Bad News: Dan McDonald

[Cape Cod MINI]

The church service on Monday was gut wrenching but very, very cathartic.
His family was so pleased that we came with the MINIs. They even held a place of honor right at the church with the hearse() for us. We hung around after the service and chatted with family for an hour or more and shared lunch in the church hall.
Dan's Mom hopes to have his MINI at MOT in June and of course his nephew James will be coming up from FL to attend too.

[Actual Size]

..and make sure you seek out Dan's mom..she's one fantastic woman.

[holdenontoit]

Quote: Originally Posted by Actual Size (original)

..and make sure you seek out Dan's mom..she's one fantastic woman.

It's true then: "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree"

[Cape Cod MINI]

I heard from Dan's Aunt Arvella today.
Dan will be buried on Saturday May 12 @ 2 p.m.
I will be there to represent Dan's Mini friends and invite you to join me.

[NoNo]

I'll be at the Charity Ball across the pond, but I'll take a moment of silence in his memory.

[jcsinnh]

Have a good time, NO
And let the folks know that Dan McDonald was one of the earliest and strongest MINI supporters we have over here as well as being just a terrific person and even better friend.

[GMINI]

amen that.

[Cape Cod MINI]

Another sad day, but a good one overall. It was good to see Dan's family again and made to feel a part of their family.
The weather was once again perfect and that often bodes well when grieving a loved one.
The Piper was there again and his playing was fantastic. He stood off in the distance and it was really touching when he played Danny Boy. Do you know the story of the piper, his daughter's 16th birthday and Dan's MINI? If it wasn't mentioned before on this thread we'll have to do that someday.
Anyway, I asked permission from Dan's sisters and they whole heartedly agreed that I could place something on Dan's casket. His Mom, Amanda was all for it and very happy to let me have my farewell. I had two MINI Cooper S sill plates for a couple of years given to me by Jeffrey Baker. I put double sided tape on them and one now graces each side of Dan's casket. Wrote "God Speed, Danny" on one and "Motor On , Dan" on the other. I'm glad his family approved and I know Dan loves it too.
You can see the photos here: Flickr: Photos from capecodmini I had a nice stroll through the cemetery with Dan's Mom and we had a nice chat. She is looking forward to coming to MOT this year in Dan's MINI and really feels a connection with us.

[jcsinnh]

Good for you for being there, Steve-O. I do feel sorry for Dan's wonderfully strong Mom...now missing that ear. A nice stroll and chat indeed

[Jester's mom]

Thank you Steve for sharing.

Dan will be missed and I know our 3 friends are up there looking down on us, helping us in our own ways to motor on.

[Actual Size]

Glad you could be there Steve and so sorry we couldn't. I was however, privileged to have a nice talk with Amanda on the phone last week. What an amazing woman.

[NoNo]

As promised, our table raised our glasses to a fine man. Although I got a bit choked up trying to explain why we were doing it, I think they understood.

[MaxaMiniBro]

Every time I spend some time away from this forum, we seem to lose another valued member. My belated condolences to Dan's family and the MINI community on the loss of another MINIer.
Mart had mentioned to me about Dan passing, and it wasn't until I saw the pictures that I realized who we had lost. He was a really fun and funny guy.
I had the same feeling when I had come on the forum and saw that Jackman, and then Ruthie had left our circle of friends.
Very sad, but it is also very heartening to see how this group pulls together in times like this. I remember seeing the first instance of this when I went to Ed's service at the funeral home and saw the many MINIs in the parking lot. You folks are the best!

[NoNo]

Well I think we know what the answer is now don't we? Stop leaving us, and bad things will stop happening. You're the glue that holds us together, Bert!

[yellowmininy]

What she said. No pressure, Bert!