Gary J. MacDonald
November 17, 1956 ~ June 17, 2024
Born in:
Boston, Massachusetts
Resided in:
Hamden, Connecticut
Gary J. MacDonald (67), of Hamden, CT, passed away peacefully in his sleep on June 17, 2024. He was born in Boston, MA on November 17, 1956, a son of the late John A. MacDonald and Barbara A. MacDonald (Sprague). Gary is loved and missed by his wife Sue (Fandrich) of Hamden, his daughter Lauren Jacobson (MacDonald) and her husband Jonathan of Stamford, son Ryan MacDonald and his wife Kendall (Baker) of Winsted, grandson Ezra Jacobson of Stamford, brother Dr. Tobey MacDonald and his wife Kelly (Chelf) of Decatur, GA, sister Carol Marshall and her husband Bill of Hingham, MA, and aunt Joanne McDonald of East Falmouth, MA. Gary was predeceased by his sister Pamela Collins-Shimkus, of Reidsville, NC. He thoroughly enjoyed spending time with his many nieces and nephews.
Gary was married to Sue for forty-three years and cherished his family. His vibrant spirit lit up any room, and his gymnastic skills were unparalleled. He treasured his work and colleagues of Mechanical Solutions Inc. which he started with Ken Reynolds and the late Robert Upton over thirty years ago.
He enjoyed golfing, skiing, dancing, going to the theater and concerts, hiking, attending work conferences, exercising, and was an avid Boston sports fan of the Patriots, Red Sox, Celtics, and Bruins. Gary’s faith was also crucial to him, as he was an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion for the last fourteen years and previously served as co-Chairman of the Catholic Youth Organization at St. Joan of Arc Church. An adventurer at heart, some of Gary’s favorite travel locations were Newport, RI, Lake Ontario, Cape Cod, and the Caribbean.
Family, friends, and others are invited to visit with Gary’s family on Monday, June 24th to celebrate his life at Beecher & Bennett Funeral Home, 2300 Whitney Avenue, Hamden, from 8:30a.m. to 10:30a.m. followed by his Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul the VI Parish / Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, 2819 Whitney Avenue, Hamden. Contributions to the Holy Family Passionist Retreat, a center close to his heart, are appreciated at www.holyfamilyretreat.org/ways-of-giving. To send a condolence to his family, please visit www.beecherandbennett.com
Services
Visitation: June 24, 2024 8:30 am - 10:30 am
Beecher & Bennett Funeral Service - Hamden
2300 Whitney Avenue
Hamden, CT 06518
203-288-0800
Mass of Christian Burial: June 24, 2024 11:00 am
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church
2819 Whitney Avenue
Hamden, CT 06518
203-248-0141
My condolences to your family. Gary was a great man and kind soul. I will miss our conversations.
Earl Bond
We are so very sorry to hear this news. Our thoughts and prayers are with Sue, Lauren , Ryan and families at this time. 🙏🙏
Our heartfelt condolences at the passing of Gary. Although we knew him a short time, he left a footprint in our hearts. May he go with God, and eternally be in all our memories.
Nina & Lane Baker
Our heartfelt condolences at the passing of Gary. Although we knew him a short time, he left a footprint in our hearts. May he go with God, and may you have peace. ✝️ 🙏
Nina & Lane Baker
My full condolences to Gary’s family and the MSI family as well.
Super surprise and devastated when I heard.
We will miss a professional and super nice guy!
Happy new journey Gary!
Prayers for the family. I have worked with Gary for many years. He is a friend and a mentor. Gary will be missed, but not forgotten.
My deepest condolences for your loss.
So very sorry for your loss. I knew Gary as a friendly competitor in business and collaborator at times as well. I am glad I got to visit with him in Newport last month. I always enjoyed our conversations. I am shocked and saddened by his passing. He was good people.
My sincere condolences to Gary’s. Family, Gary and I both worked on the sales team at Wallace and Tiernan and then he as Rep and I as principal for a number of other companies. We would always share some of that together when I would attend one of the trade shows in New England. I always loved his vey dry sense of humor and he frequently put a smile on my face. Rest in Peace my thoughts and prayers are with you and yours.
My condolences to Gary’s family, friends and the team at MSI. I’ve dealt with Gary for almost 30 years and he was always a pleasure to work with.
I worked for and with Gary for many years he was an outstanding businessman who readily shared his knowledge with me and many others.
I will miss Gary very much, my condolences to Gary’s family.
Rest in Peace my friend
Gary will be missed by all who knew him. He was a wonderful man with a kind heart! I enjoyed knowing him, as my boss at Mechanical Solutions. Rest in peace my friend, always!
Shocked and saddened by the passing of Gary. A great guy who has given so much and had so much more to give. Rest in peace my friend. To his family, keep the happy memories and good times in your heart as they will comfort you in your loss.
Very sad to learn of Gary’s passing. He was always a pleasure to work with and will be missed.
So sad to hear this news. Gary was a great guy. I enjoyed working for him for many years. He loved his family & he was so proud of his kids. I know they will miss him. Rest in Peace Gary. My condolences to the family.
So sad to hear of Gary’s passing, I think back to the Hydrodyne days with Bobby Upton and attending the ASHRAE meetings across from the original location. Many good times both professionally and on the ski slopes. Great man; a very sad loss to the trade and especially his family. Loved the Christmas card photos
Dear Susan and Family
Sorry to learn of Gary’s passing. I enjoyed working with Gary at W&T .Smart energetic and driven to success. Incredible back flips, Barracuda and Juliet the cat ! My sincere condolences to you his family and friends.
I wish to express my sincerest condolences to the friends and family of Gary. God cares about your grief and tears. One Bible writer said to God: “Do collect my tears in your skin bottle. Are they not recorded in your book?” – Psalm 56:8
Remember, while the void you feel in your heart may not disappear, with God’s tender help, you can cherish your memories of Gary and you can still enjoy warm friendships and a purposeful life. And soon God will eliminate death. He wants you to be able to embrace your loved one again. Then that pain in your heart will be healed forever. The scriptures provided me and my family comfort by helping us see Gods loving plan for those who enter rest. For comfort from the Bible please visit bit.ly/truthlifedeath
And let your comforting light shine upon him and his family
His kind and gentle soul now rests in peace with you
Gary, pray for us
Amen
José Y. Capuras
St Joan of Arc Parish
Thoughts and prayers from all of us at Modern Endodontic Specialists, doctors and staff are all included in sending our deepest sympathy for your entire family.
I’ve known Gary for a long time, I’ve done work for Mechanical Solutions and purchased many produces. I considered him a friend and we had many laughs together. He was one of the good guys and I’ll miss him.
I would like send my condolences to his family and coworkers.
Sincerely,
did a good amount of mutually beneficial EMU sales. I will miss him deeply, especially at NEWEA. Rest in peace my friend. Love, Rob Biase 🙏❤️🙏