Thomas Marks MacDonald

Thomas Marks MacDonald, of Redding, Conn., unexpectedly passed away on May 21, 2024.  He is survived by his beloved wife, Lisa (Amabile) MacDonald, and cherished daughter, Hadley. He was the beloved son of Richard and Martha (Cook) MacDonald of Wayland, Mass. and loved by his brother, Rick MacDonald of Needham, Mass. and sister, Mary Ellen MacDonald of Wayland, Mass. He was especially devoted to his Samoyeds, Abner and Sawyer. He loved his dogs.

Tom was born Dec. 3, 1969 in Waltham, Mass. and raised in Wayland, Mass. He was a proud graduate of Wayland High School, where he played soccer and lacrosse. He earned a B.A. from Merrimack College, where he also played varsity lacrosse, and an M.S. from Simmons University. He was employed by Altrinsic Global Advisors, in Stamford, Conn.

Most important to Tom were his family and friends. He always looked forward to the holidays, when his family would get together for good food, festivities and lots of laughter, love and conversation. Each Christmas Eve, Tom would make meatballs with his daughter, Hadley, using a recipe handed down from his great grandmother. Seasons and weekends would be filled with biking, lacrosse, and watching Hadley compete on her swim, lacrosse and basketball teams, as well as keeping a close watch on his favorite teams, the Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots. 

Tom enjoyed growing up in Wayland, and spent many summers as a lifeguard and swimming instructor at the Wayland Town Beach. Later, he and his daughter cherished their annual bike rides to the town beach. During these trips, Hadley and Thomas went on paddleboats, and it was at this beach she got the courage to jump into the water into her dad’s arms. 

Tom also treasured his close group of high school and college friends, with whom he shared memories and laughter, and he especially loved to hear news of their families and adventures.  

Tom was loved by his family, including his aunt and uncle, Mary Beth and John Markunas, of Franklin, Mass.; his cousins, Christina and her daughter, Lucinda, of Franklin, Mass., and John Markunas and his wife, Meredith, and their children Kingsley, Jack, Reid, and Parker, of St. Petersburg, Fla.; his aunt Joan MacDonald, formerly of Quincy, Mass.; his mother- and father-in-law, Maria and Tony Amabile, of Redding; and his sister-in-law, Jessica Malas, her husband, Brett, and their son, Henry. He also leaves to cherish his memory many cousins in New York, Massachusetts and Connecticut. Tom was predeceased by his grandparents, Thomas and Mary Cook of Weston, Mass., and Harold and Emma MacDonald of Quincy, Mass. 

Family and friends will be received on Thursday, May 30, 2024 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Kane Funeral Home; 25 Catoonah St., Ridgefield, Conn. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, May 31, 2024 at 11 a.m. in St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Church, 138 Candlewood Lake Road, Brookfield, Conn. Interment will take place privately.

Contributions in Thomas' memory may be made to the Joslin Diabetes Center - 529 Main Street, 4th Floor, Charlestown, MA 02129, https://giving.bilh.org/joslindiabetescenter/ or Boston Children’s Hospital Diabetes Program, C/O Boston Children's Hospital Trust - 401 Park Drive, Suite 602; Boston, MA 02215, https://www.childrenshospital.org/programs/diabetes-program.