MERLIN JOSEPH MCDONALD

Merlin Joseph McDonald of Tsi Snaihne passed away on April 30, 2019 at his home. He attended Snye Day School and then worked various construction jobs prior to joining the housing department of the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne from 1980 until his retirement in 2004.

In 1971 he married the former Heather Holdridge in Wilbraham, Massachusetts. He built his house on McDonald Road as well as many houses for MCA.

He is survived by his wife, Heather, five children; Michael, Michelle, Melissa, all of the Syracuse area, Gordon (Waffle) and Joanna from Akwesasne, and a chosen son, Karahkwiio, ten grandchildren and several great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his son Mitchell in 2016, his father Joseph, and many Aunts, Uncles, and cousins.

Merlin loved building things including bird houses, chicken coops, and an eight inch wide cat deck on the back of the house so the cats could escape into the house if harassed by a dog, his garage, and the wood shed. He loved to sit outside and watch the birds that lived in the woods that surround the house and when he could no longer leave the house, he watched them from the windows, tossing bread to them. He especially liked the big flock of turkeys who spent all winter roosting in the trees and eating from the shelter he built so they wouldn’t have to dig through the snow.

After cremation his ashes will interred in the new garden when it is completed. In place of flowers; plant a garden, build a bird house, put up a hummingbird feeder, plant a tree--he would appreciate that.

The family is grateful for the assistance of the Home Support Program and the Hogansburg Akwesasne Fire Department and their tribute to a long-time fireman.

Messages of condolences may be left at http://www.lahaiesullivan.ca