Lewis E. McDonald

Lewis E McDonald, 83, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on Sunday, February 17, 2019.

He was born on January 2, 1936, in Fort Fairfield, Maine the son of James McDonald and Bessie Scott.

Growing up in the County he was raised on a farm and at a young age derived a strong work ethic by picking potatoes. He attended Fort Fairfield High School where he was voted best looking and was also given a citizenship award. After he graduated from Fort Fairfield high school in 1954, Lew joined the Army where he served most of his enlisted years in Germany guarding the SS German prisoners of war. After leaving the military he worked at various construction jobs before attending college on the GI bill.

He graduated from the University of Maine with a degree in accounting.  Lewis took a lot of pride in his career, 1st serving as controller for Sears when they were located on Free Street in Portland and then joining the accounting firm of MacDonald, Page, Stafford, and Strout.  Lewis then opened his own accounting and tax service business and loved being self-employed. 

Lewis leaves behind the love of his life Erlinda (Ramones) McDonald and three sisters Elizabeth Vaught of Jefferson City MO, Leona and husband George Connors of Gray Maine, and Mary Johnson of Gray Maine.

He leaves behind three stepchildren from a prior marriage that he adored, Marcia Anderson, Kenny and Robert Chapman. He is predeceased by his sisters Eugenia Jiles and Evelyn Huard and brothers Arnold and Franklin McDonald. Very near and dear to his heart were the many nieces and nephews from Maine to Missouri.

He was very proud of his Irish heritage and enjoyed cheering on his favorite basketball team the Boston Celtics.  Lewis liked to joke around and could be overheard telling many jokes to friends and family. If anyone knew Lew they knew he loved to dance and sing, it always put a huge smile on his face when he was able to perform in public.  His favorite singers were Patsy Cline, Willy Nelson, and Elvis Presley.  In his later years, he enjoyed traveling and lived briefly in Florida until his health declined and wanted to return to his beloved home state of Maine.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, February 23, 2019, at 11:00 AM at St. Pius X Church on Ocean Avenue in Portland. Burial will follow with Military Honors in New Calvary Cemetery in South Portland.

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