Macdonald, John T.
In the intimate company of children and grandchildren John departed this life on November 9th, 2019. He was the youngest of 3 sons born to Archibald and Minnie Macdonald in Putnam on April 23rd, 1931.
At Putnam High, he met the love of his life, Mary Ryan, who would become his bride and with whom he would share an abundance of joy over the course of a 55 year marriage. He proudly served in the US Air Force during the Korean War and then returned to school initially earning his Bachelor of Science and later a Master's degree in Agricultural Economics at the University of Connecticut. With Mary he enthusiastically raised 4 sons in Pomfret: John Jr., James (Sandy), Jeffrey and Scott. He took an active role in their early lives teaching responsibility and work ethic, while promoting activities such as Scouting, travel and lots of fun adventures of his own design.
He was devoted to his community and was politically active. He served as Commissioner of Agriculture and Natural Resources for the State of Connecticut and subsequently was named the Executive Director of the Commission of Special Revenue, overseeing the Lottery and other forms of State licensed wagering.
He served on the Board of Trustees of the University of Connecticut and Annhurst College. In later years he taught economics at Quinebaug Valley Community College, a role which he found especially rewarding. He was a long-time member of the Pomfret Lions, the Putnam Elks and the American Legion. He retired
with Mary to Alexander's Lake in Dayville where they relished their time with friends and especially enjoyed relaxing sunset cruises aboard the MaryMac. They
wintered in Estero, FL where the days were warmer and where there were lots of new friends to be made. John was predeceased by his wife Mary, his son James, daughter-in-law Rhonda, and older brothers Archie and Donald. He leaves his sons (and their wives) John Jr. (Julieanne), Jeffrey (Barbara), and Scott (Sylvia), 8 grandchildren Sarah (Selby), Skye, Aedan, Kelly (Dan), Ryan, Danny, Michael and John and one great grandson (Mekan).
Donations in John's name may be made to the Day Kimball Healthcare Foundation (Putnam) or a community cause of the donor's choice.
While Covid concerns have postponed the family's plans numerous times, we now gather to honor his memory. A funeral mass will be celebrated at Most Holy Trinity, 568 Pomfret St., Pomfret on Saturday, April 23rd at 10am followed by the burial in Grove Street Cemetery, 247 Grove Street, Putnam.