Roger McDonald

Roger McDonald was taken home to his Saviour Jesus Christ on July 15, 2023 after many years of courageously battling respiratory disease and cancer.

Roger was born in Fitchburg on August 5, 1939. His mother, deceased 2012, was Aldea (Vachon) McDonald. His father was Raymond McDonald, deceased 1965. Roger had one sibling, a sister, Mona Fiore. Mona also fought a very courageous battle with cancer until she was called home in 2012.

Roger proudly served his country from 1957 until 1961 as an aircraft electrician for the United States Air Force stationed in Riverside CA. Upon his return from service, he began working for the General Electric Company in Fitchburg, MA as a project planner and then as a purchasing agent. In 1978 he began working for Ranor Inc in Westminster, MA  as their purchasing manager until his retirement in 2000. They lived in Fitchburg until 1979 then moved to Westminster, MA where they lived until 2012 before moving to Phillipston MA. too  live with his son Michael.

Roger married Janet Espie in 1964 and they had two children, Shawn and Michael. Shawn was taken home to Jesus in 1974 at age nineafter a drowning accident. Roger cared deeply and selflessly for his family and was at Janet’s side through 47 years of marriage as Janet endured several chronic health issues throughout her life and was called home in 2011.Michael and his wife, Rhonda live in Phillipston and have a son Benjamin McDonald and two daughters, Lindsey (McDonald) Glasson and Niya McDonald. Roger also had five great-grandchildren, Madilyn, Ellia, Cooper, Callie Glasson and Blake McDonald.Benjamin, his wife Brianna and their daughter Blakereside in Ashburnham. Lindsey, her husband Timothy and their children reside in Phillipston. Roger also leaves his nieces ,Stephanie Fiore, Michele Sepulveda, Erin Underhill and Kristen Bilodeau and his nephews Matthew and Ian Espie.

Roger enjoyed spending time with his family and was very passionate about his love of classic cars. Roger and Michael were best friends and thoroughly enjoyed building classic cars and working in their garage for many years. Michael retired in 2020 and spent most every day with Roger “playing” in the garage. Roger was a “jack of all trades” and throughout his life never hesitated to tackle a project whether it was automotive, welding, fabricating, machining, carpentry, electrical or other type of project. His approach was “somebody put it together, we should be able to take it apart and fix it”.He had a keen mind for creating and fixing pretty much anything and was an excellentteacher, coach and mentor.

Roger was also a compassionate and loyal friend. Many of his friends would stop by the garage and visit with him. As his health deteriorated in the last few months his friends continued to spend time with him and this lifted his spirits and filled his heart more than they could ever know. During this time, as he was enduring his own health struggles, he frequently talked about the health issues and heartaches his family and friends were experiencing and was very compassionate and empathetic.

Roger will be greatly missed by all who have had the pleasure of knowing him. His example of character, compassion and sincerity has been passed on tomany and will continue for generations to come.

There will be a celebration of his life to be held at a later time to be announced.

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