Terence F. McDonald

Terence F. McDonald died peacefully on April 7, 2017.

He was born in New York City on August 7, 1932. He was a graduate of LaSalle Academy, Class of 1949. He served his country honorably as a member of the United States Air Force from 1951-1954. When he returned to New York he attended Pratt Institute earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering. He was awarded a fellowship from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to continue his education at Columbia University, earning a MS in Chemical Engineering in 1961. He started his career with E. I. DuPont de Nemours in Waynesboro, VA. In 1964, he moved his family to Wilmington where he remained until he retired in 1991. He was blessed with a brilliant mind and an implacable work ethic.

Terence lived for his family. He was a kind and gentle leader who leaves behind a legacy of indefatigable faith, integrity and generosity. He is predeceased by his mother, Anna; two sisters, Sally and Mary and two brothers, Barney and John. He was also a loyal friend and is predeceased by a “gang” of amazing men, many of whom he had known since childhood.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Jane who he started courting in the third grade! He is also survived by his children, Mark (Karen) and Siobhán (Paul) and his three grandchildren: Andrew, Sean and Mary Kate McDonald, all of Wilmington. He is also survived by his sister, Ann Notarfrancesco of Camp Hill, PA, and his sister-in-law, Lynn McDonald of Harrisburg, PA.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Corpus Christi Roman Catholic Church, 905 New Rd.,  Elsmere on Thursday, April 20, 2017 at 11 am. Guests will be received beginning at 10am. Interment at Delaware Veterans Memorial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, to honor Terence’s generosity and charitable spirit, the family invites you to make a contribution in his name to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, 905 New Rd, Wilmington, DE 19805.

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