John Robert “Mac” Wood MacDonald

John Robert “Mac” Wood MacDonald, age 76, of Newark, DE, passed away at home surrounded by his family after a short battle with pancreatic cancer, on Sunday, May 16, 2021.

Born in Loweville, NY, on January 27, 1945, he was the son of the late George MacDonald and Marie Branagh. John grew up in New Jersey with a love for the outdoors, fishing and sports. After he graduated from high school, he served in the Air Force as an Airplane Mechanic during the Vietnam War.

While working at Sears, John met his wife of 53 years, Charlene. They settled down in New Jersey where he worked as a flooring mechanic with the Carpenters Union in New Jersey.  Later, John moved to Delaware, where he held a sales position with Delaware Industries for the Blind for many years. He was also a member of the VFW Post 475.  

John’s passion for fishing continued throughout his life. For many years, fishing trips to Utica, NY with lifelong friend, John Lahey and his sons, were always a highlight of his life. John enjoyed both fresh and saltwater fishing in Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Florida, and Canada. In September of 1991, he earned a Delaware Fishing Citation for catching a 230lb swordfish. John passed his love of fishing onto his children and grandchildren.  

John is survived by his wife of 53 years, Charlene P. (Gerhold) MacDonald; children, John (Jo Ann), Richard (Dawn), and Marjorie Elzey (Blaine); grandchildren, John, Jacqueline, Nicholas, Tyler, Kaitlyn, Joshua, Daniel, and Christopher; great grandchildren, Nora and Aris; and fishing buddy, Al Pollard.

A visitation for family and friends will be held from 10 am until 12 pm on Monday, June 7, 2021, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 121 West Park Place, Newark, DE. Face coverings will be required for all those in attendance not immunized with the COVID-19 vaccine per the CDC and Governor of Delaware. A private committal service will follow at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in John’s memory to the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, 456 Cherry Street, SE, Grand Rapids, MI 1 49503 or the Brandywine Valley SPCA, 600 South Street, New Castle, DE 19720 or Pets for Vets, Inc. – Delaware Chapter, by clicking here.