Obituary for Charles J. McDonald
Charles J. McDonald, (84) of Williston and formerly Stanhope, New Jersey, passed away at the McClure Miller Respite House on March 6, 2023, following a long illness. He spent his last days surrounded by adoring family.
Fondly known as Joe, he was born in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania on July 9, 1938, to Helen and Joseph McDonald. Joe was a talented athlete who loved playing baseball, basketball, and football. Following graduation, he enlisted in the US Army and served as a radar instructor. Later, he began a 40+ year career as an electronic technician at Picatinny Arsenal in Wharton, NJ. He retired in 1996.
Joe is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Elizabeth, his son Joe and wife Lissa of Essex, Vermont, son Tom and wife Mai of Cape Elizabeth, Maine, brother-in-law Steve Kozup and wife Sue of McGaheysville, Virginia, cousin Margaret of Pennsylvania, and nieces Sarah of Virginia, Jill of Missouri, and Gina of California.
Joe was a dedicated father who coached his sons in little league, basketball, and football in the Stanhope, New Jersey area. Joe and Betty followed their sons’ college football careers as they played for the University of Maine Black Bears, traveling to every game, home and away. He was well known in South Burlington as the vociferous man behind the camera as he filmed South Burlington High School football games for 25 years. Joe shared his love of sports, dirt bikes, motorcycles, and cars with his sons. They taught him to ski at age 50 so they could continue to be active as a family and spend quality time together. Joe and Betty packed up their truck and RV and traveled from Vermont to California for 17 years in a row to spend winter months with their son Tom and his wife Mai. They enjoyed traveling, site seeing, and exploring areas from the northeast to the west coast. He also adored his cairn terrier, Ozzie who made friends with everyone in their neighborhood at Williston Woods and at every rest stop, hotel, and campground from Vermont to California. Joe continued to discuss the purchase of his next best vehicle until his final days.
We invite you to share your condolences and memories of Joe at awrfh.com. A celebration of life for close family will be held at a later date. Many thanks to all staff at Thomas Chittenden Health Center and to Dr. Ahmed from the UVM Cancer Center for their excellent care. Our family would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the McClure Miller Respite House where Joe received the best of comfort, compassion, and dignity in his final days. So that other patients and families may benefit from this amazing facility, in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the McClure Miller Respite House at UVMHomeHealth.org, or send via mail to:
McClure Miller Respite House
℅ UVM Health Network- Home Health and Hospice 110 Prim Road
Colchester, VT 05446
Fondly known as Joe, he was born in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania on July 9, 1938, to Helen and Joseph McDonald. Joe was a talented athlete who loved playing baseball, basketball, and football. Following graduation, he enlisted in the US Army and served as a radar instructor. Later, he began a 40+ year career as an electronic technician at Picatinny Arsenal in Wharton, NJ. He retired in 1996.
Joe is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Elizabeth, his son Joe and wife Lissa of Essex, Vermont, son Tom and wife Mai of Cape Elizabeth, Maine, brother-in-law Steve Kozup and wife Sue of McGaheysville, Virginia, cousin Margaret of Pennsylvania, and nieces Sarah of Virginia, Jill of Missouri, and Gina of California.
Joe was a dedicated father who coached his sons in little league, basketball, and football in the Stanhope, New Jersey area. Joe and Betty followed their sons’ college football careers as they played for the University of Maine Black Bears, traveling to every game, home and away. He was well known in South Burlington as the vociferous man behind the camera as he filmed South Burlington High School football games for 25 years. Joe shared his love of sports, dirt bikes, motorcycles, and cars with his sons. They taught him to ski at age 50 so they could continue to be active as a family and spend quality time together. Joe and Betty packed up their truck and RV and traveled from Vermont to California for 17 years in a row to spend winter months with their son Tom and his wife Mai. They enjoyed traveling, site seeing, and exploring areas from the northeast to the west coast. He also adored his cairn terrier, Ozzie who made friends with everyone in their neighborhood at Williston Woods and at every rest stop, hotel, and campground from Vermont to California. Joe continued to discuss the purchase of his next best vehicle until his final days.
We invite you to share your condolences and memories of Joe at awrfh.com. A celebration of life for close family will be held at a later date. Many thanks to all staff at Thomas Chittenden Health Center and to Dr. Ahmed from the UVM Cancer Center for their excellent care. Our family would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the McClure Miller Respite House where Joe received the best of comfort, compassion, and dignity in his final days. So that other patients and families may benefit from this amazing facility, in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the McClure Miller Respite House at UVMHomeHealth.org, or send via mail to:
McClure Miller Respite House
℅ UVM Health Network- Home Health and Hospice 110 Prim Road
Colchester, VT 05446