Obituary of Thomas McDonald

Thomas J. McDonald led a life of dedication to his career, his passions, and above all his family. Tom was born and raised in Lynn, Massachusetts. After graduating from high School he served in the Army as a Paratrooper in Viet Nam. He returned home and continued his education. He earned a B.S. in Zoology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and then earned his Masters and PHD in Fetal Physiology from Cornell. He then spent 33 more years at Cornell as a researcher specializing in Fetal Physiology. His accomplishments have been recognized through media outlets such as, Science Magazine and The New York Times. He has been widely published in scientific and medical journals. He has travelled the world lecturing on the findings of his research. After his retirement from Cornell, he worked at New York University and then moved with Marie to San Antonio where he finished out his career at the University of Texas. He was passionate about his research and confident that his findings would help in future knowledge in pregnancy and newborn development. Just as in his work, Tom was passionate about all interest and activities. Tom did not just swim, bike, or jog- he was a tri-athlete. He set and achieved his goals and won several competitions first in his class. All while wearing neon! Camping was also a great passion of his; the Adirondacks proved to be the rustic, remote, challenge he loved. All he would need was his flint stone, compass, canoe, a little Yukon Jack, Meezie, and any willing family member or friend. Tom got extreme pleasure in dancing, be it disco, line, and especially ballroom dancing with his wife. He loved to read and would often joke that his favorite book was the dictionary. Tom loved his family immensely. He met his wife Marie in 1966 while at North Shore Community College. They fell in love and were married in 1968 while Tom was at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. They raised 3 intelligent, creative, and loyal children in Mark, Hedy, and Jill. Their dreams became complete with the birth of their grandchildren Olivia and Sylas. They shared 45 loving years together as husband and wife and best friends raising a family, embracing life, and seeing the world. Tommy, you will be missed by all those you have touched. He was the loving husband of Marie (George) for 45 wonderful years. Adoring father of Mark McDonald & his wife Christine of NC, Hedy McDonald & her husband Earl Bass of FL, and Jill McDonald & her companion Jason Garza of TX. Son of Ruth (Doran) McDonald and the late Daniel McDonald of Nahant, MA. Devoted brother of Lois White of Peabody, MA and Jeanne Buckley of Nahant, MA. Proud and loving grandfather of Olivia Bass and Sylas Garza. Also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Funeral services will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON, MA on Wednesday, June 19 at 11 a.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Visiting hours Tuesday from 4-7 p.m. Interment will be private. Memorials in Tom’s name may sent to Karen Moore, University of Texas Health and Science Center, San Antonio, TX payable to Center for Pregnancy and Newborn Research, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, MSC 7836, San Antonio, TX 78229. For directions, obituary & online guestbook see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net