James R McDonald

James R. McDonald, 81, of Toms River, died peacefully on September 7, 2020, at Brandywine Reflections.  Jim was raised in Ridgefield Park, NJ, by Robert and Dorothy McDonald, and made his family home in Oakland, NJ, while spending significant time vacationing in both the Adirondacks and in Toms River, as he and his wife Carol raised a tight and loving nuclear and extended family. 

Jim served in the New Jersey National Guard from 1959-1965.  Upon retirement from the Bergen Record, where he was a machinist and a system administrator, Jim and Carol relocated to Toms River, fulfilling a dream to make their home overlooking the Toms River their retirement home.  Before and after retirement, Jim was a very active member of the Bay Shore Property Owners Association.  Throughout his life, Jim enjoyed boating, fishing, snowmobiling, tinkering with computers and all things mechanical, and spending time with family – for any reason, but especially as a teacher and mentor.

Jim is survived by his wife of 57 years, Carol McDonald (nee Ellingsen), daughters Joan Groffie (Darren), Kathleen Dickson (Ken), Nancy McDonald, grandchildren Ryan and Shannon Groffie, Tyler and Bailey Dickson, and Christopher, Brendan and Reilly Barcas, as well as many grand-nieces and nephews he regarded as his grandchildren, many nieces and nephews he held close enough to be his very own, and his sister, Carol Richards.

Jim’s family would like to thank the staff at Brandywine Reflections for their care of Jim and compassion while he was there.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Alzheimers Association, 225 N Michigan Ave, Fl 17, Chicago, IL 60601.

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