Michael F. McDonald

Michael McDonald, 82, died peacefully from a long battle of Frontotemporal Dementia surrounded by family on April 6,2026 at Tobey Hospital. He was the husband of Nancy (Mayberry) McDonald. They were married for 58 years.

Michael was born in Nantucket on July 30, 1943 to John & Mary Genevieve (Davis) McDonald.
Michael is a graduate of Nantucket High School. After graduation Michael began his life at 18 as a commercial fisherman with his father on the F/V Robert Joseph. He fished for over 40 years. He was owner & co owner of the F/V Libby II & F/V Competition.

Michael was drafted into the Vietnam War & was awarded a Bronze Medal while serving.

Michael enjoyed spending time with his family and was the proudest grandfather to all of his grandchildren. He was the best father and grandfather, leaving us with countless cherished memories.

He also enjoyed going to casinos with Nancy, watching the Patriots, tv game shows, joking with family & friends. Michael will be remembered as a kind, funny, dedicated & generous man. He was loved beyond words and will forever be in our hearts.

Survivors include his wife Nancy, his children Michael F McDonald II, of Fairhaven, Shannon Dias & her husband Randall of Henderson, NV, Jennifer Kobza and her husband Jeff of New Bedford. His grandchildren Randall Dias II, Kalene Kobza-DaSilva & her husband Steve, Jeffrey Kobza II, Shaina Kobza & her fiancé Ivandro, Kaci Kobza, Lexie Kobza & her significant other Kyle, Nicholas, Hannah, & Baileigh. His great-grandchildren Giannah, Mackenzie, Theo, & Everleigh. His siblings Ronald McDonald, Robert McDonald, & Genevieve Harmon (Reg). His in-laws Roberta McDonald & Jim Cranston. He also had many nieces, nephews, & cousins.

He was the brother of the late Mary Fee, Helen Cranston, John McDonald, & Jeanette Topham.

His Funeral will be held on Tuesday, April 14th at 9 AM from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford, followed by his Funeral Mass at St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish Church, 343 Tarklin Hill Rd., New Bedford at 10 AM. Burial will follow in Pine Grove Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Monday, April 13th from 4-7 PM.