Jim (Ronald James) MacDonald
June 15, 1941 - February 4, 2021
Jim MacDonald passed away on Thursday, February 4, 2021, just a stone’s throw from where he was born, in his hometown of Exeter, at Jessica’s House Residential Hospice in his 80th year.
Jim is finally reunited with his beloved wife Andrea who predeceased him in 1996. Jim made life interesting for everyone and his shenanigans and one liners will be missed especially by his three daughters: Rebecca, Jennie and Amanda and their husbands, ‘the boys’; Ted McConnell, Frank Schimanski and Brian O’Neil; his grandchildren Ami and Tim Hendry, Emma and Chris Petrie, Elli and Kevin Stenson, Dylan and Elyse McConnell, Jake O’Neil and Danielle, Mitchell McConnell, Joe O’Neil and Taylor, and Grace McConnell. Left to hear crazy stories of great grandpa are Harlynn, Joel, James, Henry and Ava. Jim will also be missed by his sister-in-law Brenda and John Cummings, his sisters Lorraine Eagleson and Maxine Lamont, his nephew Tony MacDonald, and many more nieces and nephews.
Jim was born on June 15, 1941, the youngest child in the MacDonald home with his siblings Florence, Lillian, Bud, Mary, Maxine, Winona, Lorraine, Ted and Don. He spent a good part of the next 79 years fishing, hunting and playing all sports, excelling at hockey and baseball. While roller-skating in Grand Bend he met the love of his life, Andrea Graham. Jim would often walk all the way from Exeter to London, to take Andrea out on a date. Jim and Andrea married in 1964 and started their family soon after. They eventually settled on Centre Crescent in London where they made lifelong friends as part of the infamous Crescent Crew.
As a young boy, Jim worked as a “rink rat” at the Exeter arena, and then as a driver for Tuckey Beverages in Exeter, where he delivered Pepsi to many small villages across Huron County. Jim eventually carved out a career in construction, as a hoisting engineer and heavy equipment operator working with his father-in-law Angus, with Graham and Graham Construction, and then with McDowell Construction, that took him north to work where Andrea and the girls would join him for many wonderful summers. Eventually his love of snowplowing led him to a job with the road works department in Lobo Township.
In 1979, Jim and Andrea moved to their farm “Woodburn” in Lobo Township, where more great memories were made. Jim was a Past Master of St. John’s Lodge No. 20 A.F.&A.M. Jim and Andrea would host many events at Woodburn, including the lodge barbeque, where he would usually win the horseshoe tournament. When Jim retired, he moved to a quiet spot along Lake Kagawong on Manitoulan Island, where he could fish, hunt, cut wood, and fix everything he broke all day long.
Due to COVID-19 protocols, a private family graveside service was held at Nairn Cemetery in North Middlesex officiated by Reverend Darrell Shaule.
Those wishing to make a donation in memory of Jim, are asked to consider Jessica’s House Residential Hospice or SARI.
Leave a tribute for Jim (Ronald James) MacDonald
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Our thoughts and pryers are with you.
With deepest sympathy. Sheana, David, Eachunn & Kieran
(Donated to SARI)
My warmest condolences; I am sorry for your loss.
Becky, Jenny, Amanda, Klouse Bosley and I were saddened to hear of that your father passed away.
Mr. MacDonald was a large part of our lives growing up in Job's Daughters. Love from The Ingrams
Our deepest sympathy Becky, Jennie and Amanda.
Thinking of you
Dear Macdonald Family Members And Friends;On Behalf of all our current family we would truly like to express our heartfelt sincere condolences to each one of you on the recent passing of a true loved citizen and humanitarian to friends and fanily alike through his humanitarian work for St.Johns Lodge through his efforts to make our modern world a better place for each one of us okay.May each one of you look forward with a bright smile on your faces as you continue to pursue your individual careers and personal lives with likewise your heads held high and a smiles abound for the lessons taught to you by both of your parents to sustain your lives okay under Gods guidance and understanding.Yours sincerely Brian and Mary Cross,Harry and Darlene TenHaaff and family London,Ontario,Brenda and Doug Martin Scarborough,Ontario.
Dear Macdonald Family, on behalf of the Hamilton Family I would like to extend our condolences. Growing up beside the Macdonald family brings back a lot of great memories. Jim was always puttering around with something, fixing vehicles, boat motors or fishing equipment. Jim would take me along on his fishing outings or just a ride up to Exeter to hangout at Newby Tire for a couple hours. Our thoughts. and memories are with you all. Paul and Gina Hamilton
Becky, Jennie, Amanda & families, Our sincere condolences to everyone at this sad and difficult time.
Dear Becky and Ted. Sorry to hear of the passing of your father and father-in-law.I have wonderful memories of a family Christmas at Woodburn.Your prievice co-worker at St Joe's hospital Chris Magierowski. If you wish to contact me in the future feel free.E-mail Chris.mag@hotmail.com or 519-453-5992.
Amanda, Brian and Family, We offer you our sincere condolences. Jim was a great man and entertainer. He left his mark on the world and is missed by many. Gary & Geraldine Parsons
Beccy, Jennie, Mandy and the Boys, sorry to read the news of your Dad's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Remembering all the good times we had a few years ago with your Dad (and Mom) and you girls as little people. RIP Jim Wayne and Sonia Greb
Our sympathy to Becky, Jennie, Amanda and their family. A lot of memories growing up with Jim and being part of Jim and Andy’s life.
I would like to offer my condolences to the MacDonald family. I first met Jim at a horseshoe tournament at Woodburn farm. He was the entertainment! When our townships amalgamated we worked together at Middlesex Centre. He sure enjoyed the John Deere grader whether he was grading or snow plowing. He had an endless supply of one liners! My condolences to all the family.
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