Edward W. McDonald

Edward McDonald, 90, of Peabody, MA passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on February 23rd. Ed was born in Beverly, Massachusetts on February 13, 1934. He grew up in the Ryal Side neighborhood of Beverly, where he enjoyed swimming in the Bass River, playing baseball, flying kites on top of the hill, and attending church at St. Mary’s. Ed’s first job was with the Beverly Evening Times as a newspaper boy; during high school, Ed enjoyed working as a “soda jerk” for McCall’s Pharmacy; his favorite childhood job was as a caddy for the Beverly Country Club. It was there that he began his lifelong passion for golf. A Beverly High School graduate, Ed went on to Teachers College (now Salem State University) to earn his degree in Elementary Education. His first teaching job was at Winthrop Elementary School in Ipswich, where he met his first wife, Judith (Wanzer) McDonald, at a PTA meeting (a matchmaking arrangement facilitated by his colleague who had also been Judith’s second grade teacher). After marrying Judith in 1959, Ed and his new family moved to Monroe, New York where Ed earned his M.A. at Seton Hall and then transitioned into an administrator position in the Monroe school district. In 1968, Ed and his family returned to the North Shore where he was hired as the principal of Beadle Elementary School for the Beverly School District. Ed was a progressive and hands on principal, often seen teaching and reading to students in classrooms. His commitment to his students, teachers, and staff remained steadfast. Additionally, he worked as a security guard at Rockingham Horse Race Track and Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant during the summers and on the weekends. During this period, Ed and Judy moved from Beverly to Georgetown where they raised four children. Ed enjoyed taking summer vacations with Judith and their children to New Hampshire and Cape Cod, and winter vacations skiing in New Hampshire. Above all, it was day trips to Long Beach in Gloucester, which Ed enjoyed most with his family where he taught his children how to body surf. Later in life, Ed enjoyed cross country skiing with Judith. Ed was a very engaged parent, coaching little league teams, attending sporting events and high school band concerts, and volunteering at the annual Ski Swap. Ed was an active member of the Kiwanis Club, the Band Parents Association, the PTA, and the Cub Scouts. Ed was also a member of the Vestry at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Newburyport. After Judith’s passing in 1988, Ed married a fellow educator, Deidre McDonald in 1992. Ed retired in 1997 while Deidre continued working at the Danvers Public School District. Ed spent his leisure time golfing in men’s leagues in the Wenham Country Club or bowling in a men’s league in Peabody. Ed and Deidre spent their summers traveling to Europe and in later years, traveling throughout New England, including his favorite train trips to Kennebunkport, Maine and ferry trips to Marth’s Vineyard. Ed’s love for history and sports remained with him his entire life. On their travels, Ed’s favorite moments were when he was learning about history. Ed was particularly moved by his trip to Normandy. In 2017, while visiting St. Maarten Island with Deidre and their friends, Ed survived a category 5 hurricane (Irma) for three days with no running water and electricity. Upon being airlifted by the National Guard, Ed exclaimed, “I’m so excited. I’ve never flown in a military plane before!” At home, Ed enjoyed completing crossword puzzles, reading the Boston Globe, and talking about history and politics with his children and grandchildren. Ed loved clicking to NESN to watch the Red Sox, his lifelong passion. In 2004, when the Red Sox finally won the World Series, Ed confessed to his children that he “actually cried”. Ed was also an avid Patriots fan, his devotion to watching the games every Sunday matching that of a fervent churchgoer. Above all else, Ed enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. Their happiness brought him tremendous joy. Ed spent his last five years fighting a valiant battle with kidney disease without complaint. He received dialysis treatment at Frensius Kidney Care where he was treated with dignity by the staff. Ed was preceded by death by his first wife, Judith McDonald, his parents, Thomas and Sarah McDonald, his brother, Thomas II, and his sister, Mary McDonald. Ed is survived by his wife, Deidre McDonald, his children, Michael McDonald (Kande Culver), Gregory McDonald (Roberta), David McDonald (Chyllene), and Caren McDonald (Isobel White), and his seven grandchildren, Kelsey Aramburu, Meghan McDonald, Bridget McDonald, Maura McDonald, Norrie White, Naomi McDonald, and Eliot McDonald, and his brother-in-law, Kevin Thomas. Ed’s funeral service will be Friday, March 1, 2024 at 11:30AM in C.R. Lyons & Sons Funeral Directors, 28 Elm St., Danvers. Visitation will be prior to the service beginning at 10AM. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ed’s memory to Haven from Hunger, 71 Wallis St., Peabody, MA 01960, Friends of the Peabody Council on Aging, 75R Central St., Peabody, MA 01960 and St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis TN 38105. Guestbook at www.LyonsFuneral.com.