Ret. U.S. Navy Commander Michael J. Macdonald, III 73, of Haverhill passed away Sunday, July 6 at the Merrimack Valley Hospice House in Haverhill.
He was born in Medford on Aug. 16, 1940, son of the late Michael J. Macdonald, Jr. and Dorothy (Cummings) Macdonald. Michael was a proud graduate of Winchester High School, class of 1958 and Bates College, class of 1962. He attended the Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI and was a Vietnam veteran. After 26 years of service, Michael retired as Commander in the U.S. Navy.
Michael was a member of the Haverhill Exchange Club, the Sounds of Aloha Barbershop Chorus in Hawaii, and was president of the Haverhill Foundation for Excellence in Education. He competed in three Iron Man Triathlons and numerous marathons including the Honolulu Marathon, and was a second degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do
He is survived by his sons Michael John Macdonald, IV and his wife Karen of Phoenix, AZ and Christopher D. Macdonald of Aiea, Hawaii, daughter Natalie M. Macdonald of Haverhill, MA, brothers Alan G. and his wife Jane of Winchester, Thomas P. and his wife Jamie of Jarrettsville, MD, four grandchildren Cassandra, Madeline, Shannon and Michelle, as well as several nieces and nephews. He was also the brother of the late Susan M., Ronald A., Gregory C. and Brian S. Macdonald.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the visitation on Friday, July 11 from 9-11 a.m. at the H.L. Farmer & Sons Funeral Home, 106 Summer St. Haverhill. A memorial service will follow at 11:15 a.m. at the funeral home. Contributions in his memory may be made to the Haverhill Exchange Club, PO Box 543, Haverhill, MA 01831 or to the Calvary Chapel North Shore, 352 Andover St. Danvers, MA 01923.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the visitation on Friday, July 11 from 9-11 a.m. at the H.L. Farmer & Sons Funeral Home, 106 Summer St. Haverhill. A memorial service will follow at 11:15 a.m. at the funeral home. A memorial service will follow the visitation on Friday, July 11 at 11:15 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be private.