George Thomas McDonald

George Thomas McDonald passed away on December 31st 2025, at Oak Park Place, Nakoma, in Madison, WI. He was born in Great Lake, IL.

George lived his whole life in Madison. He went to St. Ray’s grade school and graduated from West High School. He worked at St. Mary’s Hospital for forty-three years as a pharmacy technician. George played in an Irish band called, “The Irish Brigade”. He played the boron drum and also taught himself how to play the bagpipes. The band had a thirty-year reunion May Day weekend in 2005.

He lived with his dad, George Edward McDonald, and later lived with his grandparents Thomas Edward McDonald and Minie Sullive McDonald while his dad served in the navy for thirty years. George met Pam Reuter and they married on October 20th, 1996 with a rush wedding in their backyard, followed by a reception at the Rustic Tavern where they first met.

He made genealogy his hobby, tracing back to his Irish descendants in 1800 and had visited Ireland 10 times. George also traced his German heritage back to 1800, and he and Pam went to Germany and met sixty-four family members in sixteen days.

George is survived by his wife Pam Reuter McDonald, Patty (Jim) Pederson, Dennis (Lynn) Reuter, Mike Reuter, Jan (Jon) Berenback, Michelle Reuter, and in-laws Lisa (Dennis) Janke.

A celebration of George’s life will be held from 11:00 am until 4:00 pm Saturday, March 28, 2026 at the Labor Temple, 1602 S. Park St., Madison, WI 53715. It will be an Irish celebration, so please wear green!

Pam and George want to thank the staff of Oak Park Place Nakoma for the kindness, which was his last home. Also thank you to Bristol Hospice for their care and compassion.

P.S. Pam, George’s wife, sends him an Irish Blessing, and asks him to keep playing the heavenly bag pipes.

Cress Center

6021 University Ave. Madison

(608) 238-8406