MCDONALD, JOHN A. “JOHNNY WHEELS”

John A. “Johnny Wheels” McDonald, 66, most recently of Millville, NJ, departed this life with his daughter and life partner at his side on September 24, 2020 after a brief period of declining health. John will join his parents, John Sr. and Nancy (nee O’Leary) as well as his twin brother Tom, grandparents, and multiple aunts and uncles in heaven.John leaves to mourn his daughter Jessica Mafera of Key West, FL; his partner of the last 15 years, Lorraine Beebe of Villas, NJ; sister Anne Cushion (Joe) of Lexington SC, brother Kevin McDonald (Beverly) of Manahawkin, NJ, and sister Judith Babeu (Paul) of East Brunswick, NJ. John also leaves behind his twin brother Tom’s widow Pamela McDonald; his ex sister in law, Patricia McDonald; 8 nieces and nephews including Margaret Randolph and Michael McDonald, his Aunt Claire and Uncle Jerry, several cousins and his loving cat Maizie.John was born in Plainfield, NJ and grew up in Colonia, NJ. John operated several businesses in his lifetime including a meat market, restaurant, and a catering business in central New Jersey. John moved to Cape May County after unfortunate life events led to the need for extreme change. After some time, sheer determination and willpower, John was able to reinvent his life and rise from the ashes like a Phoenix. As a recovering alcoholic, he was sober for the last 18 years of his life.John worked in the Cape May Court House Acme and Lowe’s of Rio Grande for most of the last 15 years. He was known to everyone who met him as a fun-loving, kind hearted, caring, hard working person who loved life, loved to laugh and was dedicated to doing his best each and every day. John loved music, particularly Jimmy Buffett, the Allman Brothers Band, and classic rock; John loved to play poker and had fun traveling to places like Las Vegas, The Outer Banks, and Key West with Lorraine. John was fearless and fiercely dedicated to those he loved – John never backed down from a challenge and his trademark expression that it’s “another day in paradise” will always ring true for those who loved him.John never let his disability stop him from doing the things he loved and he was dedicated to giving back to the community. He was instrumental in the annual Cape May County Disabilities Awareness Day and ran a support group for amputees at Cape Regional Medical Center for several years.John will be deeply missed by all who loved him. John will be cremated and private services will be at a later date; donations in John’s name can be made to the American Diabetes Association or a charity of your choice.John lived life to the fullest and as sad as we are to say Aloha, rest assured John is having a good time because like Jimmy Buffet said, “it’s 5 o’clock somewhere” and John will be staying sober drinking a Diet Coke!