Mark Mcdonald

Mark McDonald, 84, of Rockford, IL passed away Friday, September 6, 2019. He was born September 3, 1935, son of Frances (Crossan) and Theodore McDonald. Mark was a strong believer in education. He graduated from West High (1953), University of Illinois (1957) and would later obtain his Masters from Northern Illinois University. A teacher in the Rockford School District for 23 years, Mark also served on the board of REA. When the draft finally caught up with him, Mark proudly served his country in the United States Army in Germany. Upon returning to the states, Mark worked selling insurance for 15 years, making many lifelong friendships with his clients. Mark married Carol Egdahl in 1965 and had over 30 years of happiness until she passed away in 1995. Mark was blessed with a second love, marrying Linda (Welsby) Marotta on October 21, 2005. Together they enjoyed being active and Mark filled his retirement with summer travels with his family, four bridge clubs, evening cribbage games, weekly tennis and bowling with the YMCA Retired Men’s League, teaching CPR, following his favorite sports teams, donating 22 gallons of blood and most of all, bicycling as often as the weather allowed. A member of the Blackhawk Bicycle Club, Mark logged almost 100,000 miles, an outstanding achievement for a rider living in the midwest. He could often be spotted riding through the neighborhoods of friends gathering his miles. Mark was a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church for over 40 years, serving as religious educator for 14 of those years. He was a member of Rockford NEA, University of Illinois Alums, Phi Delta Kappa and Illinois Retired Teachers. Most impactful, Mark was a generous man who never met a stranger he wouldn’t help. As one of the founders of CONTACT of Rockford, a 24 hour crisis/suicide hotline, he was a lineworker, board member and trainer from 1971 until it closed in 2007. Logging more than 5000 hours on the crisis line, his voice was a lifeline for many as he could be heard working the 4-8 PM Wednesday shift. Mark made a difference in many lives. He was always available for his children and involved in the everyday lives of his grandchildren. He was known for giving the BEST hugs in the family. He will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved him.

Survived by his loving wife Linda; daughters, Cathy (Jeff) Cassaro and Cara (Paul Spinello) Freund; step-daughter Cindy (Mike) Lawrence; step-son Jeff (Kelley) Marotta; grandchildren, Kelsey, Josh, Autumn, Jake, Mason, Morgan, Carly, Sarah and Grace; In-laws, Anne (George) Stevens and Marcia (Terry) Small and Paul Stacy; and nieces and nephews, Tracy, Renee, Matt, and Pat. Predeceased by his parents and first wife, Carol Egdahl.

Mark’s life will be celebrated with Memorial Service on Friday, September 13, 2019 at 2:00 PM at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 4848 Turner St, Rockford, IL 61107. A time of visitation will be from 12:00 p.m. until the time of service at the church. A reception with the family will be immediately following the service. The family looks forward to seeing all who can attend. The service will also be streamed online at https://www.facebook.com/UU Rockford/videos. Cremation rites accorded with Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family for a cause close to Mark’s heart. Express online condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.