Obituary for John "Jack" J. McDonald
John James "Jack" McDonald, age 81, of Cincinnati, OH, passed away peacefully at home on June 8, 2023, surrounded by his family. Jack had suffered from multiple dementias and Stiff Person Syndrome for several years.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents, John and Edith McDonald; his late wives, Mary Ann McDonald and Carol McDonald; and niece Kelly (McDonald) Singh. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Norma McDonald and five children: Laura Schaffer, Mark (Lisa) McDonald, Kerri (Dominic) Wolfer, Michael (Allison) McDonald and Casey Stewart; and his fourteen grandchildren: Kirsten, Spencer, Miranda, Ian, Brody, Darby, Edith, James, Henry, Charlie, Colin, Presley, Cecelia, and Myles. He is also survived by his brother Daniel (Pamela) McDonald, and sister Claire Palmer, and brothers and sisters-in-law Joanne Geerlings, Sally (Jerry) Moore, Timothy (Ruth) Geerlings, Michael (Mary) Geerlings, Linda (Brad) Stephenson, Lucy (Thomas) Harkema, Muriel (Jef) Flaherty, Andrea Luck, Patricia Hayes, John Sanderson and each of their families.
Born and raised in the Deer Park neighborhood on May 11, 1942, Jack attended St John's Catholic School and Purcell High School, graduating in 1960. At the University of Cincinnati, he was in the Army ROTC and majored in finance, graduating in 1965. He then served as a US Army officer from 1966 - 1968, returning to Cincinnati and moving to Anderson Township in 1973, where he remained until his death. Jack held various career positions, including stock broker at F.I. DuPont, comptroller at David Joseph Co., general manager for Joseph Automobile Group, comptroller of TASA Insurance and ultimately running The Advisory Group, his own real estate appraisal firm. Each of these benefitted from his financial acumen, wonderful personality and respect for others, no matter their rank or position.
Jack participated in multiple sports throughout his life, and is widely and fondly remembered for coaching multiple Deer Park area youth football and baseball teams while in high school and college; as well as teams at Immaculate Heart of Mary and in Anderson Twp. later in life. Picking up golf at 47, Jack became a favorite partner in local leagues for his humor and competitive spirit. Jack loved and lived music, singing in the church choir, at karaoke venues and special events.
Most of all, Jack was a faithful husband and dedicated father, generous person and child of God. In spite of experiencing significant loss during his life, he was always Happy Jack.
Visitation will be held Monday, June 12, 2023, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at T. P. WHITE & SONS Funeral Home, 2050 Beechmont Ave, Cincinnati 45230. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, June 13, 2023, at 11:30 a.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 7820 Beechmont Ave 45255. Following the service, burial will be at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 11000 Montgomery Rd, Cincinnati 45249. A reception will be held at Grove Park Grille, 6735 Kellogg Ave, Cincinnati 45230.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the City Gospel Mission or Purcell Marian High School.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents, John and Edith McDonald; his late wives, Mary Ann McDonald and Carol McDonald; and niece Kelly (McDonald) Singh. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Norma McDonald and five children: Laura Schaffer, Mark (Lisa) McDonald, Kerri (Dominic) Wolfer, Michael (Allison) McDonald and Casey Stewart; and his fourteen grandchildren: Kirsten, Spencer, Miranda, Ian, Brody, Darby, Edith, James, Henry, Charlie, Colin, Presley, Cecelia, and Myles. He is also survived by his brother Daniel (Pamela) McDonald, and sister Claire Palmer, and brothers and sisters-in-law Joanne Geerlings, Sally (Jerry) Moore, Timothy (Ruth) Geerlings, Michael (Mary) Geerlings, Linda (Brad) Stephenson, Lucy (Thomas) Harkema, Muriel (Jef) Flaherty, Andrea Luck, Patricia Hayes, John Sanderson and each of their families.
Born and raised in the Deer Park neighborhood on May 11, 1942, Jack attended St John's Catholic School and Purcell High School, graduating in 1960. At the University of Cincinnati, he was in the Army ROTC and majored in finance, graduating in 1965. He then served as a US Army officer from 1966 - 1968, returning to Cincinnati and moving to Anderson Township in 1973, where he remained until his death. Jack held various career positions, including stock broker at F.I. DuPont, comptroller at David Joseph Co., general manager for Joseph Automobile Group, comptroller of TASA Insurance and ultimately running The Advisory Group, his own real estate appraisal firm. Each of these benefitted from his financial acumen, wonderful personality and respect for others, no matter their rank or position.
Jack participated in multiple sports throughout his life, and is widely and fondly remembered for coaching multiple Deer Park area youth football and baseball teams while in high school and college; as well as teams at Immaculate Heart of Mary and in Anderson Twp. later in life. Picking up golf at 47, Jack became a favorite partner in local leagues for his humor and competitive spirit. Jack loved and lived music, singing in the church choir, at karaoke venues and special events.
Most of all, Jack was a faithful husband and dedicated father, generous person and child of God. In spite of experiencing significant loss during his life, he was always Happy Jack.
Visitation will be held Monday, June 12, 2023, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at T. P. WHITE & SONS Funeral Home, 2050 Beechmont Ave, Cincinnati 45230. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, June 13, 2023, at 11:30 a.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 7820 Beechmont Ave 45255. Following the service, burial will be at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 11000 Montgomery Rd, Cincinnati 45249. A reception will be held at Grove Park Grille, 6735 Kellogg Ave, Cincinnati 45230.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the City Gospel Mission or Purcell Marian High School.