Norwood remembers Timothy McDonough

The Town of Norwood lost resident, Assessor, Norwood Circle of Hope (COH) Board member and mainstay Timothy McDonough this past week.

McDonough was 61. He constantly volunteered for the Town, most notably for the Norwood Circle of Hope, dedicated to helping families in Norwood with medical and financial emergencies. He may be best known as the emcee of the COH’s signature event, Dancing with the Norwood Stars, along with former Norwood High School Principal George Usevich.

Usevich said he will be delivering at least part of McDonough’s eulogy on Thursday at his memorial Mass on Thursday, March 19 at 11 a.m. at St. Catherine’s of Siena. He shared an excerpt of this for The Record.

“Tim’s life was centered on faith, family and friends,” Usevich said. “He strongly believed in the power of prayer, he was a special dad, close to his siblings and he had so many friends who loved him. His accomplishments were many, a true leader who gave so much time helping others in his beloved Town. We would exchange phone calls almost daily and even during his illness, he remained positive. I will forever cherish the memories of doing Dancing with the Norwood Stars and the laughs we shared during the night. A proud moment came in December when Tim was honored by the Friends of St. Nick as the Person of the Year, a fitting award for someone who gave so much to others. I am honored to have been his friend, and his legacy will live on.”

COH member David Tuttle said McDonough’s dedication to the cause and those the COH helped was unassailable.

“His genuine caring about not just the people he knew, but their family members, and if he knew someone in your family was sick, getting married or having a baby, he always asked how they were going and had a good word to say about them,” he said. “He had an incredible memory. I was always amazed that he would always recognize people by their face but knew their names and knew people in their families’ names. I don’t know how he did it, it was just amazing that he could recall so much about so many people in and around Norwood.”

Tuttle said McDonough was a leader for the Town and the COH.

“He was one of our founding members and he certainly was a mentor to me in the 35 years I knew him, I always enjoyed being around him,” he said. “He was just always someone fun to chat with.”

Selectman Michael Saad said he’s known McDonough since they were children, and the families still keep in touch.

“We lost a Norwood hero and he’ll always be remembered,” he said. “I’ve known Timmy for 55 years I think, since he was 8 years old or 10 years old. They lived in South Norwood, just two houses from my fishing hole there. Great family, I’ve known them all and I love them all, but Timmy just gave so much to the community, always had a smile on his face he was just a typical great young leader. He was a gentleman and scholar and he will definitely be missed by not just the Town of Norwood, but all the surrounding Towns. He did so much for the people of Norwood and the people around us. He just kept giving and giving and giving and never asked for anything but help, love and support for the Town.”

Selectman Bill Plasko said he first met McDonough when the latter became a selectman in Norwood, and the two hit it off immediately.

“His big smile and interest in the town and position drew me to him immediately,” he said. “I served with Tim on the Board of Selectmen from 2000-2002. Again, his honest real interest in the Town and its people were always on display. When it became clear we were going to need a new Assessor, I called Tim and told him to get his application in without delay. I knew he was the right man for the job. I didn't think it possible but I gained even more respect and fondness for him talking with him, and watching how he dealt with his cancer.”

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Plasko said even in his battle with cancer, McDonough was not focused on himself.

“Through it all he never stopped thinking about the other guy,” he said. “Tim was one of the best. I will think of him daily, and miss him dearly.”

Town Manager Tony Mazzucco said McDonough only wanted to make his Town better for everyone.

“Tim was more than a longtime public servant to the Town of Norwood—he was a dear friend and a truly good man,” he said. “He gave so much of himself to this community, not for recognition, but because he genuinely cared about the people and the place we call home. His warmth, his decency, and his quiet strength touched many lives, including my own. Norwood is better because of Tim, and he will be deeply and sincerely missed.”

McDonough’s funeral mass will be held at St. Catherine’s on Thursday at 11 a.m., followed by internment at Highland Cemetery.