McDonald, George H.

Description

George Henry MacDonald was born on November 12, 1893, in New York, the son of Joseph MacDonald and Nora Honora Celia Lynch. He spent his early years in New York City, living in Manhattan during his childhood and adolescence. His father died on January 13, 1912, when George was eighteen years old, an event that likely shaped his early adult responsibilities.

By the mid-1920s, he had settled in Rye, New York, where he became part of the local working community. He later resided in Port Chester and maintained strong ties to the Rye area throughout his life.

World War I Service

MacDonald enlisted in the United States Army on March 23, 1915, at New York, New York, serving in the 29th Infantry Regiment, a Regular Army unit with longstanding service responsibilities both domestically and overseas.

He was assigned to Company C of the regiment and served in a variety of locations including Panama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Georgia. These assignments reflect the Army’s pre-war and wartime deployments focused on coastal defense, training, and strategic operations, including duty connected to the Panama Canal Zone, which was of critical importance to U.S. military and naval logistics.

During his service, he attained the rank of Mechanic on May 18, 1917, a role that involved maintaining equipment and supporting the operational readiness of his unit. He did not serve overseas in Europe and sustained no wounds or injuries during his service.

He was honorably discharged on June 11, 1920, following more than five years of service that spanned both the pre-war and World War I periods.

Life After Service

Following his military service, MacDonald returned to civilian life and worked as a carpenter, a skilled trade that supported the continued development of Rye and the surrounding communities. He lived at 70 Prospect Street in Port Chester, New York.

He was a member of Corpus Christi Church and remained connected to local civic and religious life. His work and community involvement reflect the steady contributions of working-class veterans in the years following World War I.

George Henry MacDonald died on January 7, 1958, at Grasslands Hospital after a long illness, at the age of 63.

At the time of his death, he was survived by his wife, Elizabeth Killilea MacDonald of the home address; his daughter, Mrs. Rocco A. Cicchiello Jr. of Port Chester; his son, John F. MacDonald of Washington, D.C.; four grandchildren; his sisters, Mrs. Agnes Faffley of Port Chester and Mrs. Theresa O’Hara of White Plains; and his brother, Lawrence MacDonald of Woodridge.