RICHMOND – Mark Alan McDonough passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones at his home in Richmond on Jan. 23, 2023, after a valiant battle with cancer.

Mark was born on May 30, 1955, in Winslow, to James and Alexandria McDonough. He grew up and lived in Central Maine for most of his life. Mark graduated from Winslow High School in 1973 where he was a state champion wrestler. He went on to attend Maine Maritime Academy where he sailed to Russia in the mid-70s. Mark worked at Keyes Fibre Co. (Huhtamaki) before pursuing a career in real estate and property management. He was managing realtor at the Cosgrove Agency before becoming a founding member of Affiliated Reality. During his 40-plus years in real estate, Mark assisted thousands of families in the central Maine area find a place to call home. Mark was realtor of the year and served as president of the Kennebec Valley Board of Realtors as well as proudly serving on the Inland Hospital Board.

Mark married Barbara Cosgrove-Schwartz in 1976 and they had two children, Megan Kate McDonough and Matthew Adam McDonough.

During his youth, Mark served as an altar boy at St. John the Baptist Church and found his lifelong love of the outdoors. Mark was a fierce competitor, he enjoyed sports and was an avid tennis player. He took a particular liking to canoeing and fishing, notably at and around Fort Halifax Park in Winslow. Mark and his brother Jim had a special bond, spending countless hours together on the banks of the Kennebec. Mark was an exceptional gardener, growing dozens of varietals, most notably his garlic, brussels sprouts, squash and asparagus. He loved cooking, especially Greek variations of traditional dishes inspired by his mother, and a full breakfast spread on Sunday mornings. He often spoiled those he loved with his amazing fried brussels sprouts.

Mark was incredibly hardy, trustworthy, and earnest. He rarely overindulged and held the respect of many. His stoicism masked a playful side that included the construction of enormous snow forts in the winter and the curation of a popular haunted house in the fall for Halloween. He grew gigantic pumpkins and waged mostly fun-spirited battles with local pumpkin smashers. Mark loved old barns, he would often be found “in the barn”. Aside from gardening, his favorite activities included attending his children’s sporting events, long walks in the woods, following the local deer herd during the winter on cross country skis with his son, ping pong, hanging out at camp, cutting wood, and mowing the summer grass shirtless with the sun on his back. His favorite spot in Maine was atop Cadillac Mountain in Acadia.

Mark was predeceased by his father ‘Jim’ in 1986 and his mother ‘Allie’ in 2013.

Mark is survived by his longtime partner, Kathy Vaughn, of Richmond; children, Megan McDonough, of Vassalboro and Matthew McDonough of California; son-in-law, Dan Giroux, of Maine; brother, James McDonough and wife Beverly, of Winslow; sister, Kathy Jackson and husband Gary, of Winslow; brother, Todd McDonough and partner Nieves Moon, of Florida; grandchild, El Giroux, of Bar Harbor; several nieces and nephews and many other special friends.

There will be a celebration of Mark’s life at the Silver Street Tavern in Waterville this May.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of Aable Cremation Service, Waterville. An online guestbook may be signed, condolences and memories shared at http://www.aablecremationservice.com.

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