After an incredible 88 years of living life to its fullest, Dan passed away peacefully at Mariposa House Hospice in Orillia on October 23rd. He was surrounded by his family providing love and comfort. Dan will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
Beloved husband of Jeanne McDonald, married for 68 years. Cherished father of Ron McDonald (Lori), Doug McDonald (Trish), Ken McDonald (Ella), Eric McDonald (Nancy), Anita McDonald, Loretta McDonald (Joe), and Michele McDonald (Chris). Proud grandfather of 14 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.
Dear brother to Madeleine McArther (Aubrey) both predeceased, Joseph McDonald (Florence) both predeceased, Bernadette Robertson (Keith), Angela Laycock-Wolfenden (Roy predeceased), Vera Pinder (Francis predeceased), Lucille Moore, Gloria McDonald predeceased, Raymond McDonald (Eleanor) both predeceased, Sheila McDonald predeceased, Jean McDonald, Cheryl Killip (Steve)
Dan was born in 1937 to Gordon McDonald and Theresa Kennedy. He grew up on a family farm in Ramara and was one of 12 children. Values such as family bonds, work ethic, honesty, integrity, self-reliance, determination, and faith were instilled early into Dan’s character.
At 17 he left the farm to begin a lifelong career in road construction. Dan worked for Miller Paving for 43 years, where his skills and work ethic were unmatched, shaped by his early years on the farm.
Dan embraced every Canadian season with gusto. He logged in the winter, made maple syrup in spring, fished and farmed in the summer, hunted in the fall and loved to give sleigh rides at Christmas. A true jack-of-all trades; logger, farmer, mechanic, carpenter, butcher, welder, hunter, road builder, he was always working with his hands, building something or lending help to others. Dan always enjoyed the company of family and friends, keeping up to date with other people’s lives, sharing in stories of fun, hardship, and accomplishments. He was known for his wry sense of humour.
Dan had a full and accomplished life. Though we grieve, we also celebrate the man he was. May he rest peacefully, his soul in light and love.
A Christian Mass will be held to honour Dan on Saturday November 1st at 11am at St Francis of Assisi Church, 3315 Muskoka St. Washago ON
A Celebration of Dan’s Life will be held in the church hall from 12:30 to 3:30pm on the same day. The family invites all to join us to reminisce and toast Dan’s life and legacy. Future internment at the Black River cemetery.
If desired, memorial donations to Mariposa House Hospice in Orillia would be greatly appreciated.
Arrangements entrusted to Carson Funeral Home – Orillia (705) 326-3595
Online condolences and memories may be left at www.carsonfuneralhomes.com
Condolences
Vicky and Alvin Carranza
Oct 31, 2025In this time of sorrow, may you find comfort in the loving memories. Our deepest condolences. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Tracey (Goldring) Rigon
Oct 31, 2025Condolences to the whole McDonald family. I have such fond memories of Dan. He was funny, kind, a wonderful man. What a great life he lived. Love to you all.
John Cooper
Oct 31, 2025My deepest condolences to the McDonald family in this difficult time. I have wonderful memories of Dan .
Shirley Samarelli
Oct 27, 2025My deepest sympathies.
Trish McDonald
Oct 25, 2025For Dan Dan, you had a knack for saying exactly what everyone else was thinking—only funnier. You never took life too seriously. You found humour in the ordinary, and you shared it freely. Your jokes weren’t just for laughs—they were how you connected with people. You brought us together. You broke tension. You made the everyday lighter. Now that you’re gone, I miss that lightness. The comments that made us groan and grin in the same breath. Family gatherings will be quieter now, but your humour still lingers— in the stories we retell, and in the way we smile when we think of you, because we can’t not. You reminded us not to take things too seriously. To laugh, even when life felt hard. You were my father-in-law— but you were also a spark of joy. And that joy still flickers in all of us!