Obituary of Francis R. "Frank" McDonald

Francis Richard (Frank) McDonald, 70, of Cranbury, NJ, passed away on Friday, January 15, 2021, at Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center, Plainsboro, NJ. Born in Paterson, NJ, to Francis R., and AnnMary McDonald, he grew up in Sea Girt and Lawrenceville, NJ, before marrying and moving to Cranbury, NJ. He graduated from Rutgers University with a Bachelor’s degree in History. Frank was President and Owner of McDonald Construction Corporation in Cranbury, NJ. His company specialized in residential renovation and restoration of historical houses and buildings as well as general contracting. He was a master carpenter and builder with superior knowledge of historical and authentic detail in building and design. He was Chairman of Cranbury’s Historical Preservation Advisory Committee for many years, providing his expertise on the importance of keeping historical elements in preservation and new construction for the Cranbury Village Historic District, listed on New Jersey’s Register of Historic Places. He was an avid surfer, traveling the Jersey shore, and vacationing in Cape May and Block Island to surf the waves. He also enjoyed snowboarding, skateboarding, photography, art and music, and could endlessly talk about politics and history. He adored his loving children Kira and Pat. He supported all of their activities and would spend days playing baseball, exploring nature, and entertaining them with his creative storytelling. He was a loving and devoted husband and father who will be missed by all who knew him. Predeceased by his parents, he is survived by his loving wife Clarice A. McDonald; his children Kira M. McDonald and Patrick F. McDonald; his siblings and their spouses, John McDonald, Anne (McDonald) and Bruce Kasper, James and Gayla McDonald, Isabelle (McDonald) and Joseph Gerardis, Dr. Brian and Linda McDonald, Beatrice (McDonald) and Chuck Schwing; and his nephews Zachary and Keegan McDonald. Due to COVID-19 regulations, funeral service will be held privately and at the convenience of the family.