| Joseph James McDonald, Jr. |
Published in The Washington Post on Jan. 6, 2021.
Joseph J. McDonald, Jr.
November 27, 1947 - January 1, 2021
Joseph James McDonald Jr. of State College, Pennsylvania,
passed away peacefully Jan. 1, 2021, at his home surrounded
by his family. He was 73.
Born Nov. 27, 1947, in Pittsburgh, Joe was raised in
Washington, DC, where he attended Oyster, Gordon, and Deal elementary and middle
schools, Woodrow Wilson High School (1966), and the Landon School, from which he
graduated in 1966. A decorated athlete and all-league selection, Joe honed his skills at
Washington's Jelleff Boys Club. He attended The Pennsylvania State University on an athletic
scholarship, before a knee injury prematurely ended his basketball career, and was a brother
of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. He graduated in 1970.
It was at Penn State where Joe met his best friend and devoted wife of more than 50 years,
Patti (Mingle), who survives at home. After marrying in 1970, the couple settled in Central
Pennsylvania, where they lovingly raised three children-Dana, Jennifer, and Matthew. Joe
owned his own insurance and real estate business and worked with countless families
throughout the Centre Region. A dedicated community citizen, Joe was a member of
numerous local organizations and volunteered on several community boards. He also was a
longtime boys' basketball coach, teaching and mentoring a generation of youth throughout
Penns Valley.
Joe was an avid sports fan and in retirement appreciated spending time with his family,
staying connected to longtime friends - including many from his early years in DC, golfing, and
taking trips to the North Carolina coast.
In addition to his wife, Patti, Joe is survived by his three children, Dana and her wife, Susan
Alden, Jennifer and her husband, Matthew Boal, and Matthew; three grandchildren: Zachary,
Alise, and Morgan Boal; and a loyal cat, Rascal Jack.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph, legislative representative for the United
Steelworkers of America, and Margaret (Spence); sisters, Dorothy Chen and her husband,
William, and Marjory Rugh and her husband, Kenneth; and parents-in-law, Jensen and Dorothy
(Gharret) Mingle.
All services will be private and under the care of Steven R. Neff Funeral Home in Millheim.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions in Joe's honor be made to the
Mount Nittany Health Foundation Cancer Care Fund foundation.mountnittany.org/give; Mount
Nittany Health Foundation, 1800 Park Avenue, State College, PA 16803; 814-231-7117) or
the State College Elks Home Health Service (P.O. Box 8, Boalsburg, PA 16827).
.
Joseph J. McDonald, Jr.
November 27, 1947 - January 1, 2021
Joseph James McDonald Jr. of State College, Pennsylvania,
passed away peacefully Jan. 1, 2021, at his home surrounded
by his family. He was 73.
Born Nov. 27, 1947, in Pittsburgh, Joe was raised in
Washington, DC, where he attended Oyster, Gordon, and Deal elementary and middle
schools, Woodrow Wilson High School (1966), and the Landon School, from which he
graduated in 1966. A decorated athlete and all-league selection, Joe honed his skills at
Washington's Jelleff Boys Club. He attended The Pennsylvania State University on an athletic
scholarship, before a knee injury prematurely ended his basketball career, and was a brother
of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. He graduated in 1970.
It was at Penn State where Joe met his best friend and devoted wife of more than 50 years,
Patti (Mingle), who survives at home. After marrying in 1970, the couple settled in Central
Pennsylvania, where they lovingly raised three children-Dana, Jennifer, and Matthew. Joe
owned his own insurance and real estate business and worked with countless families
throughout the Centre Region. A dedicated community citizen, Joe was a member of
numerous local organizations and volunteered on several community boards. He also was a
longtime boys' basketball coach, teaching and mentoring a generation of youth throughout
Penns Valley.
Joe was an avid sports fan and in retirement appreciated spending time with his family,
staying connected to longtime friends - including many from his early years in DC, golfing, and
taking trips to the North Carolina coast.
In addition to his wife, Patti, Joe is survived by his three children, Dana and her wife, Susan
Alden, Jennifer and her husband, Matthew Boal, and Matthew; three grandchildren: Zachary,
Alise, and Morgan Boal; and a loyal cat, Rascal Jack.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph, legislative representative for the United
Steelworkers of America, and Margaret (Spence); sisters, Dorothy Chen and her husband,
William, and Marjory Rugh and her husband, Kenneth; and parents-in-law, Jensen and Dorothy
(Gharret) Mingle.
All services will be private and under the care of Steven R. Neff Funeral Home in Millheim.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions in Joe's honor be made to the
Mount Nittany Health Foundation Cancer Care Fund foundation.mountnittany.org/give; Mount
Nittany Health Foundation, 1800 Park Avenue, State College, PA 16803; 814-231-7117) or
the State College Elks Home Health Service (P.O. Box 8, Boalsburg, PA 16827).
.
