Matthew McDonnell
March 21, 1953 – November 10, 2024
Matthew McDonnell, of Sun City Center, passed away at his home on Nov. 10, 2024, with his family at his side. He was born March 21, 1953, and spent his early years in Virginia, Minnesota. Shortly after he started school, the family relocated to Spokane, WA. He spent many happy times growing up in the valley, the Fairchild Air Force base and on the Gonzaga campus. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the Navy and spent the next nine years on “tin cans” from Vietnam to San Francisco.
He soon married and welcomed son, Christopher, and daughter, Nichole, into his life. He left the Navy and settled in Vancouver, WA, as he gradually moved east. The Columbia River and a boat were always a part of his life.
His career in electronics engineering prospered, and he worked with Union Carbide and then transferred to Siltronics, Inc. He retired in 2012.
Mac’s true loves were family and music, and our lives were filled with both. As the 1990s approached, Mac was working during the day and playing music at local jams many evenings. During this time, he began a business called Day's Journey Music Co. This led to many adventures over the years. We spent over thirty years in the beautiful Columbia River Gorge with our home full of pre-teens, teens, grandchildren and, then, parents and always music.
The blue skies of Florida became very appealing, and we followed his parents to Florida. Mac fell in love with the water and all the local music. He became a member of the Front Porch Pickers and spent many happy hours playing his songs.
Matthew was preceded in death by his parents, Mark and Mary McDonnell, and a brother, Gregory McDonnell. He is survived by sisters, Louise Labonte (Robert), Susan Hastings (Robert) and brother, Michael McDonnell. He is also survived by his wife, Victoria McDonnell; his son, Christopher McDonnell, and daughter, Nichole Terry (Greg); stepchildren, Melissa Wilson, Curtis Hyland (Brandi) and Courtney Jones (partner Ryan); and ten much loved grandchildren, Brendon, Taylor, Trent, Justin, Brooke, Dawson, Ryan, Morgan, Matthew and Braxton.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the National Cremation Society at 308 E College Ave. in Ruskin, FL, on Jan. 13, 2025. This will be followed by a military service at Sarasota National Cemetery.
He soon married and welcomed son, Christopher, and daughter, Nichole, into his life. He left the Navy and settled in Vancouver, WA, as he gradually moved east. The Columbia River and a boat were always a part of his life.
His career in electronics engineering prospered, and he worked with Union Carbide and then transferred to Siltronics, Inc. He retired in 2012.
Mac’s true loves were family and music, and our lives were filled with both. As the 1990s approached, Mac was working during the day and playing music at local jams many evenings. During this time, he began a business called Day's Journey Music Co. This led to many adventures over the years. We spent over thirty years in the beautiful Columbia River Gorge with our home full of pre-teens, teens, grandchildren and, then, parents and always music.
The blue skies of Florida became very appealing, and we followed his parents to Florida. Mac fell in love with the water and all the local music. He became a member of the Front Porch Pickers and spent many happy hours playing his songs.
Matthew was preceded in death by his parents, Mark and Mary McDonnell, and a brother, Gregory McDonnell. He is survived by sisters, Louise Labonte (Robert), Susan Hastings (Robert) and brother, Michael McDonnell. He is also survived by his wife, Victoria McDonnell; his son, Christopher McDonnell, and daughter, Nichole Terry (Greg); stepchildren, Melissa Wilson, Curtis Hyland (Brandi) and Courtney Jones (partner Ryan); and ten much loved grandchildren, Brendon, Taylor, Trent, Justin, Brooke, Dawson, Ryan, Morgan, Matthew and Braxton.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the National Cremation Society at 308 E College Ave. in Ruskin, FL, on Jan. 13, 2025. This will be followed by a military service at Sarasota National Cemetery.