Obituary of Gerald T. McDonald

Gerald T. “Jerry” McDonald, 89, of Rome, passed away on Wednesday, November 9, 2022, at home after a long illness. Jerry was born on October 22, 1933, in Utica, NY, a son of the late Dr. Harold and Anne (Senecal) McDonald. He graduated from Whitesboro High School, Cornell University and Albany Law School, obtaining his JD degree in 1958.

Jerry married his wife, Margaret Cole McDonald on June 15, 1957. She passed away on April 29, 2016. They had 58 years of a loving, caring and successful marriage. They raised four terrific, grateful and wonderful children.

Jerry had a full, complete and exciting life. His profession, as an attorney, was very important to him. He was President of the Oneida County Bar Association; Chair of the New York State Bar Association Trial Lawyers Section; first Rome attorney to be admitted as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers; a member of the New York State Bar Association House of Delegates for six years; a recipient of the County Bar Association Hugh R. James Award for Outstanding Service to his Profession and Community; and a member of the County Board of Directors with service on it’s grievance committee.

He also performed many pro bono tasks for his profession and community. He started as a mediator, guardian and over five years served the Peacemaker Program as a panelist for the Surrogates Decision Making Committee.  He served as President of the St. Paul’s Catholic Church Parish Council, a board member of the Rome Family Y and for eight years as a member of the Rome Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees and President of Teugega Country Club.

Sports were always of interest to Jerry. He was captain and quarterback of 150lbs football team at Cornell. He loved skiing and spent several years skiing with the Freihof Ski Group (Turin) and the Griffiss Ski Club (Utica) in the European Alps, Western US ski areas, Canada and Argentina. He also enjoyed golf, tennis, racquetball and swimming in Lake Delta.

Jerry is survived by his four children, Michael McDonald (Sue), Kathleen Blystone (Randy), Peggy Basubas (Ed) and David McDonald (Tracey); two sisters, Marianne DeGraaf and Patricia McDonald; two brothers, Edward McDonald and David McDonald (Regina); eight grandchildren, Lt. Col. Nathaniel McDonald (Faith), Lindsay Blystone, Kelsey Blystone (Tommy Nylec), Jessica Blystone, Jana Basubas, Daniel Basubas, Stephen Basubas and Steven McDonald; three great-grandchildren, Mackenzie, Giovanni and Gillian; several nieces and nephews; and special friend, Carol Drumluk.

He was predeceased by his parents; a brother, James McDonald; and grandson, Matthew Blystone.

He joined the Law Firm of O’Shea, Griffin, Jones and McLaughlin in 1962. He served as a partner and more recently as a consultant to the firm now known as O’Shea, McDonald and Stevens, LLP.

Special thanks and appreciation to Father Bob Kelly for his support and guidance, past and present lawyers and secretaries of his law firm for their assistance and friendship.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, November 19^th at 12:00 p.m.  at St. Paul’s Church, 1807 Bedford St., Rome NY 13440. Interment will take place in Rome Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to call at Nunn and Harper Funeral Home, Inc., 418 N. George St., Rome NY 13440, on Friday, November 18^th from 4-7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Jerry’s memory to Rome Health Foundation.

You may light a candle, send a message of sympathy, and read the obituary at www.nunnandharper.com.