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The WSCFF is grateful for
the time and effort Stephen put forth in creating and
maintaining the
Fallen
Fire Fighter Memorial proudly displayed in its former
sight on the State Capitol
Campus.
Stephen will be missed.
Stephen Mark
“Mac” Macdonald passed away peacefully in his
Centralia home on Saturday December 6, 2008
surrounded
by his closest friends.
Mac was born in Centralia on December 29, 1949. He
graduated from Centralia High School in 1968 and
attended
Centralia
College. In February 1973, Mac began working for the
city of Centralia in the Street Department. In March
of 1978,
following his father’s footsteps, he began working as
a firefighter in the Centralia Fire Department where he
spent the
next 28 years retiring in June 2006.
Mac was an avid collector of fine antiques painstakingly
furnishing his 1910 craftsman home with décor
reflecting
the era. He
was also particularly fond of buying, selling, and
collecting firefighting antiques and historical
photographs
and memorabilia of Centralia and Moclips, Washington. He
has donated his antique firefighting
collection
called his “keeper” collection to the Riverside Fire
Authority which will be displayed ultimately at the
Pearl street
fire station in Centralia. Mac was instrumental in
establishing the Washington State Fallen Firefighter
Memorial
displayed in the John Cherberg building on the Capitol
Campus. He was also recognized for his
contributions
and historical consultation on an award winning project
by three Centralia High School students in the
early
1990’s which remains on display at the school today.
An excellent marksman, he enjoyed the long-range
shooting challenges offered in the sport of varmint
hunting in
eastern
Montana. To this end, and true to his obsession for
accuracy, the rifles he used were all custom made by the
finest gunsmiths in the
industry. Mac was intelligent and confident. He had
impeccable taste and insisted on detail, character
traits that, all together, put him at social odds with
some, but given enough grace, many others reaped the
benefits of his wisdom.
Perhaps one of his most
fulfilling activities was fire safety education. Even
after his retirement, Mac continued to
don his fire
department uniform to assist the Singing Fireman as the
“Stately Firefighter.” Many will remember him
as the
handler of Abby, the firehouse dog, in public education
performances in public and private schools, the
Timberland
Regional Library and at the SWW Fair.
He was a member of the National Rifle Association (NRA),
The Varmint Hunters Association Inc., Society for the
Preservation
and Appreciation of Antique Motorized Fire Apparatus in
America (SPAAMFAA), and until his
retirement,
the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF).
Stephen Macdonald is survived by a brother, Michael E.
Macdonald (wife Patricia) of Las Vegas Nevada, a nephew,
Marvin
Macdonald, also of Las Vegas, Nevada, and an Aunt, Alta
Ross of Kent, Washington. A gathering
celebrating
his life will be held on a future date.
A special thanks for all of his care to Bob and Ann
Shirer, Steve Freeman, Gary Bilodeau, and Elizabeth.
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