Mr. Angus Richard "Dick" MacDonald, 88, passed away peacefully Thursday, Sept 18, 2014 at Kimball Farms Nursing Care Center in Lenox surrounded by his family. He was born on November 14, 1925 in San Diego, CA, to Lyman Angus and Fay Browne MacDonald. Angus led a full life as a pillar of his family and communities. He graduated senior President of San Diego High School and spent a semester at Pomona College before entering the Maritime service on Catalina Island in January of 1944. He was appointed to the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY where he graduated in 1947 as Third Battalion Commander and held a scholastic star award for academic achievement. Angus went on to spend almost 3 years at sea traveling around the world with the Pacific Far East Lines, returning to San Diego to become partner in his father's fishing business. In 1951 he moved to Massachusetts where he met and fell in love with his wife of 41 years, Mimi Logan MacDonald. In 1956 they designed and built a home in South Egremont, MA known as "Apple Hill" where they raised their four children and began a 20 year adventure in the hospitality business. The two worked tirelessly to build one of the finest resorts in New England, as Angus stepped into his role as President and General Manager of Jug End Resort in the Berkshires. The pair received many notable honors throughout the years, among them an award presented by Eleanor Roosevelt from the United Nations. They were also named "Hotel Team of the Year" by the New England Chapter of Hotel Sales Management Assn. Angus went onto become International President of HSMA. After the resort changed hands in the mid 1970s Angus opened Apple Hill Realty in Great Barrington, MA which he ran with his son Richard for many years. In his lifetime, Angus enjoyed being involved and helping others. He served his community in many ways such as Vice President of the Massachusetts Hotel Assn., member of SBRSD School Board, member of Gt. Barrington Chamber of Commerce, President of Gt. Barrington Rotary Club and member of San Diego and Escondido, CA Rotary Clubs, board member of Fairview Hospital, President of Berkshire County Board of Realtors, member of St. Andrews Society, as well as Selectman and Planning Board member for the Town of Egremont. When chairing a United Way campaign, he was so passionate to encourage donations that he wore his Scottish kilt daily in front of the Gt. Barrington Town Hall until the goal was reached. Angus and Mimi were adopted by the Iroquois Indian Nation for their work with the American Indians and Angus was given the name "Tall Tree." After Mimi passed away, Angus moved back to San Diego and married his high school sweetheart, Jean Jessop Hervey MacDonald. They loved traveling and time together with their families on both coasts. His step-daughter Susie and the times they shared in San Diego at Balboa Park and the zoo held a very special place in his heart. He always looked forward to playing golf, especially with his son Dick and his brother Larry. In Angus's later years he was overcome by Alzheimer's disease and was given great care by his daughter Nancy-Fay. Eventually he moved to the Kimball Farms Life Enrichment Program then Nursing Care in Lenox, MA where he made everyone smile. His family is forever grateful for their support. Angus is survived by his sister Elizabeth Jessop, brother and sister-in-law Larry and Louise MacDonald, all of San Diego, CA, daughter Nancy-Fay MacDonald Hecker and husband Jon Hecker of South Egremont, MA, son Richard Angus "Dick" MacDonald and wife Sharon Callahan MacDonald of Hopkinton, MA, grandchildren Heather Hecker and companion Adrian Centeno of Los Angeles, CA, Erin Peck and husband Jason Peck of Lee, MA, John Angus "Jack" and Christian Andrew MacDonald of Hopkinton, MA, great-grandchildren Iris, Emma, and Madeline Peck, and nephews Martin, Richard, Peter and Doug Hogan of California. Angus is predeceased by his first wife, Mimi Logan MacDonald, second wife, Jean Jessop Hervey MacDonald, and daughters Lynn and Mimi Ann "Mia" MacDonald. A memorial service celebrating the life of Angus MacDonald will be held on Wednesday, Sept 24th at 3pm at the First Congregational Church in Great Barrington, MA, conducted by Rev. Charles VanAusdall, pastor. The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the church parlor. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mia and Lynn MacDonald Memorial Scholarship at Mount Everett High School through Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. To send remembrances to the family go to www.finnertyandstevens.com
