Charlton: Peter J. McDonald, 80, passed away on Thursday, March 16 ^th , in the UMass Memorial Medical Center, University Campus, Worcester, after a long illness.

He leaves his wife of 32 years, Judith A. (Erban) McDonald and their cats, Fenway and Gillette.  His first wife, Louise (Daigle) McDonald, passed away in 1988.  He leaves his two children, his daughter, Nicole R. Wellbeloved of Cotuit and his son Aaron T. McDonald of Westborough; his sister, Dolores McDonald of Mesa, AZ; and his five grandchildren, Trey, Quinn and Sadie Wellbeloved, and Eloise and Margaux McDonald.  Peter will also be missed by his 2 very good friends, Leo Farrand of Bellingham, MA and Jack Costello of Waterbury, CT. He was predeceased by his grandson, Blake Wellbeloved and nephew, John Watts, Jr.  Peter was born in Holyoke, the son of the late Thomas and Dolores (Fennelly) McDonald.  He was raised in Chicopee, Brooklyn, NY and East Longmeadow. Peter received his Master's degree from Worcester State College.

Peter served in Vietnam from October 1968 to May 1970. He was in the Army serving in Military Police and as a Supply Sargent. He earned the Bronze Star during his service.

Peter was an English and Media/TV Production teacher at Tantasqua Regional High School in Sturbridge for 38 years. Retiring in 2004, however he returned for 2 more years to help with the TV Production class. During his time at Tantasqua, Pete served as the chairperson of the English department; on many TEA Offices & committees; and coached the high school's boys soccer team for 20 years.  Peter worked for 20 years at the YMCA's Camp Foskett in Charlton, starting as Assistant Camp Director and spending the last 12 years as Camp Director.  He loved photography. He was a photography teacher and part-time professional photographer.  Peter was an avid world traveler, a wine connoisseur and a huge fan of jazz music.  He was also a fan of the Boston Red Sox, the Boston Celtics and the US National Soccer teams.

Calling hours for Peter will be held on Thursday, March 23 ^rd , from 4:00 to 7:00pm in the Daniel T. Morrill Funeral Home, 130 Hamilton St., Southbridge. Please join us for "a Gathering for Pete" to share stories, food and drink on Saturday, March 25th, from 12:00-3:00pm at the Rapscallion Pub, 3 Arnold Road, Sturbridge.

A Celebration of Life Party will be planned for the summer.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the TEA Scholarship, C/O TEA President, Tantasqua Regional Senior High School, 319 Brookfield Road, Fiskdale, MA 01518 OR to Parkinson Foundation, 2000 SE 1 ^st Street, Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131.