Keith G. W. MacDonald passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on September 7, 2026, in Phoenix, Ariz., following a courageous journey with heart failure. Born on September 17, 1952, in Newport, Vt., to Joan Hemingway MacDonald and Malcolm William MacDonald, Keith will be remembered for his strength, determination, deep devotion to family, adventurous spirit and love of sports, particularly the Yankees!
Keith studied business administration at Suffolk University in Boston and Tarrant County College. After beginning his career in technology at the Harvard Coop, he discovered a passion for the restaurant industry. He built a successful career in restaurant management, which took him across the United States, working in Boston, Florida, Texas, Northern and Southern California, Nevada, and Arizona. Known for his fun-filled personality, Keith was loved by the employees he led. He brought dedication, experience and a sincere belief in helping others succeed. His commitment to creating opportunities for people with disabilities earned him the City of San Francisco’s Distinguished Employer Award.
Keith believed in giving back to his community and generously volunteered his time in several meaningful ways. He helped with dog adoptions, supporting efforts to find loving homes for dogs in need. He also volunteered at the Peoria Sports Complex during spring training, combining his love of baseball with his enjoyment of serving others. In addition, Keith participated in scholastic internship programs for school children, sharing his time and encouragement with young people.
His adventurous spirit led him to train for skydiving, reflecting his courage, curiosity and willingness to embrace new experiences. He loved exotic travel, particularly his journeys in Southeast Asia. Each relocation throughout his career brought him new places, people and experiences that he embraced with enthusiasm. Wherever life took him, he made it an adventure. From a young age, Keith also excelled on the golf course, where his natural talent and love of the game remained a lifelong source of enjoyment.
Above all, Keith treasured his family. He is survived by his brother, John MacDonald, and his wife, Lise, of Swanton, Vt.; his sister, Heather MacDonald Greene, and her husband, Douglas, of Rancho Mirage, Calif., and Vancouver, Wash.; his niece, Katie MacDonald, and her husband, Dave Huffman, of Jericho, Vt.; and his nephew, Derek MacDonald, and his partner, Krista Evans, of South Burlington, Vt.; along with cousins in the UK and Canada.
Keith’s warmth, humor and willingness to help others will be deeply missed by his family, friends, colleagues, and all who knew and loved him.
A celebration of Keith’s life will be held in Vermont next summer.