McDonald, Donald J.

Donald J, McDonald

51 Ranney Drive

Fairport, NY

On December 7, Don died at home in Fairport, aged 77. He was the youngest son of Joesph and Lorraine (Gottschalk) McDonald and is survived by his wife, Sheila Hosenfeld (Mulroy). Other survivors include brother Richard (Joyce Adams), sisters Ann (Roger Christian) and Mary Jo (the late Terry Dummer), stepson Christopher Hosenfeld (Jamila El Ouahabi), grandsons Andrew and Louis Hosenfeld, and several cousins, nieces and nephews, especially Matt McDonald.

“Death leaves a hole that no one can heal; love leaves a memory no one can steal.” (Irish toast)

Don had an irresistible urge to tell stories. The world of Rush, NY. where he grew up, formed a solid base of material and as years passed that base grew to rival any sitcom. Many stories were true but hard to believe, others the opposite. All were entertaining. In the words of a good friend, “I just picture Don sitting next to St. Peter, making him laugh.”

More grist for his stories came from his career in monument sales, not to mention his many years running the Rush Hotel. At his retirement, he was the co-owner of Affordable Monuments in Batavia, NY.

Don loved classical music, food, dogs and sports. In Rush he started for both Rush-Henrietta Section V baseball championship teams and town teams. And he stayed a Yankee fan for life, with NFL football, hockey and golf not far behind.

Though private, his faith was vital to him. He prayed every day for the specific intentions of all his family and any friend in need. Many of those friends were from the Rochester JCC, where he mixed a bit of walking with lots of talking until Covid changed all our lives.

There will be no calling hours or memorial service although Mass Cards are most welcome. Don was a parishioner at the Church of the Resurrection in Fairport, but prayers from anywhere will be appreciated.