Bruce Anthony McDonald

Bruce Anthony McDonald, 63, of Ithaca, NY, departed peacefully on October 19, 2025, at Cayuga Medical Center in Ithaca, NY. The son of the late Enid Gordon and Samuel McDonald, Bruce entered this world in Kingston, Jamaica, on July 30, 1962. He attended elementary school at Chetola Park in Green Island, Jamaica, prior to immigrating to the United States in 1976, where he would go on to attend Junior High School at P.S. 59 in Queens, NY, high school at August Martian High School in Queens, and college at the City University of New York’s Borough of Manhattan Community College.

Bruce worked as a chef at Laguardia Airport in New York City before moving to Ithaca, NY, where he would find work as a chef at Cornell University and share his culinary skills with the youth at the local community center, GIAC. After spending some time cooking at Wells College in Aurora, NY, he went on to work as a chef at many local restaurants in Ithaca, including The Boatyard Grill, Simeon’s, and The Rose. He was one of the first cooks at Agava and went on to retire from here in 2020. In between his work at local restaurants, he found time to cater events, run a pop-up market, and own his own restaurant called Ya Mon in downtown Ithaca. Prior to his passing, he was in the midst of opening another restaurant.

Bruce had a passion for food and for sharing and teaching his culinary expertise. He also loved art—especially sketching, music, and his family.

Left to cherish Bruce’s memory are his wife, Donya Welch; children, Shakea Renee Welch, Kaliyma Antonette McDonald, Marcia Elaine McDonald, Bruce Anthony McDonald, and Elizabeth Marie Welch McDonald; siblings, Yvonne Bartley and Milton McLean; siblings by choice, Kevin McLeish and Thomas J. Brown; and his beloved four-year-old pet, Onyx. In addition to his parents, Bruce was welcomed into Heaven by his sister, Marcia Hanson.

Family and friends are invited to a homegoing service led by the Reverend Nathaniel Wright from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Friday, November 14, 2025, at Calvary Baptist Church, 507 North Albany Street, Ithaca, NY 14850. Following the service, Bruce will be laid to rest in Frear Memorial Park in Ithaca.

Lansing Funeral Home is assisting Bruce’s family with funeral arrangements. To view a livestream of the service, please visit cbcithaca.org or the Calvary Baptist Church Facebook page.

For those who wish to make a contribution to the family to assist with funeral and cemetery expenses, please use the crowdfunding link below.