Date of Passing

Robert Sean McDonald, age 79 of Waterbury, passed away peacefully on November 16, 2021 at Autumn Lakes Nursing Home with his wife by his side. He was the devoted husband of Margaret (Niehaus) McDonald for 54 years.

Bobby was born on November 15, 1942 in New York, New York, the son of the late Robert J. and Mary A. (Vaugh) McDonald. He moved to Hawthorne NY as a teenager and was a graduate of Archbishop Stepinac High School and also attended Iona College. The McDonalds relocated their family to Waterbury in 1973. Bob proudly served his country as a “Tin Can Sailor” in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Blandy DD943 during the Vietnam era. Mac's communications career began as a Trunk Assignor for NY Telephone where he received two VAIL lifesaving awards and after 35 years of service and working in many locations for NY Tel, SNET, SBC and AT&T he retired as a Cable Repair Technician out of the Lakewood Rd. garage in Waterbury. His proudest achievement was realized as a Business Agent for CWA and CUTW. After his retirement, Bob worked at Home Depot in Waterbury. Bob loved reading, sharing stories, his antique replica firearms; his three daily newspapers and his Dahlia and Daffodil gardens. Saturday nights were spent watching SEC football cheering for his beloved LSU Tigers (after visiting Leon). Family vacations included battlefield tours with a swim in the hotel pool as a reward. He truly loved and looked forward to the next river cruise on the DQ with his Maggie. They created enduring memories there. Bob was a 40-year member of the First Congregational Church where he served on various committees. He was a member of the American Legion, Corporal Coyle Post # 1, the CWA Retired Members Club and the Tin Can Sailors Association.

Left to honor his legacy and cherish his memory, besides his wife Margie of 54 years are his daughters; Ellyn McDonald Liseo of New Haven and Suzanne McDermott and her husband Michael of Guilford and his brother, Terence J. McDonald and his wife Eileen of Mahopac NY. Bob and Margie were blessed with four grandchildren; Trent and Katherine Liseo and Daniel and Caroline McDermott who will especially miss their “GB”. He also leaves his nieces; Maureen, Erin, Margaret and Elisabeth, his nephew, Robert and his brother-in-law, Robert Rosa. Bob was predeceased by his parents-in-law, Marie and Hermann Niehaus and his sister-in-law Eleanor Rosa. His precious, Cora who died on September 3, 2021 is waiting at the rainbow bridge for her best friend. The family wishes to extend their sincere appreciation and acknowledge the staff at Autumn Lakes Nursing Home and the Vitas Innovative Care for the special care and love they shared with Bob and his family during his illness.

Funeral services for Mr. McDonald will be held on Saturday, November 27, 2021 at 1:00 pm at the First Congregational Church 222 West Main St Waterbury. Burial will be held at the convenience of the family. To honor Robert’s memory and in lieu of flowers donations to Rose Hope Animal Refuge, 22 Fieldwood Rd Waterbury CT 06704 would be greatly appreciated. Casey’s Eastside Memorial Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 1987 East Main St Waterbury, CT 06705 has been honored to assist the McDonald Family during this difficult time. We continue to remain concerned about the ongoing pandemic so masks will be required during all indoor services whether you are vaccinated or not. Memories last only if you share them, so you are encouraged to leave a condolence, words of comfort or personal memory with the McDonald family on Robert’s tribute page at www.eastsidememorial.com.

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