Joseph A. McDonald78, West Lebanon, New Hampshire, formerly of Rumford, Maine, husband of Julie Irish McDonald, passed away June 4, 2015 in Warner, New Hampshire after a valiant battle with Alzheimer's Disease. Joe was born March 8, 1937 in Mexico, Maine to Delia (Rodrique) and John McDonald Sr.

A 1954 graduate of Mexico High School, he served in the United States Air Force. Joe also graduated from The Ohio University at Athens with a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and from Troy State University with a Masters degree in Business Management.

Joe enjoyed an illustrious career with SIG, Ltd, Sheffield, England as Managing Sales Director.

After returning to his Maine roots, Joe became a member of Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship, the Greater Rumford Area Historical Society, and the BPOE. He also served as the Volunteer Coordinator for Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice and volunteered for the Oxford County Democrats.

Joe's unmatched wit, tremendous sense of humor and endearing friendships will be missed by the innumerable lives he touched throughout his life. He was co-adventurer with Julie exploring the far reaches of the world and proud to have visited every continent. Passionate about his family, the New England Patriots, books, and pets, Joe liked to refer to a quote of Nelson Mandela's "One of the most serious mistakes at my age is to wake up without a program for the day."

Survivors include his wife, Julie; daughter Mitzi and Christopher Copeland, Long Island City, NY; step-daughter Jennifer and Kurt Gantrish, Hanover, NH; and step-son Torrey and Suzanne Viger, Enfield, NH; grandson Jake Copeland, Brooklyn, NY; step-grandsons Keegan, Liam, Benjamin, Nolan and Mason Gantrish, Hanover, NH; sisters Jeanette McDonald, Mexico, Maine and Joyce Radcliff, North Ft. Myers, FL; brothers Danny and Gladys McDonald and Stevie and Jane McDonald of Rumford, Maine and his "best buddy" Jim Drapeau, of Mexico, Maine.

Joe was predeceased by his first wife, June Elson McDonald; parents; brothers John McDonald Jr. and Teddy McDonald; and step-son Scott Lewis Viger.

At Joe's request there will be no celebration of life. Memorial donations in his name can be made to the Greater Rumford Area Historical Society, 145 Congress Street, Rumford, Maine 04276 in his memory.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Rand-Wilson Funeral Home of Hanover, NH.