James J. Macdonald

James J. Macdonald, 93, of Carlisle passed into eternity on Thursday, May 11, 2017 at his residence, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born in Waltham, MA on December 6, 1923 to the late John D. and Esther C. Macdonald.
From age 13-17, Jim attended The Farm and Trades School on Thompson Island in Boston Harbor, which laid a foundation for the pursuit of excellence in all he did. He graduated from Waltham High School in 1941, and immediately followed his three older brothers to support the war effort.
Jim was sent by the U.S. Army Air Corps to Pre-flight school at Dickinson College. It was while in Carlisle that he met his beloved wife of 72 years, Veryl Hartzell of Mount Holly Springs.
Jim began an upholstery business with his partner Lawrence Zell (the “Z” in M&Z). The company became solely Jim’s in 1955, when Mr. Zell decided to sell his shares to him and remain in the company as an upholsterer. Jim greatly enjoyed building his business as a means of supporting his growing family.
He was an avid tennis player and enjoyed traveling, but his greatest joy was his family, for whom he loved creating special memories. He had a zest for life and embraced his Scottish roots, never missing an opportunity to pass that on to his family.
An active member of the First United Methodist Church in Carlisle, Jim invested in his community in many ways, including M&Z’s longstanding Little League team, the Cumberland County Historical Society, the United Way, and the Scottish Society of Central Pennsylvania.
James is survived by: his wife of 72 years, Veryl; six children, Sue Macdonald Bender (Philip), Terry Macdonald Downs (Bill), Wendy Macdonald Oiler (Tom), James Macdonald II (Joy), Ted Macdonald (Linda) and Steven Macdonald (Laura); son-in-law, Carl DeAngelo; two sisters, Kitty Ernst of Perkiomenville and Ann Stutenroth (Al) of Carlisle. He is also survived by: fifteen grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, James was preceded in death by: a daughter, Sally DeAngelo; four brothers; and two sisters.
A service of Thanksgiving and Remembrance will be held at the Carlisle United Methodist Church, 45 South West Street, Carlisle, PA at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 16, 2017 with Pastor Ric Jacobs officiating. There will be a time of fellowship in the church’s gathering area following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Sally’s Lambs, (www.sallyslambs.org/donate ) an outreach to birth Moms who are choosing adoption, the Carlisle United Methodist Church Building Fund, (www.carlislepaumc.org ), or Samaritan’s Purse, a disaster relief organization headed by Franklin Graham. (www.samaritanspurse.org )
Hoffman Funeral Home and Crematory, 2020 W. Trindle Road, Carlisle, PA is handling the arrangements. To sign the guestbook, please visit www.HoffmanFH.com