wife Barbara A. (Jackson) of Stratham, New Hampshire his children Michael C. and his wife Katherine Lichty McDonnell of Stratham, New Hampshire and Barbara Jean (McDonnell) Lanum of Medford, Massachusetts. He leaves his sister Carmel A. O'B