Donald H. McBride Obituary
Donald McBride, 88, of Gloucester, passed away on October 8, 2025, at the Beverly Hospital.
Donald was the loving father of Donald McBride, Jr. and his long-time loving partner Teresa Baranow Garney and the late Lauren McBride.
As a young man, Donald took wood-working classes at a Boston High School that prepared him for a long career buying and selling furniture; after serving in the Marines during the Korean War, he spent time at Berkeley School of Music and even participated in the Marines band. His knowledge of modern furniture was legendary, a culmination of a lifetime of running antique businesses or side hustles. His store McBride's in Allston was a local institution, "a heaven for unique antique collectors and jazz lovers alike," because in addition to furniture, he had an area to play his music - his true love. A local newspaper captured Donald's joy and good fortune to balance both business and music for 35 years before closing the doors of his store in Allston: "McBride loves antiques, the cluttered mess, stacked to the rafters, stuff on top of stuff….My basic reason was surviving so I could just play,….".
Donald and his dear friend Nat Freedberg opened a vintage furniture store in Gloucester called Fabola. He played in a local jazz band, the Jazz Dynamics, at the West Gloucester Trinitarian Congregational church.
Donald left his beloved Allston area and created a new community in Gloucester, living on the ocean on Moorland Road before moving to Senior Living at Pleasant Street, enjoying his daily jaunts to Dunkin' and his favorite place in Gloucester, A Second Glance, where he enjoyed the company of Jim, Morgan, Evan and the rest of the staff evaluating furniture and identifying its roots, sometimes making a "deal.". Don loved helping people and gave furniture to those who needed it. His gentle nature and laugh will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
He leaves long term partner, Nancy Fisher of Gloucester and dear friend, Mike Hawkins. Donald was the son of the late Marie (Binda) and Francis L. McBride of Boston; twin brother, of the late Dolores A. Woodford; brother of the late Francis Donlon of Virginia and the late Lawrence McBride of Boston; loving brother of Bernice "Bunnie" Krueger of Middleboro; uncle to many loving nieces and nephews, Lisa & Dave Jolicoeur of Mansfield, Jerry Murphy of Middleboro, Patricia & Mark Harrison of VA, John & Patricia Donlon of MD, Matt Donlon of FL; Jennifer & Brent Chambers of VA; Lynn O'Brien & Butch of FL; Mark Woodford and Paola of TX and many great nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held in the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester on Saturday, November 8, 2025, from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm with a service immediately following. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend.
His burial will be held in Bourne National Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Open Door Food Bank , 8 Emerson Avenue.
Gloucester, MA 01930 or to Cape Ann Veterans Services, 9 Dale Avenue, Gloucester, MA 01930.
Cape Ann Veterans Services9 Dale Avenue, Gloucester, MA 01930 Donate to Charity Open Door28 Emerson Avenue, Gloucester, MA 01930 Donate to Charity Keep Donald's legacy alive by donating to a charity in need.
