Donald McFadden

Attorney Donald Douglas McFadden, 93, of Orchard West, Newberry Estate, Dallas, died Friday morning, Dec. 26, 2025, at home.

Born Aug. 14, 1932, in Wilkes-Barre, he was a son of the late Frederick and Bridget (Bertha) McAndrew McFadden.

Don attended Girard College in Philadelphia through 9th grade and graduated from GAR High School in 1950, where he lettered in football, wrestling, and track, and served as captain of the wrestling team.

A practicing lawyer, Don received a Bachelor of Science degree from Wilkes College, a JD from Dickinson School of Law, and a Master of Laws in taxation from Georgetown University Law Center. At Wilkes College, he lettered in football and served as captain of the wrestling team.

As a municipal bond attorney, he was the first to be certified in Luzerne County. He was instrumental in arranging financing for the Wilkes-Barre Municipal Golf Course, the Wyoming Valley Sanitary Sewer plant, and most municipal sewer systems in Luzerne County.

During the recovery efforts after Hurricane Agnes and the 1972 flood, he served as solicitor to the Wilkes-Barre Redevelopment Authority, the Wilkes-Barre Parking Authority, and the Wilkes-Barre Industrial Development Authority, an association that continued until his death.

Serving as the president of the Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of the Board of the Greater Wilkes-Barre Industrial Fund, he was instrumental in the development of the Crestwood and Hanover Township Industrial Parks.

In addition to serving as solicitor to the city of Wilkes-Barre, he served as solicitor for the City of Nanticoke Redevelopment Authority, Harveys Lake Sewer Authority, and Jackson and Conyngham Township Sewer Authorities.

He served as a delegate to the Pennsylvania Bar Association and was a charter member of the National Association of Bond Attorneys. He held several positions over the years at Newberry Estate, including terms as president of the Meadows and Orchard East Councils. He was serving as treasurer of the Newberry Home Owners Association at the time of his death.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Robert McFadden, of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina; and Frederick McFadden, of Owego, New York; his sister, Rosemary Heins, of Monticello, New York; and his cherished cousin, Rosanne Cobb O'Boyle, of Wilkes-Barre.

Surviving, in addition to his wife, Sheila O'Connell McFadden, are children, Maura Caddell and husband, John, Camp Hill; Douglas McFadden and wife, Sylvia, Camden, North Carolina; and Robert McFadden and wife Tracy, Jackson Township; grandchildren, Scott McFadden and wife, Brittany; Todd McFadden, George, and Charles Caddell; Duncan and Ella McFadden; and his great-grandson, Henry McFadden.

Also surviving are sister, Patricia Bates and her husband, Richard (Hank), of Cape Cod, Massachusetts; and sister-in-law Barbara McFadden, of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina; and many cherished nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Celebration of Don's Life takes place in the Church of St. Therese, Pioneer Avenue at Davis Street in Shavertown, on Wednesday, Dec 31. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m., and a Funeral Mass will begin at 10 a.m.

Donations to Misericordia University for the "Donald and Sheila O'Connell '64 McFadden Scholarship," 301 Lake St, Dallas PA 18612, are preferred and will honor Don's memory.

Share memories and condolences with Don's family at mjmclaughlin.com.