Joseph P. McDonald MD

Born in Brooklyn, N.Y. on November 10, 1927, to Joseph P. and Mildred (Landry) McDonald, Dr. McDonald lived in Sea Girt, N.J., before moving to Sparta 15 years ago.

Dr. McDonald graduated from Regis High School in New York City. He served in the United States Navy during World War II, and upon discharge, attended Fordham University. He earned his medical degree in 1954 from Downstate Medical College in Brooklyn, N.Y. More recently, he earned a Masters of Theology from St. Elizabeth’s College in Madison, N.J.

After establishing a successful general practice in Long Island, Dr. McDonald moved to Omaha, NE, in order to pursue a specialty in cardiology. After becoming a member of the Fellow of the American College of Cardiology and the American College of Physicians, Dr. McDonald practiced in Rapid City, SD, for several years. In 1979, he moved to New Jersey and established a practice in Bricktown, NJ. He served as past President of the Medical Society of Brick Hospital (1991-1993).

Dr. McDonald’s greatest happiness was his family, especially his wife, Mary. Together, they enjoyed 55 years of marriage and raised seven children. To his family, Dr. McDonald instilled a love of learning, a sense of adventure, and an obligation to give back to the world. He was humble, generous, and kind, a loving husband, and a wonderful father and grandfather.

Dr. McDonald was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Joan Haarmann, his brother Robert, and his son Joseph P. McDonald III. Surviving are his loving wife, Mary, children, Paul McDonald and his wife Kelly of Cape Elizabeth, ME, Nancy Mahoney and her husband Jeff of Annandale, NJ, Mary Jean O’Sullivan and her husband Mark of Phillipsburg, NJ, George McDonald and his wife Anne of Morristown, NJ, James McDonald and his partner Paul Ryneski of New York City, Maura Waugh and her husband Bill of Hillsborough, NC, daughter-in-law Denise McDonald of Livingston, NJ, 21 beloved grandchildren, 1 great-granddaughter, devoted brother Philip and wife Pat of Yardley, PA, and loving sister-in-law Lorraine McDonald.

Friends may call Tuesday, August 21, 2012 from 2-4, 7-9pm at the Goble Funeral Home, 22 Main St., Sparta, NJ 07871. A funeral mass will be held at 11am Wednesday at Our Lady of the Lake Church, 294 Sparta Ave., Sparta, NJ 07871. Interment will follow at St. Bernard’s Cemetery, Bernardsville, NJ

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Dr. McDonald’s memory to Smile Train, P.O. Box 96231, Washington, D.C. 20090-6231 www.smiletrain.org, or to Autism Speaks, 1060 State Rd., 2nd Fl., Princeton, NJ 08590 www.autismspeaks.org. For more information please visit us at www.goblefuneral.com.