Joseph J. McDonald

April 9, 1946 - September 6, 2026

Joseph Jerome McDonald, 80, of Rockland, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully, leaving behind a lifetime of memories, love, laughter, and adventure.

Born to the late Jerome McDonald and Ruth McDonald (Whiting), Joe was a Vietnam veteran who served in the United States Army. After being drafted, he served as a medic in Vietnam, where he met the love of his life, Dinh Nguyen. Their meeting began a beautiful love story. Joe and Dinh married and built a life together, raising three children and sharing many wonderful years as a family.

Joe began his career as a Medical Technologist at South Shore Hospital. He later continued his work at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute before spending the final years of his career at Jordan Hospital, where he served as a Laboratory Supervisor and ultimately retired. Throughout his career, Joe was dedicated to his profession and to helping others.

He was a true outdoorsman who loved fishing, boating, hunting, camping, hiking, and simply being outside. He was happiest surrounded by the people he loved and enjoyed countless family adventures, including camping and hiking trips to the White River Valley in Vermont and Mount Katahdin in Maine. He was also a self-taught jack of all trades who could fix, build, or figure out just about anything. More importantly, he was always willing to lend a hand to anyone who needed it.

Joe had a love for the simple pleasures in life—good music, good friends, pizza, and a cold beer. He especially enjoyed sharing music with his family and friends, creating memories that will continue to live on through the songs he loved.

Above all, Joe was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Dinh McDonald; his sons, James McDonald of South Weymouth and John McDonald and his wife, Lori McDonald, of Middleborough; and his daughter, Susan Durfee and her partner, James Streeto, of Hanson.

He was the loving Papa, affectionately known as “Pup,” to his four grandchildren, Leanne McDonald, Brian McDonald, Luke Durfee, and Reese Durfee, who will forever carry the memories of their time with him in their hearts.

Joe was a man who showed his love through the things he did—helping others, sharing adventures, fixing what needed fixing, telling stories, enjoying a good meal, and being there for the people he loved. His generous spirit, sense of adventure, and love for his family will be deeply missed.

Though our hearts are broken, Joe is finally at peace. His memory will live on in the family he loved, the friends he cherished, the stories that will be told, and the countless lives he touched along the way.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the National Brain Tumor Society.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and staff at South Shore Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Brigham and Women’s Hospital for the compassionate care, support, and kindness they provided to Joe and his family.

Services will be private.

He will be forever loved, forever missed, and never forgotten.