Maurice B. MacDonald, Sr., 74, of Derry, NH died September 19, 2006 at Parkland Medical Center. He was born in Derry on October 9, 1931, the son of Edgar F. and Gladys (Young) MacDonald. He attended Derry and Chester public schools and was a 1949 graduate of Pinkerton Academy, where he was active in all school activities. A veteran state legislator and legislative leader, he had devoted most of his adult life to public service in Concord, Laconia and Derry.
He was employed for 21 years as manager of the N.H. Hospital Patio Shop in Concord. While residing in Concord, Mr. MacDonald was active and a leader in many civic organizations, including President of the Rumford School PTO, the Greater Concord Mental Health Association, Dollars for Scholars, the Concord Bicentennial Committee and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He was elected four times to the New Hampshire House of Representatives from Concord’s Ward 6. He served as Chairman and Vice-Chair of many House Committees during his tenure in the 60’s and 70’s. He served as Chairman of the Ward 6 Republican Committee, vice chairman of the Merrimack County Committee and during his years in Concord, Laconia and Derry served many years on the State Republican Committee. Mr. Macdonald also was a member of the Concord City Council and a delegate to the N.H. Constitutional Convention in 1964 from Concord and 1974 from Laconia.
In 1972, Maurice relocated to Laconia, where he was employed by the IGA Foodliner later serving as General Manager of its Laconia and Milford supermarkets. Retiring to Derry, he was elected to three terms in the N.H. House, again serving as Vice Chair of major House Committees. In Derry, he was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, where he served as Chaplain, on the Board of Trustees and President. He was also a member of the Sons of the American Legion in Derry. He was a 50-year plus member of the Chester grange, receiving the Golden Sheaf Award.
Members of his family include two daughters, Susan A. MacDonald-Tardiff of Manchester, NH and Cynthia A. Dwyer of Ft. Myers, FL; two sons, Maurice B. MacDonald Jr. of Anchorage, AK and Richard A. MacDonald of Ft. Myers, FL; three brothers, Harlan and Roland MacDonald of Derry and Kenneth MacDonald of Bedford, VA; a sister, Phyllis G. Patten of Louisville, KY. He is further survived by grandchildren, Paul David Tardiff of Manchester, Michael Dwyer Jr. of Laconia, Jennifer Purdy of Franklin, NH, Maurice B. MacDonald III of Ft. Myers, FL, Marcus Tardiff and Mary Elizabeth Tardiff, both of Manchester; nieces, nephews including Wayne D. MacDonald of Londonderry, NH and cousins.
There were no calling hours. Following cremation, a memorial service was held on Saturday, September 23rd at 1 PM in the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 15 Birch St., Derry. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Pinkerton Academy Alumni Fund, 5 Pinkerton St., Derry, NH 03038.