Robert Edward McDonald

South Portland - Robert E McDonald, 95 of South Portland, Maine and Danvers, Massachusetts, died peacefully, July 30, 2022 at the Gosnell Hospice House in Scarborough, Maine with his beloved wife of 62 years by his side. Son of the late Michael and Nellie (Riley) McDonald and brother of Harold McDonald, Bob was born in Ipswich, Massachusetts and grew up in nearby Hamilton. He graduated from Hamilton High School in the Class of 1945 and was honored to represent Hamilton High as a citizen of Massachusetts Boys’ State 1944. Following high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy in 1945 and was honorably discharged in 1946. Bob received his undergraduate degree in Education from Boston College in the Class of 1951, and began his teaching career in 1955 at Rowley Junior High School and Salem State College Division of Continuing Education. He taught math, science, physical education, woodworking and other subjects and coached football, basketball and baseball for Rowley Schools. Advancing his career and education, he was awarded a National Science Foundation Mathematics Institute Grant from Boston College in 1963 and went on to earn his Master’s Degree in Mathematics from Boston College in 1967. Bob met Jeanann in August of 1958 when he applied for a summer job at Baird-Atomic, Inc. and they married in August 1959. In his early career, Bob taught math and other subjects in Rowley, Greenfield, and Hamilton Massachusetts junior high and high schools. In 1960, he accepted a position at Masconomet Regional High School and taught all levels of math including algebra and trigonometry for 8 years. He coached varsity tennis, junior varsity baseball, and junior high football while at Masconomet. Bob was also a ski instructor at Eaglebrook in Deerfield, Massachusetts where he had the actor Michael Douglas as a ski student. Following his passions for baseball and mathematics, Bob was hired to teach and coach at North Shore Community College in 1969. He expanded to teach all levels of math through Calculus III and became North Shore Community College baseball coach for many years. He coached and mentored John Tudor, who went on to play for the Boston Red Sox. They developed a lifelong friendship. Bob retired from teaching in 1996 and continued as a part time professor at North Shore Community College until he was well into his 80’s. In May of 2003, he was honored by North Shore Community College as Professor Emeritus. In 2014, he received a certificate of recognition for over 45 years of Seniority in the Science and Math Division of the college. Bob was an athlete who played many sports throughout his life including tennis, football, baseball and handball. He traveled to Kansas to play competitively with the Agawam Chiefs semi pro baseball team in 1951, an experience he treasured. Bob ran several miles a day in all weather for many years. He lifted weights, and continued to work out at gym and fitness centers until he was 93 years old. Even recently, he used hand weights and walked laps around his home and neighborhood for exercise. He strongly believed in being physically active and fit. He was an excellent and well-loved coach. Bob loved to spend summer days with family and friends at West Beach in Beverly Farms. He also enjoyed blueberry picking, mountain climbing, fishing, and traveling around the United States including trips to Arizona with his wife. In 2004, Bob and Jeanann began spending holiday and vacation times at their condo near the ocean in South Portland, Maine. Bob had a strong love for the beach and the sea and he loved to ride the waves. He was very social, could strike up a conversation with most anyone, and always had a joke to tell. His friends and family will always remember him for his sense of humor and ‘Dad Jokes.’ Bob is survived by his wife, Jeannann; his daughter, Robin Payton and her husband Jared; daughter, Dana McDonald Oxaal and her husband Adrian Oxaal; son, Shawn McDonald; grandson, Devin Ivy; well-loved, niece Ann McDonald; and nephew, Steve McDonald; and other nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his brother, Harold McDonald; and grandson, Ryan. A devoted Catholic and a member of St. Richard's Church in Danvers, MA for 62 years, Bob volunteered his talents and services at My Brother’s Table in Lynn, Massachusetts, Operation Rescue, and a Danvers long term care facility where he befriended and visited a resident for over 40 years. He also volunteered at St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen. Relatives and friends are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday, Sept 8, 2022 at 10 am, at St. Maximilian Kolbe, 150 Black Point Road, Scarborough, Maine. A burial will follow at Black Point Cemetery in Scarborough. To view Bob’s obituary page, or to share an online condolence, please visit www.ConroyTullyWalker.com Donations in his memory can be made to The Danvers People to People Food Pantry, www.DanversCommunityCouncil.com