Raymond E. McDonald

1939 - 2024

Raymond E. McDonald
January 20, 1939 - February 2, 2024
Raymond Edward McDonald passed away peacefully after complications from Parkinson's related dementia. Known as "Big Ray", "Coach Mac", and most proudly as "G'pa", he was the beloved husband of Sandra (McArthur) McDonald for 61 years and loving father to Cindy (Kevin) Dunleavy, Ray McDonald and Kerrie Ronan. Enthusiastic Grandpa to nine grandchildren, Tim (Brooke), Ryan (Erin) and Danny Dunleavy, Kelly, Tracy, Mickey and Maggie McDonald, and Brian and Megan Ronan; and great-grandpa to Maeve Dunleavy.
A third generation San Franciscan from the Noe Valley, who enjoyed giving "The Tour" of his old neighborhood, he was the son of Raymond "Mickey" and Mary (Heavey) McDonald and brother of Terence McDonald and Susan Markell, all of whom have passed. Ray began his lifelong love of baseball at St. Philip the Apostle School spending countless afternoons at Douglass Park before becoming a stand-out baseball player at St. Ignatius High School (Class of 1956). He signed a professional baseball contract with the Milwaukee Braves and following his release, he served in the United States Army, stationed in Germany for three years.
He and Sandy married at their shared grammar school church (St. Philip's) in 1962. In the years thereafter, they raised their family in South San Francisco where he worked as a driver/salesman for Bob Ostrow Div. of Morrell Meats before becoming a firefighter for the City of South San Francisco in 1972. A man of service to his community through coaching and organizational skills, he helped make South City's youth baseball program one of the finest on the Peninsula. His contacts in coaching circles sparked his entrepreneurial skills by establishing Personal Awards, a trophy and awards business, which began in Brisbane and operates today in San Mateo after nearly 50 years.
After his retirement, when not golfing with his buddies, he went back to coaching baseball full time as the Head Varsity Coach, most notably at Crystal Springs Uplands and Sacred Heart Prep. Even when coaching college level players for the Daly City Fog, he demanded his players to hustle on and off the field and their uniforms be clean, shirts tucked in, shoes shined. With trademark sarcasm, mannerisms and one-liners, he left many an umpire wondering whether they had just been complimented or insulted.
As a longtime "Friend of Bill W." he touched the lives of many by helping others with the struggles of addiction. Through giving talks at universities, community events, or by simply being present at a meeting, he gave inspiration and compassion to those in need.
He was actively involved with leadership roles in the San Francisco Old Timers Baseball Association and Old Time Athlete's Association of Northern California but his favorite pastime was watching his grandkids play sports – he and Sandy watched a lot of games. He proudly saw all of his nine grandchildren play high school sports, four at the collegiate level, and his namesake, Raymond "Mickey" McDonald at the professional level for the Oakland Athletics.
The family gives special thanks to the loving care Ray received at the VA Memory Care facility in Menlo Park.
Friends are invited to celebrate a Funeral Mass on Saturday, February 10, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Philip the Apostle Church, 725 Diamond St., San Francisco.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions in memory of Raymond McDonald to be made to Brain Support Network (brainsupportnetwork.org) or the Old Timers Baseball Association of San Francisco: c/o Gary Bader, 7 Meadow Brook Dr., San Francisco, 94132.