Joseph E. Donald, Jr. ’64

https://www.fairfaxmemorialfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Joseph-Edward-Donald-Jr?obId=43166531

Joseph Edward “Bud” Donald, Jr., died peacefully on June 28, 2025. Bud is survived by his 8

children: Joseph Donald, III, Mary Anne Eaton (Jeremy), Patrick Donald (Beth Anne), Stephen

Donald (Kate), Kerri Donald, Timothy Donald (Kristen), Kelly Hayworth (Bradley), and

Christopher Donald (Alicia); their children: Heather Lloyd (Isaiah) and Christian Donald,

Jonathan and Samantha Robinson, Patrick, Jr., Connor, and Collin Donald, Jack (Amanda),

Molly and Grace Donald, Lyla Donald, and Carly Martin (Remy); and great-grandchildren Leo

and Brynlee. He is also survived by his sisters, Betty Ann and Mary Jane, brothers Jim, Bob,

and Jeff, as well as many in-laws, out-laws, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by

his parents, Joseph and Marion Donald, and his beloved wife of 56 years, Patricia Anne “Trish”

(McSorley) Donald.

Bud was born on September 9, 1942, in Hackensack, New Jersey. He graduated from

Ridgewood High School in Ridgewood, NJ, where he excelled in soccer and track. In fact, he

might tell you that he gained the state record for the 220-meter high hurdles in 1960, a record

he holds to this day; he might not tell you that 1960 was the last year that race was run.

He continued his education at St. Michael’s College in Winooski, Vermont from which he

received a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. At St. Mike’s, Bud was Captain of his

soccer team and all-state (Vermont) in 1963; in 1964, he was the first recipient of the Victor

LeMieux Athletic Award for leadership and loyalty. During the Air Force ROTC Summer Training

program, Bud received the Vice Commandant’s Award for Outstanding Achievement and was

selected as the most outstanding individual in Flight A, Langley Air Force Base, honors which

earned him the rank of Cadet Colonel, the rank held by the highest-ranking cadet in the Cadet

Wing. It was during these years that he met Trish; they were married on August 28, 1965, and

moved to Homestead, Florida, for the duration of Bud’s service in the United States Air Force.

They continued to build their lives in Fayetteville, NY, and later in Rockaway, NJ where they

resided for many years until moving to Springfield, VA, in 2004. He received his MBA from

Fairleigh Dickenson University in 1976.

After leaving the Air Force, Bud worked in Human Resources for many years. He held ever

progressing positions at Mutual of New York, US Lines, Hoffman LaRoche, and Horizon Blue

Cross and Blue Shield of New Jersey. His last positions, and arguably his favorite, were at the

U.S. Office of Personnel Management where he was the Assistant Director of Retirement

Services and then Assistant Director of Human Resources Consulting Program Center for

Talent Services.

During his retirement, he enjoyed taking road trips with Trish and later fulfilling his lifelong

dream of traveling the United States by long distance rail, seeing the country from the ground

and simply enjoying the ride and the views.

Pop, as he was affectionately called by his family, was involved in community service his entire

life, believing in the importance of giving to others. Most recently, he volunteered as a

Eucharistic Minister, a lector, a Stuffologist, and with the Knights of Columbus at Nativity

Catholic Church in Burke, VA. For many years he served as a Boy Scout Leader and carried his

Order of the Arrow membership card in his wallet along with his Veteran’s ID. He was a long-

time member of the church council at Sacred Heart in Rockaway, NJ, a dedicated soccer coach,

and a fair and honest soccer referee. He pursued all of his endeavors to the best of his abilities

and was proud to consider his children his finest achievements.