Raymond McDonald

Raymond (Ray) Joseph McDonald of Fort Jackson, NY, age 90, died peacefully at RRH Potsdam-Canton Hospital on January 3, 2025.

Raymond was born at home on December 30, 1934, to the late Mose and Mary (Hopps) McDonald of Hogansburg, NY. He attended school at a Bombay country school and worked on the family farm until he went to work at the Fort Covington Speedway. He also worked on construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway. In 1953 he began working at ALCOA in Massena, NY, where he continued for the next 34 years. He worked for a short time at the Bombay Slipper Factory during a layoff, then returned to ALCOA, retiring in 1997.

Ray married Phyllis Elizabeth Russell on August 25, 1956 and built their home himself. Phyllis preceded him in death in 1983. A 1985 marriage to Isabelle Bonaparte ended in divorce. On October 12, 1996, Ray married Elizabeth Shattuck who, after 24 years of marriage, preceded him in death.

Ray taught himself to play guitar at age 10 and continued to pursue his love of music the rest of his life. He learned to play banjo, mandolin, violin, and harmonica and followed the bluegrass circuit at local festivals. He did wood working and made many pieces of nice furniture. He loved camping at Coles Creek State Park where he, in recent years, rode his scooter all around the park enjoying friends new and old. He loved having a campfire with friends and family all around.

As a child, Raymond was an altar boy and in recent years attended the Catholic Church (Holy Cross) in Hopkinton, NY. He was very proud of his Native American heritage and spoke the Mohawk language fluently. He loved to tell a good story and make everyone laugh. He saw the humor in everyday life and always seemed on hand to witness the most absurd happenings, which simply added to his store of tales. He simply loved life and loved people, and people loved him.

Remaining are his three daughters and three sons-in-law, Pamela and Clyde LaChance (Brushton), Debbie and Peter Allen (Clayton), and Mary Anne and Steven Winters (Holland Patent). Ray has a legacy of 19 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren as well as step children from Elizabeth: Edna Snyder, Janet Jolly, Rita Childs, Larry Snyder, Gary Snyder (deceased), Betty Premo, Patrick Snyder (deceased), Angie Brooks, and Susan Weston. Ray is survived by one sister, Rose-Alma McDonald, St. Regis, Quebec.

Ray was preceded in death by three brothers, Mose Jr., Joseph, and David, as well as two sisters, Alexina Auger and Aileen Reyome.

Calling hours will be held at Hammill Funeral Home in Winthrop, NY on Friday from 10 am to 12:30 pm. with funeral following at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Hopkinton, NY at 1 pm. Interment will be in Hopkinton-Ft. Jackson Cemetery.

Memories and condolences can be shared with his family at www.hammillfh.com.