Obituary of Richard Edward McDonald

After a long struggle with illness, Richard E. (Mickey; Dick) McDonald of 104 Park Place, Bath, NY, went home to be with his Lord and Savior On Monday November 5, 2018.    Born in Syracuse, NY on January 21, 1934, the son of Edward and Sophie(Balen) McDonald, Dick grew up in Elmira Southside, graduating from Southside High School in 1953.  He joined the Navy reserves in High School and saw active duty as a Seabee during the Korean War.  Eventually he moved to Bath and worked until his retirement in 1994 on a survey crew for DOT in Hornell, NY. 

Dick leaves behind his wife, soul mate and best friend Kathleen ( Caprarulo, Francis) McDonald and a large family.  Children: Karen (Larry) Brown; Richard (Brenda Cody) McDonald; Theresa (Russell) Cody; Diane (Mark) Lieberman; Robert McDonald; Laurie McDonald (Ron Kingsbury); Step children: Michael (Dawn Kavenaugh) Francis; Rebecca (Patrick) Diette; Melissa(Greg) Faron; and Justin(Bridget Berry) Francis.  Twenty-seven wonderful grandchildren as well as eight delightful great grandchildren, all of whom brought him great joy and pride.  He loved children and remained a child at heart to his last breath.

He is pre-deceased by his parents; two sisters: Betty Drake, Edna Malloney; one brother: Edward  McDonald.  He leaves behind two sisters: Mary Ann Kianka of Syracuse; Dorothy(Konrad) Ostroski; two brothers: Joseph(Pat)McDonald; Daniel (Jeanne) McDonald all of Elmira, along with numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and beyond.  He also has five living god-children: Mary(McDonald) Comstock; Donny Drake; JJ Kianka; Anthony McDonald and Oscar Faron.  He was a true role-model who brought great joy and much laughter to all of his family and friends.

Richard loved to study Scripture and attended many conferences and classes with his wife, Kathy.  He was a prayer warrior and a Barnabas (encourager) to all. He belonged to the St. Mary's Charismatic Prayer Group for many years.  He attended church regularly and was a Eucharistic Minister. He loved bike riding, cars, solving puzzles, gardening and football: an avid Buffalo Bills fan.

His family would like to thank the Doctors, nurses and aides at the Bath VA Palliative Care Unit for the wonderful care and love they gave to Dick in the last few months of his life.  We are forever grateful.

His funeral arrangements are as follows: St. Joseph's Church in Campbell NY will be open at 9 O'clock Tuesday, November 13th with a funeral mass to follow at 9:30.  Interment with military honors will follow at The  Bath National Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to St. Joseph's Church, Campbell, NY; Food for the Poor (www.FoodForThePoor.org)  or Journey Home, 994 Long Pond Road, Rochester, NY 14626.  Masses would also be appreciated.