JAY — Earl W. McDonald, 79, a resident of Crash Road, Jay, passed away peacefully late Saturday evening, April 9, at his home, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born Nov. 28, 1931, in Jay, the son of Randall and Jessie (Winslow) McDonald. He was a 1950 graduate of Jay High School.

On June 10, 1951, in Turner he married Marguerite “Peggy” Tibbetts. They made their home and raised their family in Jay.

He worked for International Paper Co. at the Riley, Otis and Androscoggin mills in Jay, retiring in 1987. He was a member of the International Paper Quarter Century Club.

He enjoyed bowling and horse and dog racing, NASCAR and the Celtics, and was an avid Atlanta Braves fan. He especially loved spending time with his family and loved to argue with his great-grandson, Tyler, over basketball. He was a motorcycle enthusiast, first owning an Indian motorcycle and then owning several Harley-Davidsons through the years. He sold his last Harley in December 2006.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Marguerite “Peggy” McDonald of Jay; children, Greg McDonald and Brenda Allen of Fayette, Kathy Buckingham of Jay, Cindy Marston and her husband, Albert, of North Jay; Pamela Brown of Jay, Chris McDonald of Dayton, Ohio, Melanie Nichol and her husband, Robbin, of Jay, Tina Rioux and her husband, Norm, of Livermore, and Monica Woodcock and her husband, Kenny, of Livermore Falls; 23 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; his sister, Verna Young, of Wilton; his daughter-in-law, Wanda McDonald, of Jay; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his son, Randy E. McDonald, in 1984; five brothers, Elwin, Maurice, Frank, Eugene and Arthur McDonald; two sisters, Dorothy Bansmer and Zelma Martori; and his son-in-law, Dale Buckingham, in 2010.

Messages of condolence may be sent to www.finleyfuneralhome.com.