Christopher Lee McDonald Jr.

It is with indescribable sadness that we announce the passing of Christopher (Chris) Lee McDonald Jr. on December 22, 2025 at the age of 55, after a long and bravely-fought battle with Multiple Sclerosis.

Chris was born in Detroit, Michigan on February 12, 1970, the son of Christopher McDonald Sr. and Ramona McDonald.

Chris's undeniable charm and presence could not be contained from the very beginning, making himself known to the world at the age of 2 when people all around Michigan opened their mailboxes one summer day in 1972 to discover an adorable, freckled redhead modeling clothes in the Kmart catalog.

Chris grew up with a Catholic education, starting at St. Fabian in Farmington Hills, spending his formative years at St. Michael's in Livonia, where he began playing the clarinet, and then going on to attend Catholic Central of Detroit, Alumnus Member Class of 1988.  There, he learned of his enthusiasm for various additional interests and hobbies, including acting, singing in the Glee Club and joining the CC barbershop quartet.  Also, with Coach Rod's tutelage, Chris became an excellent wrestler.

His teenage years weren't all just about school activities.  He also loved and collected Spider-Man comics as a teenager and was fascinated with Bruce Lee, perhaps born out of respect for a fellow diminutive warrior.

Chris then attended Michigan State University, graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, and turning his attention to the hospitality industry, gaining experience managing restaurants and entertainment venues in Okemos and East Lansing.

In 1996, his passion for the restaurant industry drew him to Chicago where he thrived as a connoisseur of hospitality and good service for 25 years, and serving as an integral component in the exponential growth of Chicagoland's Timothy O'Toole's franchise.

Chris grew up an avid fan of the Detroit Lions and Tigers, and having adopted Chicago as his second home, also became a fan of the Chicago Bears and Cubs, for which we'll all just have to forgive him.

Chris was also a loving and doting parent to three beautiful and incredible children: Christoper Lee McDonald III, Elizabeth Cathleen McDonald, and the dearly-departed Taylor Christine Holecek-McDonald.  His favorite activities as a father included going to the beach, movie nights, arcade nights at FTW, dinners at Garcia's Mexican restaurant, and game nights that included bordering-on-diabolical-level scavenger hunts invented for Christopher and Elizabeth, which we're relatively sure he did just as much to amuse himself as to entertain his children.

Chris's incredible heart, spirit, wit, sense of humor, sense of duty, kindness and friendship will never be forgotten.  The playful, funny and loving son, brother, father, uncle, partner and friend will never be forgotten.  His tenacity and bravery in the face of profound adversity and unfathomable loss will never be forgotten.

No matter how you knew Chris, he loved you with all of his heart, because that's the only way Chris knew how to love people.  We pray that wherever Chris is, he has found peace, he has been reunited with those he has lost, and he will watch over us all, with every ounce of the love and appreciation he had for every single person in his life.

Chris is survived by his loving family, including father Christopher McDonald Sr. and mother Ramona McDonald, brothers Eric (Caroline) McDonald and Robert McDonald II, sister Katherine (Brian Woodcox) McDonald, and stepmother Debra McDonald.  Chris was also a beloved uncle to nieces Jordan McDonald-Carroll, Grace McDonald and Bailey Woodcox, great-uncle to nephew Ezekiel and niece Riley, and nephew / god-son to aunt Barbara McDonald.

Chris also leaves behind numerous special friends and honorary members of the McDonald family, including Justine Egert, Stan Zajdel, Amy Putzke, Vanessa and Chris Thun, and many, many others.

Chris is preceded in death by daughter Taylor, Christine Holocek-McDonald, uncle / godfather Joseph Riollano, aunt Donna Menard (nee McDonald), grandparents Cenen & Catalina Riollano and grandparents Robert & Mary McDonald.

In lieu of flowers, the McDonald family requests that memorial contributions be made in Chris's name / honor to CanDo-ms.org, a Multiple Sclerosis charity organization offering free programs and resources that help people living with multiple sclerosis and their care partners make each day the best it can be.

Services for Chris will be held Saturday, December 27th from 12:00pm to 8:00pm at Fred Wood Funeral Home, 36100 Five Mile Rd., Livonia, Michigan 48154, with visitation from 12:00-6:00pm, Rosary at 6:00pm, and memorial service at 7:00pm.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Christopher Lee McDonald Jr., please visit our floral store.