Gerard Henry MacDonald

Gerard H. "Gerry" MacDonald, 71, of Tampa, FL died Thursday, August 23, 2012 in Huntersville, North Carolina, while visiting family. He had battled for several years with serious medical conditions caused by Agent Orange exposure during the Viet Nam war. Services will be private, with interment taking place at Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah, Georgia. He was born on August 2, 1941, in Lowell, Massachusetts, to the late Dorothy S. and Francis B. MacDonald, of Billerica, Massachusetts. He graduated from Billerica Memorial High School in 1959 and from Lowell Technological Institute in 1963 with a B.S. Degree in Industrial Management. Commissioned in the United States Air Force at graduation, he served proudly on active duty and in the Air Force Reserve for over 20 years as a pilot, flight instructor, flight examiner and operations officer, flying the C-124, C-141 and C-123 multi-engine transport aircraft. He spent a year in combat, flying the HH-3 "Jolly Green Giant" rescue helicopter in Southeast Asia during the Viet Nam war. He was medically retired from Eastern Air Lines, having been based in Miami with Eastern as a pilot for several years. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Delaurace, and is survived by a brother, Art MacDonald (wife Val and daughter Meredith) of Warner Robins, Georgia, son Jim MacDonald (wife Cheryl and sons Brandon and Alex) of Huntersville, North Carolina, daughter Tracy Hurley (husband Bill) of North Attleboro, Massachusetts, ex-wife Judy MacDonald of Acton, Massachusetts, and good friend Shirley Bruce of Tampa, Florida. The family can be contacted by phone at 478-361-5954(brother Art) or 704-947-7360 (son Jim). They wish to express heartfelt thanks to the doctors, nurses, and staff at the James A. Haley, VA hospital in Tampa, and to the caregivers in the VA Medical Foster Home Program there, especially Ms. Cindy Harris and her family, who made possible a happy and productive life for Gerry in his final days, in spite of many medical complications. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gifts be made to a favorite charity. Raymer-Kepner Funeral Home in Huntersville, North Carolina is assisting the family. Friends may offer condolences to the family at www.raymerfh.com.