Mark J. McDonald

East Greenbush- Mark J. McDonald, 86, passed away peacefully in his home, on the afternoon of December 28, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Mark was born in Albany and was the 5th son of James F. McDonald and Mary Mahan McDonald. He completed his service in the Marine Corps in 1963.

He built his home in East Greenbush in 1969 and lived there with his family for the rest of his life. After working for Frank Brothers Nursery, he ran a landscaping business for two decades and then worked at Troy Built. He was the Commissioner of Public Works in East Greenbush in the 1990's and finished his career working for Senator Joe Bruno.

He was actively involved in area politics, Pop Warner Football and was a life-long sports fan. He spent the last decade of life being disappointed by the Mets and Giants. He loved to travel to visit his grandchildren. Some of his favorite trips included a yearly visit to Santa's Village in New Hampshire; a weeklong vacation to Ireland to see his ancestral home; a two-week vacation in Tuscany with his son's family; a 25th wedding anniversary vacation in Hawaii; trips to watch Hamilton College football in the 1980's and Christmas trips to his grandchildren in Arkansas and New Hampshire. He never met a stranger and loved to be with his friends and family.

He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Rachel (McCoy); children Tom McDonald (the late Kristin) of Fayetteville, Arkansas, and Lori McDonald of Goffstown, New Hampshire; grandchildren Justin McDonald, Meghan Bennett, Mitch McDonald, Nicholas Mattison and Sarah Mattison; great-grandchildren Ivy Drew McDonald, Harvey McDonald, Brooks Bennett and Eta Kristin McDonald; and many nieces and nephews.

Mark's family would like to extend their sincerest thanks for the wonderful care provided by the St. Peter's Hospice group and the Bruen Rescue Squad.

Family and friends are invited to visit with Mark's family on Friday, May 8, 2026, from 5:00- to 7:00 p.m., at the W.J. Lyons Jr. Funeral Home Inc, 1700 Washington Ave, Rensselaer.

A funeral Mass for Mark will be held on Saturday, May 9th at 9:00 a.m. at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 125 Eagle Street, Albany. Interment will follow in Memory Gardens, Colonie.