Mr. James K. MacDonald

Mr. James K. MacDonald 94, of 107 Edward Ave . died Monday February 16, 2015 at the Berkshire Medical Center. Born in New Haven, Ct. on March 15, 1920 he was the son of the late Arthur J. and Anna V. Clifford MacDonald. Upon their death he became a ward of the State of Connecticut at the age of 8, and was consigned to the Children’s Home in New Haven. When he was 12 years old, he along with his brother Thomas, were sent to live with a foster family In Norwich, CT. where he remained until he was Eighteen. He graduated from Norwich Academy in 1938. He played basketball and football. Immediately following the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served in India and Burma as a cryptographer in the battle of Cambria, and was discharged in 1946. He settled in Pittsfield where he married the former Mary B. Kelly on June 19, 1948. Jim was employed for many years by the NY-New Haven Railroad until it was bought by the NY Central Railroad. He later became employed at the former Fahey Beverage Co. in their sales dept. Jim will be remembered as a familiar figure at tag sales around the county for the past 30 years. He loved music, cooking, and watching football. James and his wife Mary loved being the home their children friends and neighbors would gather. Their home was open to anyone in need. His wife the former Mary B. Kelly died May 20, 1993. He was a communicant of Sacred Heart Church, a member of its Holy Name Society and a past Scoutmaster of Pack 20. He is survived by his daughter Patricia Ann (Paul) Duma, of Pittsfield, and three sons, James T. MacDonald, of Pittsfield, Robert J. (Shirley Sylvia) MacDonald of Dalton, MA and John P. (Colleen Mahoney ) MacDonald of Pittsfield. He also leaves to mourn his passing his six grandchildren Kimberly Shepardson, Thomas Shepardson, Kelly Bellefontaine, Kate Henderson, Marielle MacDonald and Christopher MacDonald. His beloved great grandchildren, Nicholas Scialdone, Alexis and Lily Shepardson, Brenna & Jack Bellefontaine, Maeve Henderson, and Patrick and Kevin Konefal. Jim also leaves his special niece Lois Hunt Lancia of Cheshire. He was pre-deceased by his wife Mary in 1993, a brother Thomas MacDonald and his sister Shirley Hunt, also by his loving foster sister Helen Anderson and his beloved grandson Michael B. MacDonald who died Sept. 16, 2006. FUNERAL NOTICE A private funeral service for Mr. James K. MacDonald will take place at the Dwyer Funeral Home. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Michael B. MacDonald Baseball Scholarship Fund, care of the DWYER FUNERAL HOME 776 North St. Pittsfield, MA 01201, in his memory. The scholarship is given in memory of his late grandson Michael MacDonald. DONATIONS CANNOT BE MADE ONLINE, but may be made through the Dwyer Funeral Home.

Mr. James K. MacDonald

March 15, 1920 - February 16, 2015