Charles Henry McDonald, 89, of Sullivan, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 10, 2026. Born in Keene, NH, on June 19, 1936, he was the son of the late Henry and Carrie (Silver) McDonald of Harrisville.

Charles grew up in Harrisville where he attended grade school and graduated from Keene High School in 1954. Charles started a family and worked various jobs as well as being a volunteer for the fire department in Harrisville until 1971 when he then moved to Keene.

Charles' love for fire fighting continued and he later attended the NH Technical College where he earned an Associate in Applied Science Degree Fire Protection class of 1976. His passion for Fire Protection led him to work as a NH Fire Safety instructor and a dispatcher for Southwestern NH Fire Mutual Aid for 10 years. After his time in fire protection, he opened his own general contracting business, McDonald Contracting, for 20 years until his retirement.

Always an outdoorsman at heart, he was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved spending time with his family taking his children camping often when they were young. His calm, strong nature shaped his children's lives and everyone he knew. Charles had a love for photography and would spend every morning taking photographs of the birds that landed on the feeders in his window.

He is survived by his sons Douglas McDonald and wife Michele of Sullivan, NH, James McDonald and longtime partner Laurie Madden of Keene, NH; daughters Holly Malcom of Keene, NH, Vicki White of Keene, NH; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

Service information to follow.

Arrangements under the care of Cheshire Family Funeral Home, Chapel, and Crematories. www.cheshirefamilyfh.com.