Ronald McDonald

Ronald G. McDonald, 86, the “Real Ronald McDonald” and 46 year resident of the Hillsboro community passed away on May 6, 2026, with family beside him in the loving care of Open Sky Adult Foster Care and Tenderly Hospice Care. Ron bravely lived with ongoing heart related issues and terminal cancer with faith and fierce determination.

Ron was born January 30, 1940, in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. He was the first of six children born to Hugh Gordon and Greta Marguerite McDonald (Horne). Ron was raised primarily in Kingston but also lived for a time in Wolfe Island Township, Frontenac, Ontario, Canada (where his mother was born) until he moved to Southern California as a teenager. Ron graduated from Lakewood High School in Long Beach, CA and immediately began working in the automotive industry.

He met his future wife Rochelle at Lakewood Auto Parts in CA. He loved to share the story about the day he met her; he knew immediately he wanted to marry her! They dated for a short time and were united in marriage on January 19, 1962. They made their first home together in Paramount, CA and started a family soon thereafter. Together, Ron and Rochelle had three children, Christine, Catherine and Ronald Jr.

Ron thoroughly enjoyed his lifelong career in Sales and Marketing. He spent many years at P. & D. Manufacturing Co. and The Bendix Corporation while living in Phoenix, AZ, Kirkland, WA and Placentia, CA where he honed his admirable work ethics. Ron was a natural born leader and man of integrity, mindfully pragmatic, resolute, and an exemplary mentor who quickly became a successful leader-coach Manager during his career. He frequently traveled throughout the U.S. having the opportunity to work side by side with like-minded individuals he nurtured along the way and subsequently became lifelong friends with. His inherent friendly personality, curiosity, passion for learning and willingness to help others were essential to how he always conducted himself.

He developed an appreciation for the Great Northwest from his many years of hunting and fishing trips to OR, WA and AK and longed to move his family to the region permanently. In 1979, Oregon became home for he and his family in search for a greater quality of life and to pursue one of his personal goals and proudest business accomplishments. He and Rochelle owned and operated Caffee Automotive Supply in Beaverton, OR from 1979 to 1992.

Shortly after selling their business, Ron’s connections in the automotive industry steered him into a new career opportunity with Allied Distribution Exhaust & Specialty. He was very proud to help lead a successful expansion of their business in Oregon with his extensive industry knowledge and established relationships. He traveled thousands of miles by car across the State making a difference wherever he was needed. His happy co-pilot, a vintage Ronald McDonald character hung on his dashboard and remained alongside him throughout his business travels, during his retirement adventures as well his health related journeys. Many miles and fabulous memories were accumulated along the way.

At age 70, he was able to enjoy unlimited time with his beloved soulmate Rochelle, family, friends and neighbors, complete more woodworking projects, and was able to pursue more fully his lifelong mission to “love and serve others”.

Ron absolutely loved volunteering at St. Vincent de Paul in Hillsboro most of all; not surprising to those who knew him, he was President for three years. While volunteering, he discovered a special interest and knack for updating donated computers and getting them into the hands of anyone in need; it became a new passion of his. Just days before his passing, he pointed out a donated computer in his room that he needed to get updated. That’s how Ron was, even at the end of his life, still giving and living his mission to “love and serve others”. He believed the encounters he had with those being served could change lives, not only theirs, but his as well. The joy he received was contagious; his hope was to have inspired everyone to carry on his mission; it’s what he wanted most to be remembered for.

He was also proud to be a member of The Knights of Columbus, a frequent volunteer at the St. Matthew Fall Festival and many other parish related events as well as being a faithful advocate for Right to Life and Birthright of Hillsboro.

Ron was so well loved and very easy to love. His friendly personality, charming smile, the twinkle in his beautiful blue eyes, his fabulous sense of humor and laugh, his loving warm hugs, and always giving nature are incomparable and lasting. He was certainly memorable not only for his famous name but more so for being the kind, generous and loving man God created him to be. He had a life changing, deep commitment to his Catholic faith and the Eucharist since his conversion in 1978; he was devoted and truly believed it helped guide and prepare him for eternal life. It was a great comfort to his family when he shared he was ready for his journey home as he felt his life and work here was complete.

Ron is preceded in death by his faithful wife of 64 years Rochelle, parents, two sisters, three brothers and a great grandchild.

He is survived by his three children and their spouses, Christine and Eric Erling of CA, Catherine and Dale Miller of Portland, Ronald Jr. of WA, five grandchildren: Ryan, Ashley, Stephanie, Andrew, Michael and six great grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews and faithful circle of extended family, loving friends and kind-hearted neighbors.

In lieu of flowers, we pray you will consider a donation to an especially meaningful aspect of Ron’s life; St. Vincent de Paul Society of Hillsboro, a dedicated organization in Christ’s love to serve those in need.

https://www.svdphillsboro.com/donations--donaciones.html