Lawrence M. “Larry” McDonald
- “Quotes are from: The Wizard of Oz – to add a bit of Jocularity.”•
I, Larry McDonald, 84, of Philipsburg, Pa, died Monday, September 25, 2023, at Mount Nittany Medical Center, State College, Pa. “As Coroner I must aver, I thoroughly examined him, and he’s not only merely dead, he’s really most sincerely dead.”
I was born in Philipsburg, Pa., on February 20, 1939, a son of the late Robert J. Copeland and Mildred C. McDonald. Raised by my beloved grandmother, Rose Ann Garvey McDonald, until age 9 when I went to live with my mother and step-father, Metro Lego. “Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas any more.”
After graduation from Philipsburg High School Class of 1957, I enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served honorably for 4 years and was stationed at Otis Air Force Base, Cape Cod, Massachusetts. I was a staff car driver transporting many high-ranking government officials to the Kennedy Compound at Hyannis 
Port, Massachusetts during President Kennedy’s administration. “Lions, and tigers, and bears! Oh, my! ““Lions, and tigers, and bears! Oh, my! “
I was a graduate of Cleveland Engineering Institute and worked as an architectural draftsman, expediter, and project manager for many building projects in State College and Penn State campus prior to my retirement.
On May 28, 1960, in Philipsburg, Pa., I married the former Rose Marie Slother, my high school sweetheart, whom I first met at age 6 at catechism class; she was only 5. I always said that there has been a “Rose” in my life from day one starting with my grandmother whose name was “Rose Ann McDonald!”
My beautiful and ever-loving Rose Marie passed away on July 18, 2022 at Windy Hill Village. We had a little over 62 years of marriage. “While I was in love I was the happiest man on earth.”
A very supportive daughter, Denise Marie McDonald, of State College, Pa survives. Denise cared for her mother in a very special way and she devoted one bedroom of her house for my recuperation from a fall in which I broke my back.
In addition to my parents and Rose Marie, I was preceded in death by a son, Paul Martin McDonald, who died shortly after birth on May 6, 1968, and a son, Patrick L. McDonald, who died on January 8, 2019. I was the last of my generation. “My! People come and go so quickly here!”
I was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Roman Catholic Church in Philipsburg and The American Legion Post 0437 in Philipsburg. “Orders are nobody can see the Great Oz, not nobody, not nohow!”
The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Ss. Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church, 400 S. 4th. Street, Philipsburg, Pa, on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at 12:30 pm. Visitation will be at the church on Saturday from 11am until the time of the Mass.
Military Honors will be accorded following the Mass by members of the Philipsburg American Legion Honor Guard.
My ashes and Rose Marie’s ashes are to be co-mingled, “shaken, not stirred! Oops, that is Bond, James Bond”. Burial will be private and at the convenience of my daughter at Fort Indiantown Gap National Military Cemetery in Annville, PA.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in my memory may be made to a charity of your choice. “I can’t come back, I don’t know how it works! Good-by folks!”
My daughter wishes to express her deep and sincere appreciation for the excellent care, support, and compassion provided by Home Instead caregiver Marcella Clarice Carles and the staff at Mount Nittany Medical Center demonstrated in their caring for me.
To my friends: “Please remember Friendship is forever,…., forever!.” And, as Spock would say: “I have been, and always shall be, your friend.”
Online condolences may be submitted at www.beezerheathfh.com or emailed to my daughter, Denise at www.beezerheathfh@gmail.com.
My arrangements have been entrusted to the Beezer-Heath Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Philipsburg.
