LINK to livestream of funeral mass

Clicking on the LINK (above) will bring you to the funeral home's facebook page, sign-in is NOT required.  A live-stream of the funeral mass will begin a few minutes before Thursday, Dec 4th at 1pm.

Ronald J. MacDonald, “Red” and "Mac", a lifelong resident of Burlington, MA, passed away November 21, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Boston on March 31, 1937, Ron was the son of the late Joseph C. and Mary Jane (MacGillivray) MacDonald.

Ron grew up in Burlington and was educated in the town’s school system, graduating from Burlington High School in 1955. Shortly after, he began what became a memorable chapter of his life as an inbound mail courier for North East and then Delta Airlines.   His career spanned over 50 years and he was proud of the fact he never once called in sick.

It was there, on the tarmac, driving his mail truck, he saw a stewardess, Joanne LaPorta walking from an airplane to the terminal and stopped to offer her a warm ride.  During that ride he summoned the courage to ask her to dinner and a movie.  Much to his surprise, she said yes.   Over the years, he would retell that story, adding "You know, if Joanne didn't accept that ride, we wouldn't all be here today".

A gentleman in every sense of the word, Ron treated everyone with respect and never held a grudge. He took the good with the bad in life and never complained when things were difficult or did not go his way.

Ron wore a jacket and tie every day and carried himself with the grace of someone who believed deeply in miracles. He enjoyed eating at nice restaurants, going to the movies and attending daily church services.

 He loved storytelling, especially the miracles of the saints and scary ghost stories. His quick wit and wonderful sense of humor made him a natural entertainer among friends and family.

His love of old movies is evident in the fact he collected hundreds, if not thousands of VHS and DVDs.  One of his favorite actors is Charlton Heston whom he believed he looked like.  He never went visiting family without his "case of movies" and there was never a visit where he didn't say at some point, "Anyone want to watch a movie?"

Around Burlington, Ron was a familiar and friendly presence. Neighbors and townspeople often spotted him driving his old Mercedes Benz on his way to daily Mass, Bickfords, “Sammies,” his favorite sandwich shop and weekly family visits.

He also had favorite restaurants near the ocean, and once rescued a baby seagull, caring for it at home for a week, feeding it fresh seafood from a local Chinese restaurant before releasing it back to the shore. Other favorite spots were Jimmy's Steer House in Arlington, Cafe Escadrille, and in recent years, Season 52 in Burlington.

Ron cherished his summers in Antigonish, Nova Scotia at the "Cape House."   He always referred to it as getting away from the heat of Massachusetts.   During the year he would travel to Disneyland in California or Disney World in Orlando.  His favorite rides being The Pirates of the Caribbean and The Haunted Mansion.  He had no problem spending all day going back and forth between those 2 rides!

Every year in early December, rain, shine or winter snowstorm, weather did not get in the way of going out for a "good" meal, he would host a family “Christmas Dinner”.   Always a memorable gathering for his family.  Everyone was invited, Watkins, Flynns, Giles and MacDonalds. These celebrations, full of laughter, warmth, and togetherness, remain treasured memories for all who attended.

Ron was predeceased by his siblings, Margaret Watkins, Joseph C. MacDonald and brother-in-law Joseph Flynn.

Ron is survived by his wife, Joanne (LaPorta) MacDonald, of Nashua, NH., his children, Christine Ruonala and her husband Ronald of Nashua, NH., Karen McClintick and her husband Peter of Merrimack, NH., William MacDonald and his wife Sharon of Nashua, NH., and Eve MacDonald of Nahua, NH., his sister Nancy Flynn of Woburn, brother in law Bob Watkins of Burlington and sister in law Theresa MacDonald of Nova Scotia.  He was Grandaddy Red to five grandchildren, Andrew McClintick and his wife Anna, Brittany Talbot and her husband Jarryd, Matthew MacDonald, Ryan MacDonald, Rachel MacDonald, great grandchildren, Bradley, Nathan, Cameron, Blake and Madison, he was Uncle Ronnie to many nieces and nephews in Massachusetts, NH and Nova Scotia and Ron to his very good friend Bob Gonet.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend his visiting hours on Thursday, December 4th from 11Am-12:30Pm at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St. Burlington. His Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will follow the visitation at 1PM at St. Margaret Church in St. Veronica Parish, www.stveronicama.org, 111 Winn Street, Burlington. Burial will be private and at the convenience of his family at a later date. For online guestbook and video tribute please visit www.sullivanfunralhome.net