Obituary of Bernard J. MacDonald

Bernard J. MacDonald, 76, Orrington, passed away peacefully September 5, 2023 in his home with his children by his side and surrounded by family and so much love after a long 4-year battle living with ALS.

Bernie attended St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Dover, NH graduating in 1965. He then went on to the Montessori St. Paul's Abbey in Newton, NJ from 1965-1969 and attended a year of college at Don Bosco.  Before 1975, he worked with two touring rock bands, Milkweed from Atlanta, GA, and Karen and the Pistons of New Haven, Ct. He had such a strong love of music and enjoyed hosting music jams and going to concerts. He was one of 500,000 people who attended Woodstock in 1969 and he had some amazing stories to tell. He moved to Brewer in 1973 and began working at Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Hospital in Bangor as a direct care provider for the next 34 years until retiring in 2009. Bernie has resided in Orrington for 28 years in his lovely log cabin by the river that he adored. He was a member of St. Teresa's Catholic Church in Brewer, and was also a dedicated member at Rocky Knoll golf course in Orrington where he met many of his close friends over the years. For 25 years he eagerly attended the men's Maine Hockey games in Orono. He enjoyed the outdoors and activities such as golf, hiking, snowmobiling, kayaking, watching sports, and spending quality time with his girlfriend, Marcia Kelson. He also loved his time visiting with dear friends out at the blueberry farms and spent so much of his time with some of his favorite family members and friends Downeast along the coast of Maine. His passion was making beautiful memories with his children, his grandson, and granddogs along with other family and many dear friends. Bernie wished to thank his wonderful hospice team that helped take great care of him throughout his fight with ALS. 

Bernie was predeceased by his mother, Jacqueline (Cyr) MacDonald and father, Richard MacDonald. Bernie was previously married to Leeanne Taylor in 1979, they had three children, Joshua MacDoanld (deceased) Hannah McCall who resides with her husband Kit in Hermon, and Benjamin MacDoanld of Los Angeles, CA who resides with his girlfriend Luba, and their son Arnie. He is survived by his siblings Duncan MacDonald and his wife Sheryl, Mary Fournier and her husband David, Karen Goldsmith, John MacDonald, and Ann Castellez.

The family invites relatives and friends to visit 2:00 - 4:30 pm Tuesday, September 12, 2023 at Kiley & Foley Funeral Service, 69 State Street, Brewer. A graveside service will immediately follow at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Ohio St, Bangor. Memorial donations may be made in his name to The ALS Association, Northern New England Chapter, 200 Friberg Parkway Suite 1000, Westborough, MA 01581or HERE Messages and memories may be shared with his family on the tribute wall of  kileyandfoley.com.