Bad News: Dan McDonald

[NHRef]

Dan was such a quiet yet cheerful person. His passing is a tremendous loss.

I'm a bit confused by earlier postings. Is the funeral service on Sunday?

[snid]

I, too, have a "chasing Dan" story. On the way back north after the "The Italian Job" pre-screening south of Boston. I followed Dan up the interstate for a good stretch. I slowed when I noticed that we had blown past a cruiser parked on the shoulder. No real reaction from the cruiser or Dan.

I also seemed to run into him often at MINI of Peabody, and he always seemed to have food to deliver there.

[hwy61]

Sad news, Dan was a fine friendly individual ...

[MGB Boy]

What a crappy week in our little corner of MINIworld...

-Ricardo

[pappillon]

Condolances to Dan's family, friends and all those in the MINI2 community who knew and loved him.

[AprilWhine]

Condolences to the family, he was much too young to be gone.

[manwithnoname]

Very sad news. I would like to echo what others have said and offer my condolences to his family.

[jwardell]

I always remember Dan as a short friendly guy who loves minis so much he has a bunch of 'em.

The first memory of him in my head is when I think I first met him at the 2004 Charles run.

I remember him tearing out of the ice cream parking lot at the end, but was too quick for me to snap a pic. Everyone else followed suit and I did get photos of others moving at half his speed.

My next memory is at MAMA II where we stopped at one of the abandoned covered bridges. God only knows how he got his mini down the steep embankment to set up a perfect photo of his mini.

In my memory he is standing right next to his mini there with a big smile on, but when I searched sadly that is not captured in the photo.

[BWROOFCHEX]

this is truly terrible news, such a nice man and so young, it doesn't seem right. Dan's family will be in our thoughts and prayers.

[GBMINI]

Many thanks to Scott @ MoP, just sent me this link:
Memorial Obituaries McDonald, Walter

... Walter D. “Dan” McDonald, died unexpectedly on April 16, 2007 at his home. He was born December 12, 1959 at Elliot Hospital in Manchester, NH ...
... He had a collection of Mini-Cooper automobiles including a newer model and two vintage vehicles and was pleased to be a member of various Mini-Cooper organizations. He looked forward to the annual Mini-Cooper climb of Mount Washington ...

Calling hours will be held on Sunday, April 22, 2007 from 4:00-7:00 PM at the Brewitt Funeral Home, 2 Epping Street, On the Common, Raymond, NH 603-772-3554. To sign an on-line guest book, please visit www.brewittfuneralhome.com
Services will be held on Monday, April 23, 2007 at 11:00 AM at the Raymond United Methodist Church, 51 Main St., Raymond, NH 603-895-2265.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dan’s memory to the Greater Manchester Family YMCA, 30 Mechanic Street, Manchester, NH 03101.

[Sheenabea]

This is so saddening to hear. Dan was one of the first people I met at my first MINI event last July. He included us right in with the conversation and made us feel welcome. My prayers are with his family...

[MoPRep]

Quote: I also seemed to run into him often at MINI of Peabody, and he always seemed to have food to deliver there. end Quote

Sorry all, I haven't figured out how to use the "quote" feature, so I just cut and paste. I am one of the newer employee's at MINI of Peabody (been here almost 2 years) and I distinctly remember the day I met Dad. It was my first week working at MoP, and Dan knew that I was new. Dan came up and introduced himself to me, and warmly welcomed me into the MINI community. He always remembered my name, and made a point to shake my hand each time he visited the dealership. He was known around MoP as the "Dan the muffin man" as he always brought in delicous snacks for the employees here. Both will be missed.

Another brief story about Dan - I was closing down the dealership late one night with Hrach, and we were on our way out the door when Dan came screaming into the parking lot. He had been working and needed to use the restroom. We reopened the dealership and ended up staying another hour plus just hanging out and talking. I'm so glad I did stay instead of hurrying home.

Dan is already missed here at MoP. As a testiment to Dan and his love for MINI's - his boss called the dealership to notify us, knowing his love for his car, our employee's, and the MINI community. I'm always so impressed with the MINI community to step up to the plate, even when sadness surrounds us. It really is like a family in so many ways.

[snek]

Quote: Originally Posted by rfinprc (original)

Ah, Dan catching up. The Big Dig run a few years back went on from Boston out to the western burbs, with a stop at Decordova Museum. Here we were, all lined up in this pretty tranquil parking lot in the woods, and in came Dan, racing to catch up, wheels spinning and sand flying. We honored him by making his car the centerpiece for a group photo. Sorry I don't have a copy to share. Anyone?

And when asked, Dan said he went to get his car washed! (But he really made a wrong turn on 128 )

[LePew]

Again we lose another member of our family, so young, so energetic, always the "life of the party." We should always remember his fondness for red cars:

http://www.mini2.com/forum/1489195-post25.html

They do go faster, you know.

Godspeed Dan. There is a pristine classic Austin Cooper S waiting for you just past the pealy gates.

[Aqualung]

Terrible news, like others, my first impression of Dan was getting out of my car at MoT in the Loon lot, he screeched in, parked himself next to me, introduced himself and made me feel welcome. Truly a unique and special individual.