Brother John J. McDonald C.F.X.
October 29, 1942 ~ March 11, 2026
Born in:
New York, New York
Resided in:
Venice, Florida
Brother John J. McDonald, C.F.X., a member of the Congregation of the Brothers of Saint Francis Xavier for sixty-five years and a lifelong educator and missionary, died peacefully on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at Sarasota Memorial Hospital in Venice, Florida. He was 83.
Born in New York on October 29, 1942, he was the son of the late John and Marie (Clarkson) McDonald and was raised and educated in Westchester County. He was a graduate of Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains, Class of 1960.
Answering the call to religious life, he entered the Xaverian Brothers following graduation and on September 8, 1960 received the holy habit and the religious name Brother Peter. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from The Catholic University of America in 1966 and later completed master’s degrees at Fairleigh Dickinson University and Assumption College.
Brother John began his ministry in 1966 at St. Joseph Regional High School in Montvale, New Jersey. In 1970 he embarked on missionary service in Africa, joining the Xaverian missions and teaching at Kenyatta College in Nairobi, Kenya. Returning to the United States in 1975, he taught at St. John’s High School in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts.
Soon after, he returned to Nairobi to serve in the Catholic Secretariat, where he became especially devoted to the education and formation of women religious throughout the diocese. His work there left a lasting impact on many communities of sisters and educators.
Brother John returned to the United States in 1980, teaching for one year again at St. Joseph Regional High School in Montvale. He then served for five years as Director of Vocations for the Xaverian Brothers at their headquarters in Milton, Massachusetts.
From 1986 until 2005 he taught at Xavier High School in Middletown, Connecticut. Afterward he spent several years teaching at Malden Catholic High School.
In 2011, Brother John moved to Venice, Florida, where he served as Director of the Xaverian Brothers Residence until the time of his passing. In that role he excelled at hospitality, ensuring that brothers and guests visiting for rest and renewal felt welcomed and cared for. Known for his warmth and generosity, he was especially remembered as a wonderful host and an excellent cook, creating a home where visiting brothers could recharge before returning to their ministries.
Brother John is survived by his sisters, Mary Jo Patucco and Patricia Wargochi, along with several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Thomas McDonald, and his sister, Kathleen Weber.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. in the Chapel of St. John’s Preparatory School, 72 Spring Street, Danvers. Burial will follow in the Xaverian Brothers Cemetery. Visiting hours will be held in the chapel Saturday morning from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in Brother John’s memory may be made to the Xaverian Brothers Retirement Fund, 4409 Frederick Avenue, Baltimore, MD, 21229. Funeral arrangements are by C.R. Lyons & Sons Funeral Directors, Danvers. To share a message of sympathy, please visit www.LyonsFuneral.com.
Services
Visitation: Saturday, March 21, 2026 9:30 am - 10:15 am
Saint John's Preparatory School Chapel (Admin. Bldg.)
72 Spring St
Danvers, MA 1923
https://www.stjohnsprep.org
Funeral Mass: Saturday, March 21, 2026 10:30 am
Saint John's Preparatory School Chapel (Admin. Bldg.)
72 Spring St
Danvers, MA 1923
https://www.stjohnsprep.org
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I did not know this brother but every time I see notice of one of the brothers passing I am reminded of my four years at St. John’s, Prep from 1956 to 1960. All of my teachers every one of them was a vested habited Xaverian Brother they were the most wonderful teachers, and totally generous in their lives, devoted to us. So the passing of this good brother, reminds me of how fortunate I was, and my gratitude will never stop.