Robert Francis Macdonald

BRIDGTON – Robert Francis Macdonald, a loving and beloved family patriarch, died on June 8, 2026. A longtime resident of Bridgton, he was 84, just 34 days from his eighty-fifth birthday. He was a good man.

Mr. Macdonald, who was known by “Bob”, Dad, and Grampa to his friends and family, was born and raised in Bridgton where he attended Bridgton High School and later the University of Maine at Orono where he graduated with a degree in Business and Economics in 1964. Bob was the first member of his family to graduate from college. At the University of Maine, he was a varsity athlete and excelled as a pitcher on the baseball team. It was there that he met the love of his life, Margaret “Peg” Macdonald with whom he was married for 60 years. The two were inseparable.

After graduation from the University of Maine, Bob went on to attend the Maine School of Law. After law school, Bob joined his father and went to work in the family Chrysler Dealership in Bridgton. Over the years, Bob, along with his brothers, Jim and Dan, took over ownership of the dealership and expanded to Conway, N.H. with the establishment of Macdonald Motors Ford. Throughout his extensive business career, Bob also found time to serve on the boards of the Bridgton Hospital, the Maine Law School Foundation, the Bridgton Planning Board and the Maine Automobile Dealers Association where he also served as its president.

Bob was an avid golfer and longtime member of Bridgton Highlands Country Club in Bridgton, and the Boulders Golf Club in Carefree, Ariz. He had a buttery smooth golf swing and was an accomplished player – traits that he did not pass on to his children. Bob was also a member of the Cumberland Club in Portland. Bob was one of the community leaders who stepped forward to assist with the purchase of the Bridgton Highlands Country Club in 1992, thus helping preserve and improve the course and club for future generations. In addition to his other interests, Bob was a proud Mason.

Bob and Peg loved art and antiques and enjoyed collecting Staffordshire, furniture, and art. They enjoyed many trips “up the coast” and “out to Cape Cod” hunting for elusive objects. Bob loved the theatre and was “season ticket holder” and supporter of the Barnstormers Theatre in Tamworth, N.H. Later he and Peg enjoyed trips to London where they traipsed up and down Kensington Church Street and attended shows in the West End.

In 2019, Bob, along with his precious Peg, were the victims of a brutal attack and home invasion. Bob was lucky to survive the attack and heroically fought his attacker, saving Peg and himself. The attack left him broken. Despite this horrific event, Bob (and Peg as well) strived to recover their health and to live with dignity.

The joy of Bob’s life was his family. He was always available to provide thoughtful advice and support to anyone who asked.

Bob was predeceased by Peg; and his older brother Jim.

He is survived by his brother, Dan and his wife Linda; his daughter, Mary Macdonald and her husband Chip Jones, his son, Bob Macdonald Jr. and his wife Cynthia P. Macdonald; his six grandchildren (listed below); one great-grandson; and many nieces and nephews.

Bob especially enjoyed being a grandfather and great-grandfather and nothing brought him more joy than spending time with his six grandchildren, Mei Scarlett, Nick Scarlett, Maggie Scarlett, Rob Macdonald, Catie Macdonald, and Patrick Macdonald. Recently, it gladdened his heart, to receive the news (with photos and videos) that he had become a great-grandfather with the arrival of his great-grandson, Teddy Foster.

A celebration of Bob’s life will be held at a place and time to be announced where all his family and friends will be welcome.

Arrangements are in the care of the Hall Funeral Home, 165 Quaker Ridge Rd. in Casco, where condolences and tributes may be shared with Bob’s family at http://www.hallfuneralhome.net.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggest gifts to the Rufus Porter Museum in Bridgton, or the Barnstormers Theatre in Tamworth, N.H.