A graduate of the Warren Business College, he spent the next twenty years working in the oil refining business, then in the retail busines, with a short time spent employed in the retail business.
He married the former Susie Estes in Warren in 1944.
Rev. MacDonald was born into a Methodist family, but later became involved with the Episcopal Church through singing in the choir at Trinity Memorial Church in Warren. His interest in the church grew under the guidance of Father Beecher Rutledge. He felt the call of God to the Episcopal ministry, and though the MacDonalds were now the parents of two sons, he entered the University of Western Ontario and earned the BA degree and then to Huron College for the Bachelor of Sacred Theology degree.
He was ordained Deacon during his final year in seminary by the Right Reverend William Crittendon, Bishop of the Diocese of Erie. He served as curate of St. George's Church, London, Ontario. He was instrumental in founding the Church of the Transfiguration, Orchard Park, a mission of St. George's.
After graduating from Huron College in 1960, he was ordained a priest by Bishop Crittendon, and was assigned to Grace Church, Lake City, Pennsylvania.
In june of 1962, he accepted the call to become the rector at St. James, where he remained until March of 1976. Rev. MacDonald then became the rector at Church of our Saviour in Dubois, Pennsylvania. In june of 1980, he became the rector of St. Stephen's Church, Armonk, New York, where he served until his retirement in December of 1987.
The MacDonalds moved to Arizona to enjoy their retirement.