Paul M. MacDonald Sr.

Paul M. MacDonald passed on September 16th, 2026, at the age of 95. A devoted Catholic, Paul cherished his large extended family, friends, and the many years he was blessed to enjoy.

Paul was raised in Malden, MA by his parents, Angus and Marguerite, along with his 4 older siblings: John, Angus, Rhoderick and Claire. After a stint in the Navy during the Korean War, Paul married his first love, Gloria Iacobucci, and they raised four children in Malden. As a young man, Paul demonstrated his intellect and determination by earning his electrical engineering degree from Northeastern University while working full time supporting a young family. Over his 37 years in the working world, Paul worked for several companies including NASA during the exciting 1960’s! His crowning work achievement was creating a software program to ensure commercial and military planes were safe in the United States sky in his work for Department of Transportation. Throughout his life, he was also known for his skill in fixing things, his storytelling ability, his incredible memory, his creativity and his Scottish frugalness! Paul was imbued with all things lyrical especially a passion for reciting poetry and singing.

After forty-three years of marriage, Gloria died in 1996 and Paul subsequently married Rosanne Miranda. They enjoyed twenty-eight joyful years of marriage. Paul always said: “All of my wives were Italian” referring to their warmth and ability to cook! Paul retired young and savored forty years of retirement, including time spent in Stoneham, MA, Sanbornville, NH (on the beautiful Lovell Lake) and Merrimack, NH while wintering in Florida.

Paul is survived by his loving wife, Rosanne MacDonald and his children, Christine Solano and her husband Bob, Doug MacDonald and his wife Justine, Shelley MacDonald, and Scott MacDonald and his wife Trish. Paul is also survived by 12 grandchildren: Jennifer, Melissa, Patty, Paul, Dana, Michael, Allen, Nicki, Alex, Vicki, Scott Jr and Brendon as well as 19 great grandchildren: Ricky, Kendra, Greg, Ryan, Tyler, Alexis, Cameron, Isabelle, Emelia, Max, Julia, Rebecca, Sophia, Paul IV, Ewan, Owen, Mason, Molly, and Catherine Joy and 2 great, great grandchildren: Leila Kehlani and Ariyah, along with numerous nieces and nephews. In addition, Dad was stepfather to Rosanne’s 4 children: Maria, Tommy, Glyn and Michael and stepgrandfather to her 7 grandchildren: Miranda, Thomas, Alexander, Sion, Lowri, Bryn, Trefor and Morgan, a great grandchild. A very large family! He was preceded in death by his first wife, Gloria; his oldest son Paul Jr, his stepson Tommy and his siblings. May his memory be a blessing.

Visitation will be held at the McDonald-Finnegan-Anderson Funeral Home, 322 Main Street Stoneham on Thursday September 24 from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Paul’s Funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Patrick' Church, 71 Central St, Stoneham on Friday, September 25, 2026 at 10 a.m. followed by a burial service at Lakeside Cemetery in Wakefield. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude’s or Dana Farber.