Neil J. Macdonald, 95, of Bremerton, died Sept. 2, 2016 in Tacoma, Washington. Neil lived in the Bremerton area for the past 26 years. Prior to that, he was a resident of Bainbridge Island, Washington for 43 years. Neil was born in San Francisco, California in 1921 and attended public school in California. He then graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a degree in engineering.

After graduation the Navy stent him to the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana for Officer’s Candidate School. From there he went to the South Pacific via the China Clipper leaving from Treasure Island, California to Honolulu, Hawaii and then on to Emeru to join the 61st Construction Battalion for the remainder of World War II.

On completion of his Naval service, he moved to Washington state where he worked on the Washington State Development Board as an advisor to Governor Mon Walgren. Eventually he opened his own firm in Seattle with satellite offices in Juneau and Anchorage. His offices specialized in earthquake resistant design, doing work nationally as well as internationally.

Neil retired in 1989. He was an avid golfer. He was a member of Wing Point Golf and Country Club on Bainbridge Island with his beloved wife Bernadine and when moving to Bremerton, they became members of Kitsap Golf and Country Club.

After his retirement Neil and Bernadine spent winters living in El Centro, California, sometimes leaving as early as Halloween. Highlights of Neil’s life, other than his love for his family, was playing golf on the Old Course at St. Andrews, Scotland and a hole in one at Rio Bend Resort where he and Bernadine lived in California.

Neil is survived by Bernadine D. Macdonald (nee Dutra), his wife of 72 years. He is also survived by three daughters, Andara Macdonald of Silverdale, Washington, Dale (Robert) Galosich of Anchorage, Alaska, Kerry (Edward) Dobbelaere Jr. of Bremerton, Washington. Neil was blessed with eight grandsons and one granddaughter, 14 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Neil J. Macdonald and Bessie Mae Macdonald (nee Fogg).

A celebration of Neil’s life will be at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24 at Bay Point Retirement Community, 966 Oyster Bay Ct., Bremerton, Washington. Burial will be at noon Monday, Sept. 26th at Mount Tahoma National Cemetery, 18600 SE 240th St., Kent, Washington. The family suggests that any memorial contributions be made to Group Health Hospice or the charity of your choice. Arrangements are being provided by Weeks’ Dryer Mortuary, Tacoma, Washington.