Roderick John Macdonald, 67, of Micco, Florida, entered into the loving arms of Jesus on Thursday, November 9th, 2017.
Born in Lowell, Massachusetts on January 26th 1950, Roderick was the son of the late Floyd Macdonald and the late Winifred (Sharkey) Macdonald . "Mac" as he was affectionately called by his friends and family, is survived by his daughter, AmyBeth (Macdonald) Hodges and his son-in-law Brian Hodges along with his adoring grandchildren Lily, Lauren and Lane Hodges all of Gettysburg, PA. as well as his son Roderick John Macdonald, Jr. and his partner Sara Quimby of Newburyport, MA.
He is also survived by his sister Shari Ann Macdonald along with many, many friends in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Florida.
After graduating Lowell High School, where he was a championship wrestler, he served our country proudly in the Army, serving in Vietnam in 1970 & 1971, attaining the rank of specialist E-4. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device, the Vietnam Service Medal as well as the Expert Rifle Badge.
After leaving the Army he was employed by the United States Post Office until his retirement in 2006.
Mac then relocated to Micco, Florida which he affectionately referred to as his Nirvana. He worked as a security guard, bringing a bright and heartfelt smile to all with whom he interacted. Mac loved to be active and enjoyed fishing, kayaking, riding his motorcycle, and was an avid reader but Mac's favorite thing of all was spending his summers with his three grandchildren and daughter camping on the Appalachian trail in Pennsylvania.
Not one day will pass without remembering all of the great memories Mac left us. As a Christian family we know that he is with Jesus and we will reunite one day. Death is not final when you love and have a relationship with God.
As per his wishes, a memorial will be held next summer in Newburyport, Massachusetts at Hope Community Church followed by a Coast Guard farewell where his ashes will be scattered 24.7 miles out the Merrimack River at "The Purge".