James K. McDonald

James K. McDonald, 73 of Worcester, passed away suddenly on Monday, August 14, 2017 at UMass Medical Center. James was born in Worcester, a son to the late Donald M. and Mary (DePari) McDonald.  He graduated from North High School and attended classes at Worcester Junior College.  James worked as a repair technician for Verizon for 37 years before retiring in 2007.  He served his country in the United States Army National Guard for many years. James loved golfing and was a member of the Verizon league at Holden Hills Country Club. He was a member of the Pioneer’s Volunteer Service Organization with Verizon, Our Lady of the Rosary Church and went with a group of friends to the Broadway weekly.  James loved to travel with his wife Paula to Las Vegas twice a year and their annual trip to Florida in the winter.  He was an “All Around” Great man who enjoyed gambling, horse races and would help his neighbors tend to their homes or help them whenever they needed it.  He made everyone he spoke with feel important and gave them his full attention and care.  He always had a smile and a kind word for whomever he met.  James leaves his wife of almost 47 years, Paula E. (Gigliotti) McDonald; his son and daughter, Brent and Kara McDonald of Worcester; two sisters-in-law, Elizabeth McDonald of Shrewsbury and Mary Jane Alexander of Webster; three nephews, Michael McDonald, Anthony and Jeffrey Gigliotti; five nieces, Mary Beth Ritkouski, Lisa Talbert, Paula D’Amico, Kim St. John and Samantha Gilchrest; 5 grand nieces and nephews, Emily, Hailey, Grace, Tanner and Jake; an aunt, Caroline DePari; many cousins.  James is predeceased by two brothers, John A. McDonald and Gerald E. McDonald, whom recently passed in November of 2016. Services for James will be held on Friday, August 18, 2017 from the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St., Worcester with a Mass at 10:00 am in Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 35 Fales St., Worcester.  Burial will follow in Saint John’s Cemetery, Worcester.  Relatives and friends are invited to visit with James’s family on Thursday, August 17th from 4-7 pm in the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers kindly consider making memorial contributions in his name to: St. John's Food for the Poor Program, 44 Temple Street, Worcester, MA 01604.  To share your thoughts and memories of James, please visit his personal guestbook at www.mercadantefuneral.com