
He was born in Boston, MA on March 16, 1947. He grew up in the Quincy MA area and moved to Brunswick at age 8 with his mother, Sylvia Wakefield McDonald.
He attended local schools and was a member of BHS class of ’65.
He married Brenda Baldwin in October of 1969, and remained married to his best friend for 47 years.
His great-aunt and uncle (Nellie and CY Trufant) owned CY’s Bowling Alley, where he first started selling hot dogs and found his true calling – working with the public and getting to know his customers. He worked there until they closed in 1966. He worked at a few other Hot Dog establishments until he opened Danny’s On The Mall in April of 1982. He loved selling “dogs,” knowing what his customers had on their hot dogs and thoroughly enjoying socializing with his customers. He did this until 2000, when health issues forced him to retire, turning the business over to his sons.
His family was his whole life and he enjoyed spending every minute he could with them. He especially enjoyed watching his two sons participate in youth and school sports. He never missed a game.
He was an advocate of youth sports and sponsored numerous teams during the 80’s and 90’s.
He had the gift of gab and would tell stories to all that would listen. To know him was to love him.
He was predeceased by his mother in 1979.
He is survived by his wife Brenda of Brunswick, two sons, Sean McDonald and Jeffrey McDonald both of Brunswick, a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, niece, nephew, great-nephew and several cousins.
Visiting hours will be held Wednesday, February 1st from 2-4PM and 6-8PM at Stetson’s Funeral Home, 12 Federal St., Brunswick, where a funeral service will be held Thursday, February 2nd at 10AM. Burial in St. John’s Cemetery. Brunswick will be in the spring.
Donations in his memory may be made to Brunswick Area Youth Football (BAYFL), P.O. Box 818, Brunswick, ME 04011.
Condolences may be expressed and a video tribute viewed at stetsonsfuneralhome.com.
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