Robert J. "Bob" MacDonald

Robert “Bob” John Mac Donald, 93, formerly of Ridgefield, passed away in Danbury on August 13, at Regional Hospice.

Born on February 6, 1932, in Lincoln Park, Mich. to Bert and Wilhelmina Mac Donald, Bob moved with his family to Washington, D.C. at nine months old. One of seven children, he grew up just 16 blocks from the Capitol and later moved to Congress Heights.

Bob’s love for sports began young. At six, he started swimming at the local Boys Club, eventually competing and earning numerous medals. He often credited the Boys Club with providing a strong foundation in his life.

He earned a scholarship to St. John’s High School, where he played baseball, basketball, and football. In his senior year, St. John’s basketball team won The City Championship and Bob earned All City honors as starting center. He also served as second in command in his Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) program. Bob continued his education at Spring Hill College in Mobile, Ala., where he played both baseball (catcher) and basketball (center).

Bob served in the U.S. Army for two years. He then spent his professional life with IBM in various sales and marketing roles, relocating to Ridgefield, Conn. with his family in 1970. A top performer, Bob earned IBM’s prestigious Golden Circle award multiple times and Hundred Percent Club 28 out of 28 times.

Bob met his future wife, Joan Seyfried, in Washington, D.C.—first spotting her on a streetcar and later running into her at a dance that same night. They married in 1956. Their marriage spanned nearly 65 years until Joan’s passing in 2019. Together they raised three children.

A devoted supporter of Joan’s successful dance studio, Bob was the behind-the-scenes scenery builder and music coordinator.

Bob and Joan were also deeply involved with St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ridgefield, serving as Eucharistic Ministers at mass and for the homebound, and with Bob serving as lector. He and Joan traveled regularly including pilgrimages to Rome and Fatima in Portugal.

Bob, a member of the Ridgefield Men’s Club, was an avid golfer, playing on courses across the country including Myrtle Beach, Palm Springs, and Kauai.

Bob is survived by his children Carrie Pin and husband Gregory Pin of Danbury, CT, who lovingly cared for him during the final four years of his life; Craig Mac Donald and wife Linda (Gray) Mac Donald of Brentwood, NH, and Kyle Potvin and husband Glen Potvin of Vero Beach, Fla.; grandchildren Adam, Erik (Catriona), Karina and Allegra Pin; Dylan (Chase), Maddy and Duncan Mac Donald; and Jack and Jeff Potvin; and niece Anne Fogelsong and husband, Tom.

A funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, August 27, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church, 55 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Tuesday, August 26 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Kane Funeral Home, 25 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield, CT.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.