MacDonald, of Jensen Beach, FL formerly of Brockton,January 12, 2007, Ernest L. MacDonald, 81 years. Husband of the late Frances G. (Lapsley) MacDonald. Loving father of Susan Crawford and her husband Douglas of Wayland; Janice Ferioli and her husband Richard of E. Bridgewater; Patricia Altieri of Middleboro; Maryjane Danahy and her husband James of Duxbury; William MacDonald and his wife Jeanne of Wayland, Michael MacDonald and his wife Kathy of Fairbanks, Alaska and Ernest J. MacDonald of Brockton. “Pop” of 11 grandchildren and a great grandson. Brother of Norma Driscoll and her husband Edwin of Dorchester.
Funeral from the Conley Funeral Home, 138 Belmont Street (Rte 123) Brockton Tuesday at 8am. Funeral Mass in Our Lady of Lourdes Church at 9am. Burial in Calvary Cemetery, Brockton. Visiting Hours Monday 4-8pm. Donations in Ernie’s name may be made to the Navy UDT-Seal Museum, 3300 North A1A, North Hutchinson Island, Fort Pierce, FL 34949, for online donations click here or to the charity of one’s choice.
Obituary
Ernest L. MacDonald, 81 years, husband of the late Frances G. (Lapsley) MacDonald, died peacefully at home on January 12, 2007 surrounded by all his family. He was born and raised in Mission Hill, Roxbury. After graduating from Mission High School, he served proudly in the US Navy from 1944-1946. He was a member of the Navy Scouts and Raiders, the prototype for the Navy Seals. He served in Operation Crossroads, Bikini Island Atoll Lagoon and the Marshall Islands Atomic Bomb Tests. He served on board the USS John Powers, USS Ray Edwards, USS Bracken and USS Pickaway. In May 1945 he received a Letter of Commendation of Personnel of the USS Powers in Recognition of the Crews Heroic lifesaving efforts, saving the lives of four crew members of a sinking tug boat. He worked at the Quincy Shipyard as a machinist for both Bethlehem Steel and General Dynamics from 1952 until his retirement in 1987.
Mr. MacDonald was a high school football player and enjoyed baseball, basketball and hockey. He coached his sons in baseball and hockey and was one of the founding coaches of Brockton Youth Hockey and Cardinal Spellman High School Hockey. He was a horse lover, a founder and past president of the Brockton Area Horse Owners Association. He was active in the VFW and the American Legion.
Ernie and his dearly departed wife Frannie were married on November 26, 1949 and had seven children. They started out in marriage in Mission Hill, settled in Brockton and most recently lived in Jensen Beach, Florida. He is survived by his loving children, Susan Crawford of Wayland, Janice Ferioli of East Bridgewater, Patricia Altieri of Middleboro, Maryjane Danahy of Duxbury, William MacDonald of Wayland, Michael MacDonald of Fairbanks, Alaska, and Ernest J. MacDonald of Brockton. He was loved as “Pop” by his grandchildren, Michael, Jennifer, John, Matt, Mark, Rachael, Lucy, Sean, Megan, Nick and Lindsey, and his great grandson Anthony. He is also survived by his sister Norma Driscoll of Dorchester. He was grateful for the love and contribution to family by his sons in law Richard Ferioli, Doug Crawford and James Danahy and his daughters in law Kathy MacDonald and Jeanne MacDonald. He goes to rest with the eternal love and gratitude of his family.