Mr. Edsel R. MacDonald, age 74, of East Billerica passed away on January 14th, at the Wingate at Reading Nursing Facility following a lengthy illness. He was the Beloved husband for fifty years of Natalie M. (Bornstein) MacDonald. Born in Boston he was the son of the late John and Ivy (Lively) MacDonald.
Mr. MacDonald was raised and educated in Charlestown. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and honorably served as a Paratrooper with the 101st Airborne Division. He proudly served from 1956 to 1959 and was released from his reserve duty in 1963. In 1961, shortly after his return home, he married the love of his life, Natalie M. Bornstein, at a ceremony held at St. William Church in Dorchester. He worked for many years managing garages and parking facilities in Boston. He later went to work as baker with Dunkin Donuts in Somerville for several years. He also worked for a period of time as a licensed barber in Cambridge and at the Boston Army Base. In more recent years prior to his retirement he worked as a truck driver for Lilly Trucking, driving short and long hauls up and down the east coast as well as cross country trips. He was a member of the Teamsters Union Local 25 of Boston. Mr. MacDonald was extremely proud of his Scottish heritage. In his leisure time he enjoyed being outdoors fishing and hunting. He loved caring for his cats and was very fond of his cat "Mikey". He also enjoyed trips to Foxwoods Casino, Rockingham Race Track, and Atlantic City. He was an active and devoted member of the Heritage Park Baptist Church in Burlington.
In addition to his beloved wife, he is survived by his sisters, Shirley Foxworth of Charlestown and Jeaneene Lennon of Groveland. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his brother, the late Brendan B.J. MacDonald, and sister, the late Gail Dehmer.
Funeral services and interment will be private. It has been requested that memorial contributions may be made in Edsel's memory to the E.N. Rogers Veterans Hospital, 200 Spring Road, Bedford, MA 01730. Arrangements by the Dello Russo Funeral Service of Wilmington.