Mark MacDonald left this world November 7, 2024 in peace and with so much love from his family. 

 

Mark Lee MacDonald was born July 5, 1960 in San Francisco. He is the son of Norman MacDonald and the late Marilyn Lee MacDonald as well as the late Susana MacDonald (step-mother) and grandson of John A. and Georgia O. MacDonald and Harry E. and Frances Milroy Lee all of San Francisco, CA. 

 

A graduate of Westmoor High School in Daly City, CA, Mark spent many years of his young adult life in New York City pursuing careers in advertising and finance. It was in New York in a small pub in Gramercy neighborhood where he met his mate of 29 ½ years, John. 

 

Relocating back to the Bay Area in 1998, Mark and John embarked on their journey together, settling in the East Bay in Alameda and Oakland. He acquired degrees in law and medical coding from Heald College. As a resident of Oakland for 26 years, he was an active member of St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, volunteering as liturgy reader, usher, and his favorite, working in the kitchen creating hot meals for the needy for Saturday Food Pantry. 

 

Mark’s interests were varied and diverse. His love of international travel along with his vast knowledge of languages made travel rewarding and easy to connect with locals, scoring the best seats on the tour bus or the best tables in a restaurant. He was classically trained in piano, but his passion was the pipe organ. Only Mark MacDonald would buy an organ meant for a church and bring it into the house playing pieces from his favorite composer Johann Sebastian Bach. Many will remember him for his dazzling pastries he created: wedding cakes, birthday cakes, pies, quiches, and even Bûche de Noels.  

 

Employed by the University of California Office of the President, Mark excelled at a highly skilled and high pressured position of settling and resolving daily trades. It was at UCOP where he made life-long friends. 

 

Surviving are his spouse of 29 ½ years, John Munnerlyn, father Norman MacDonald of Merriam, KS, brothers Pete MacDonald of Seattle, WA and Paul MacDonald of Vivian, LA. He is also survived by nieces and nephews Nicole Turner, Joe MacDonald, Ruby Aguilar, Leah Smith, Louis MacDonald, Andrew MacDonald, in-laws Thomas, Cathy, Susan, and Mary Ann and a multitude of grand nieces and nephews.  

 

A kind, generous, loving, deeply spiritual, and fiery soul, Mark loved all animals as they loved him, especially cats. Mark was happiest with a purring kitty resting on his lap. Donations may be made in his name to Friends of Oakland Animal Services. www.friendsofoas.org

 

John would like to thank Nicole Turner, Mary Ann Lykins, Reverand Jim Dahlin, Katy Howard, Danny Norwood, John Dea and Arthur Guimaraes of University of California Office of the President, and the medical staff at Kaiser San Leandro ICU for their love, kindness, and support. 

 

Vaya con Dios, Marco. You are so loved and will be missed by many.