James Daniel MacDonald, of Williston and formerly of Underhill, passed away peacefully on March 25, 2024 at age 86.

Dan was born in Sydney, Nova Scotia on January 19, 1938, the third child of Hugh and Anne MacDonald. He moved to Bedford, Massachusetts at age 15 to help his aunt and uncle manage their farm. In Bedford he met the love of his life and future wife, Elizabeth Siekman. Dan graduated from Concord High School in 1956 and married Elizabeth in 1962.

Dan worked as a foundry manager, was a member of the National Guard Reserves and spent most of his career with IBM, but at heart he was a farmer and horseman. Dan and Elizabeth settled in Underhill in 1973 and soon collected several cows, pigs, various poultry, and a goat. Dan purchased his first Standardbred race horse in 1974 and was active in the Vermont harness racing circuit for many years. Following his racing years, he derived great pleasure from working with his Belgian Draft Horse, Nick.

Dan was a lifelong Catholic and longtime parishioner at St. Thomas Church in Underhill Center, where he was a member of the Cemetery Commission.

Dan is survived by his loving wife, Elizabeth, of Williston; his son, Paul, and wife, Nancy Skarmeas, of Hopkinton, NH; and his daughter, Rita Rivers, and husband, Tom, of Essex Jct. Dan was a devoted grandfather to Zachary Rivers (Clara), Emily Berger (Sage), Theia MacDonald, and Fiona MacDonald. His great grandchildren, Coralie and Henry Rivers, brightened his later years. In addition to his parents, Dan was predeceased by his brother, Paul, and his sister, Mary Jane Biekens.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Monday April 1 at 11AM at St. Thomas Church.

Donations in Dan's memory may be made to the St. Thomas Cemetery Commission to help support long term maintenance of the cemetery.

Dan's family would like to thank the staff at Bayada Home Health, UVM Home Health and Hospice, and Birchwood Terrace for their care and support.