Bourne, MA – Thomas R. “Tim” McDonald, 81, of Bourne, formerly of Plymouth, passed away on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital–Plymouth. He was the beloved husband of Nancy (Houghton) McDonald, with whom he shared 56 years of marriage.
Born on March 2, 1945, in Greenfield, Massachusetts, Tim was the son of the late Milton and Mary (Ryan) McDonald. He worked for many years as a sales manager with Mullare News Agency. Tim proudly served his country in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War.
A quiet and kind man, Tim found joy in life’s simple pleasures. He loved playing golf at Bay Pointe Golf Club in Onset and was a lifelong, devoted Boston Red Sox fan. One of his greatest joys was watching his grandchildren play baseball and cheering them on from the sidelines.
Tim was a talented woodworker and carpenter whose craftsmanship can be seen throughout his home. He also took great pride in maintaining a beautiful yard, where he enjoyed gardening and cultivating colorful flowers. Above all, Tim cherished his family and treasured the lifelong friendships he maintained over the years. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and loyal friend.
In addition to his devoted wife, Nancy, Tim is survived by his two daughters, Kathleen Morrisey of Apex, North Carolina, widow of the late Kevin Morrisey, and Karen Thwing and her husband, Michael, of Pembroke, Massachusetts. He was the proud grandfather of Erin, Ryan, Benjamin, Willem, Patrick, Emerson, and Connor. He is also survived by his brothers, John “Jack” McDonald and his wife, Sheila, of Cary, North Carolina, and William “Bill” McDonald and his wife, Susan, of Greenfield, Massachusetts.
Tim’s family extends its heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate caregivers at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital–Plymouth, the Massachusetts General Hospital ALS Department, the VA Boston Healthcare System, and Compassionate Care ALS of Falmouth for the exceptional care and kindness shown to him throughout his illness.
Visitation with Tim’s family will be held on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Cartmell-Davis Funeral Home, 619 State Road (Manomet), Plymouth, Massachusetts, followed by a funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Interment will take place at Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Compassionate Care ALS (CCALS), P.O. Box 1052, West Falmouth, MA 02574.
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