John “Jay” Macdonald

John A. “Jay” MacDonald of Quincy died on November 10, 2010 surrounded by his family. Devoted husband of the late Virginia “Gin” K. (Garrity). Loving father of John A. Jr of Quincy, Gary M. and his spouse Frances of Winthrop MA, Clifford J. and his spouse Cynthia of Pleasanton CA and Pauline and her husband Stephen Riley of Squantum. Also survived by 10 grandchildren; John A. MacDonald III, Kristen, Douglas, Sara Belle, Gary Jr., C.J., Candice, Caitlin, Megan Ayers and Craig Riley. Great Grandfather to 4; John D, Madison, Mia and Alex Blakeman. A life long resident of Quincy, Jay was predeceased by his parents Dougald and Sarah Belle, and his siblings; Donald E and spouse Mary Aulbach, Douglas J., J. Clare Fallon and her husband John H. and Allan F. He is also survived by Allan’s widow, Stephanie. Brother in law of Eugene Garrityand his wife Edith and 15 nieces and nephews. He graduated from Quincy High in 1939, attended MIT and Northeastern Univ. where he studied electronics. A veteran of World War II, he served as a Naval flight-line mechanic at the Alameda NAS. He married Gin on the fateful day of the Coconut Grove Fire and thankfully, bridal party members were turned away due to the over capacity crowds seeking access. He began his career working for Westinghouse Corp in Boston and Los Angles and was awarded a prestigious 4 year company sponsored education at the Carnegie Mellon Institute. This award was deferred with the World War. Following the War, he began a 37 year career with New England Telephone in the plant department where he became recognized as a leader and expert in plant and station equipment management. Jay was a second generation telephone man as his father joined the company in 1892 and served 48 years in outside plant construction. His son continued this tradition until his retirement and grandchildren continue the career association today. Jay and Virginia were daily communicants at the Mary Star of the Sea Church in Squantum and most recently at The Sacred Heart Church in North Quincy. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the visiting hours on Sunday, November 14, 2-6 PM in the Keohane Funeral Home, 785 Hancock Street, QUINCY. A Celebration of Life Service will be held in the funeral home at 9:15AM on Monday prior to the Funeral Mass in Sacred Heart Church at 10 AM. Burial in Mt. Wollaston Cemetery, Quincy. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Mr. MacDonald may be made to Hospice of the South Shore, 100 Baystate Drive, Braintree, MA 02184.