Joseph Bernard MacDonald Sr.

Joseph Bernard MacDonald, Sr., passed away on March 17, 2025, in St Augustine, FL.
He was born on October 3, 1924, in Ogdensburg, New York, the son of Alden Joseph MacDonald and Irene Agnes Molloy MacDonald. He was predeceased by his daughter Suzanne Gonzales, Joliet, IL; son Thomas Girard MacDonald, El Centro, CA; and granddaughter Sarah Barkley, Joliet, IL; brothers Edward MacDonald and Andrew MacDonald, Ogdensburg, NY. Joe is survived by his beloved wife of 77 years, Beverly Girard MacDonald, whom he wed on November 20, 1947, at Notre Dame Catholic Church, Ogdensburg, NY.
Their life together would take them around the US and other corners of the globe between his career and their retirement. He was the father of Renee Ravlin (Lester) St Albans, VT; Andrea MacDonald, St Augustine, FL; and Joseph MacDonald Jr (Cynthia) Savannah, GA. He was the grandfather of Bryan Ravlin (Heather); Brad Ravlin, Ashley Blaine (Kirk); Danielle MacDonald (Jake); Geoff Price (Taryn), and Shannon MacDonald (Clay). He was the Great-grandfather of Ethan and Colin Ravlin; Emily and Leah Price; and William and Lillian Blaine.
He served in the US Navy during World War II aboard the battleship USS Nevada seeing action at the Invasion of Normandy, Cherbourg, the Invasion of Southern France, Jaluit, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa as a Boatswain Mate Third Class. He was a graduate of St Mary's Academy, Ogdensburg, NY, the NY State Police Academy, and the US Border Patrol Academy. He attended Paul Smith's College and the FBI Academy. He retired as Assistant Deputy Commissioner, of the US Border Patrol, in 1979. After retirement, he worked as an investigator for the US Government before fully retiring in the late 1980s.
Joe was a lifelong, enthusiastic traveler, golf (with multiple aces), fisherman, waterman, and sports fan. His curiosity, conviviality, Catholic faith, and love of cocktail hour with friends & family were hallmarks of his entire life. He loved the St. Lawrence River that he grew up next to, worked on as a young man, and would visit throughout his life. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Navy League, and the Elks Club.
A Memorial Mass will be held at St Anastasia Catholic Church on April 2nd at 11 am. The interment take place at St Mary's Cemetery, Ogdensburg, NY at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his name, to the Bailey Center Hospice: (https://www.communityhospice.com/) would be appreciated. Those desiring may leave messages of sympathy and encouragement by going to his tribute page at https://www.stjohnsfamilyfuneralhome.com/obituaries/joseph-macdonald-6/#!/TributeWall.
St. Johns Family Funeral Home of St. Augustine is in charge of arrangements.