David F. McDonald

Beloved Father and husband David F. McDonald, 80, of Lowell, Massachusetts passed away on Monday, July 7, 2025, at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, surrounded by the love of his family.

He was the loving husband for 58 years of Margaret E. (Darisse) McDonald, who survives him.

Born in Lowell, MA, April 7, 1945, the son of the late Samuel and the late Helen (Carey) McDonald, he received his education in the Lowell school system and graduated from Lowell High School in the class of 1963.

Dave was a Journeyman Plumber and business owner, after many years Dave became a certified plumbing instructor, and found his true passion. He taught plumbing at Northeast Metro Technical Vocational High School in Wakefield, MA, for 20 years before retiring in 2013. Previously he was an instructor at Nashoba Valley Regional Technical High School in Westford, MA, for 11 years. Dave touched the lives of countless students over the years. Known as “Mac” by students, he always saw the best in students, encouraging them with his kind words and fatherly advice.

All about his family, through the years Dave coached youth baseball and youth soccer for his children and grandchildren. Dave was a very sociable and venturesome man. He enjoyed gathering with loved ones and laughing with friends.

He enjoyed sports, traveling, motorcycles, and reading. He also loved nature, going camping, and was quite the history buff.

Besides his wife Margaret, he is survived by a daughter, Meghan H. Fleming and her husband Kevin of Manchester, NH; three sons, David K. McDonald and his wife Cindy of Lowell, MA, Carey T. McDonald and his wife Shelley of Dracut, MA, and Timothy J. McDonald and his wife Jennifer of Tyngsborough, MA; and 7 grandchildren, Samantha McDonald and her fiancé Jarrod Borrelli, Kylie Lambert, Nicholas Lambert, Jolene McDonald, Jacey Hebert, Hanna and her husband Stephen Balcher, and Jillian McDonald.

He was the brother of the late Joan (McDonald) O’Brien, her husband Dr. Arnold O’Brien, his nephew Robby and his wife Kathy O’Brien, and niece Susan and her husband Lucas Guarino plus many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and colleagues.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Memorial Visitation to be held on Thursday, July 17, 2025, at the O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME 276 PAWTUCKET ST. in LOWELL from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. E-condolences/directions at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Those wishing may make contributions in his memory to American Heart Association at www.heart.org. Arrangements by Funeral Director James F. O'Donnell, Jr (978) 458-8768.

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