Specialty Food Association member Michael Clark McDonald, founder of brokerage Capitol Specialities and former director of sales for the specialty food division of Smithfield Foods, has passed away at the age of 69. McDonald started his career in sales with Liberty Richter, which led him to start Capitol Specialties in 1985. He ran Capitol Specialties until 2007, when he joined Smithfield Foods, where he worked until he retired in 2020.
Friend and colleague Pete Booker met McDonald in 2001, when Booker was hired as vice president and general manager of Smithfield Foods. Back then, McDonald was serving as broker for The Peanut Shop of Williamsburg, one of the company's regional brands.
"When I was new to the company, Michael took the time to explain to me why specialty food was so integral to our everyday food experiences and why he loved it," Booker told SFA News Daily.
After learning about McDonald's experiences, connections, and passion for the industry, Booker knew that he would be a good fit at Smithfield.
"Michael was much more than a sales manager," said Booker. "He was passionate people person. That personal touch was instrumental building lifelong relationships internally and externally for us."
McDonald's love for his family, as well as good food, brought him and Booker closer together, and their families soon became close friends, according to Booker.
McDonald also enjoyed spend time on the golf course with his brothers and close friends, as well as cheering on his favorite sports teams. Upon retirement, he realized his dream of moving close to the beach to spend more time on the water.
Booker shared that McDonald taught him "to not take things for granted but enjoy the ride."
He noted, "The ride will be bumpier without him, but I will continue the ride as he would have wanted!"
McDonald is preceded in death by his father, John McDonald. He is survived by his beloved wife, Michelle McDonald, and children, Tanya Hartman, Mareesa Welch, Devon McDonald, and Baylee McDonald, along with their spouses Richie Hartman and Justin Welch. He is also survived by his mother, Doris McDonald, and brothers, John McDonald, Kevin McDonald, and Todd McDonald, along with their spouses Louise McDonald, Debbi McDonald, and Pam McDonald. He is also survived by his loving nieces and nephew, Chris McDonald, Kristi Berk, Olivia Allread, and Mallory McDonald.
A Celebration of Life will be held in Maryland at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in his honor to Tunnel to Towers Foundation or if you would like to help Michael complete his dream of providing a debt-free undergraduate degree for his two youngest children, contributions can be made via GoFundMe.