Robert L. Mcdonald

West Springfield -Robert Leslie McDonald, son of the late Fred and Helen McDonald was born in Springfield on December 29, 1924. He passed July 28, 2016 at the Soldiers'�Home in Holyoke due to complications from a stroke. He served in the US Army, WWII, tank division 775, stationed in the Philippine Islands and New Guinea from 1943-1946. He survived his wife of 61 years, Alvina P. McDonald and leaves his son, Robert McDonald and daughter, Doreen McDonald both of West Springfield and his beloved fur-friend (dog) and companion, Scott. He was most proud of the bicycle trip he and his brother Curtis made from 16 Acres to Lake Wales, Florida in the summer of 1940 when he was just 18 years old. He was manager at Ferrera Spring and Parts Co. on Worthington St., Spfld, for 41 years. In his retirement, he and his wife spent many happy years traveling, and ultimately bought a second home in Naples, Florida where they resided during the winter months. He loved being the Parade Marshall in the 2014 West Springfield Veterans Day Parade, and was so proud to be honored by going on the New England Honor Flight to Washington DC accompanied by his daughter. He was always an entrepreneur, and in his last years created and made beautiful wooden flower boxes for 16 Acres Nursery and Western Growers in West Springfield. He is predeceased by eleven brothers and sisters and leaves his sister-in-law, Marilyn Wayson and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Every single day of his life, he was the most kind, generous, and loving husband and father, always making life fun and rich for his family, and is beloved by many friends who will remember his sense of laughter and making people laugh. He will be missed more than any words could express by his son and daughter. There will be an 12-noon, Funeral Home Service, Wednesday at the TOOMEY-O�BRIEN Funeral Home, 1043 Westfield St., W. Spfld., followed by a Committal Service at MA Veterans� Memorial Cemetery, Agawam. Calling hours will be Tuesday from 5-7PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Robert's memory to the McDonald Nature Preservation, PO Box 455, Hampden, MA 01036 or the Holyoke Soldiers' Home, 110 Cherry St., Holyoke, MA.