William ("Will") T. McDonough passed away on December 27, 2021 after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was 77.
Born in Woburn, MA, Will grew up in a large, close-knit family with four older sisters and two brothers. After meeting and marrying the love of his life, Cyndy (Packard) McDonough, he remained in Woburn to start a family before moving briefly to Gloucester and eventually settling in Rockland in 1986.
Will earned his Associate's degree from Wentworth Institute of Technology and returned to school years later to complete his Bachelor’s degree at Northeastern University. While he held a variety of jobs throughout his lifetime, he spent most of his career as a quality control manager for several technology and manufacturing firms, earning a reputation as a detail-oriented, hardworking, and loyal employee.
Will was an avid sports fan who enjoyed competitive pick-up games of basketball and football (often, to his wife’s consternation, with his much younger nephews and a rotating cast of his children’s friends) as much as he enjoyed rooting for the local pro teams, especially his beloved Patriots. He also found joy in art, reading, music, pickleball, and dancing. Even after Alzheimer’s had robbed him of the ability to do most things, Will would spring to life on the dance floor, bringing smiles to everyone around him.
Without question, though, Will's greatest love was his family. He was a proud and adoring father to his three children, Shelley (David) Kimelberg of Williamsville, NY, Darren (Melinda) McDonough of Modesto, CA, and Allyson McDonough of Charlotte, NC, as well as a doting “Papa” to his three grandchildren, Sophie Kimelberg, Brady McDonough, and Tyler McDonough. His kindness and generosity to all – but especially to his kids – were unmatched. Over the years, he moved his kids in and out of dozens of dorm rooms and apartments, cheered (loudly) at countless games, fixed whatever needed fixing, and served as a quiet, steady role model and friend. Most importantly, his enduring love and affection for his wife, Cyndy, were visible to all. They truly enjoyed each other’s company and were always on the go, whether walking one of their cherished dogs, riding bikes, or playing pickleball with friends. As his disease progressed, Cyndy was his tireless caregiver and constant companion, finding ways to keep him active and engaged until the very end.
In addition to his wife, children, and grandchildren, Will is survived by his brothers, John (Cindy) McDonough of Canton and Joseph McDonough of NH, his brothers-in-law Arthur Moody and Nicholas Girardi of Woburn, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was predeceased by his mother, Ann (Joyce) McDonough and father, Joseph McDonough, and his sisters Ann (Fred) Marshall, Mary (Lou) Valenti, Betty (Nicholas) Girardi, and Mildred (Arthur) Moody.
Will was dearly loved by so many and will be sorely missed.
Visitation will be held at Quealy & Son Funeral Home on Friday, January 7th from 4-7pm. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, January 8th at Holy Family Church in Rockland at 9:00am. Attendees are asked to please wear a mask at the visitation and funeral. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Will's honor to the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org).
To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of William T. McDonough, please visit our Tree Store.