Jonathan "Jon" Ambrose MacDonald

Jonathan (Jon) Ambrose MacDonald, age 52, devoted father, son, brother, and beloved friend, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in Carlsbad, CA.

Born on October 27, 1972, in Boston, Massachusetts, to Michael John and Kathryn Mary (McFadden) MacDonald, Jon was raised in Madison, Wisconsin where he cherished his Midwest upbringing spending his winters playing ice hockey and downhill skiing and summers water skiing at the family cabin in Minocqua, Wisconsin. Jon attended Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic School and graduated from Edgewood High School in Madison in 1991. A highlight of his time at Edgewood was winning three Wisconsin Private School State Hockey Championships alongside his lifelong best friends as well as leading his team as captain his senior year. Jon continued his hockey career at Choate Rosemary Hall and at Union College before transferring to Boston College for his sophomore year. At BC, he dedicated himself to his studies, formed additional lifelong friendships, and graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1996. He went on to earn his JD from Duke University School of Law in 1999 and subsequently relocated to the San Diego area where he built a successful career in real estate law.

Above all, Jon’s greatest love and most cherished role was as a father to his four beautiful children: Sydney (17), Peter (15), Emily (15), and Benjamin (13), all of Carlsbad, CA. Jon is also survived by his devoted parents, Michael and Kathryn MacDonald of Madison, WI and Naples, FL; his sister, Michelle Eigner (Troy Eigner) of Edina, MN; his brother, Kevin MacDonald (Amy Ostendorf MacDonald) of Seattle, WA; as well as many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Jon will be deeply missed and forever remembered for his kind heart, gentle smile, humble manner, and unwavering character by all who loved him.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, July 26 at 11am with visitation at 10am at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 401 S. Owen Drive, Madison. A luncheon will follow at Nakoma Country Club 4145 Country Club Road, Madison.

Memorials may be made in Jon’s name to Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic School, Edgewood High School or Boston College.

Please share your memories at www.cressfuneralservice.com

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

3610 Speedway Road Madison

(608) 238-3434