Obituary of Richard Lee McDonald

"Brimfield-Richard L. McDonald, Sr., 75, of Riverview Cir., passed away May 3, 2007 at Wing Memorial Hospital. Born December 7, 1931, he was the son of the late Frederick L. and Ethelyn (Fortier) McDonald. Richard has lived in Brimfield for the past 3 years, previously residing in Palmer. Richard served his country in the U.S. Air Force during Korea and Vietnam and was a member of the American Legion and AMVETS. He worked at Tantasqua Regional High School in their maintenance department for 15 years. Richard, a 5th degree black belt in Judo was a well-known instructor for over 30 years in the Palmer and Ware area at the McDonald School of Judo. He also enjoyed teaching a weekly exercise program at the Palmer Senior Center for many years. Richard will be greatly missed by his wife of 54 years, Shirley (Fundahn) along with his children and their respective spouses, Linda McDonald and Dale Vieu of Easthampton, Lana and Wayne Gordineer of Felton, Delaware, Richard, Jr. and Deborah of Palmer, Kathleen and David Keyser of Ithaca, NY, Robert and Anne of Westminster, and Kristopher and Deborah of Ludlow. He also leaves a sister Lorraine Bristol of Yacaipa, CA, and a brother William McDonald of Scottsdale, AZ, along with 16 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. A memorial service will take place on Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. at the Second Congregational Church, Pleasant St., in Palmer. Beers & Story Palmer Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Palmer Senior Center. "