LIMA — A.D. “Sandy” MacDonell, a man who had a passion for Lima, died Wednesday in Lima. He was 90.
MacDonell was involved in many community and civic organizations including the Salvation Army, St. Rita’s Medical Center, the YMCA, Rotary Club, United Way and Shawnee Country Club.
“Sandy MacDonell was really an exceptional community leader. In his capacity as president of the Metropolitan Bank, he made possible all sorts of economic development initiatives in our community,” said Mayor David Berger.
The Metropolitan Bank, which was chartered in 1890, was the last locally owned bank in Lima. MacDonell’s father was co-owner of the bank.
“My dad grew up with parents who valued community service. They were great role models. He also knew that what was good for the community was also good for the Met Bank. I remember him saying, ‘you have to do well in order to do good,’” said Parker MacDonell, Sandy’s son.
MacDonell was known for being a quiet, humble man who shied away from the limelight.
“He was just this quiet giant,” said Bill Blewitt, former chief executive officer of the Lima Family YMCA.
Like the E.F. Hutton commercial, when MacDonell talked, people would stop and listen.
“When anybody talked in a room, Sandy would be quiet and listen. But when he did speak, he said just a few words and you pretty much memorized and listened to everything. It was just dead silence in the room when Sandy finally spoke,” said local attorney Steve Romey.
MacDonell was quiet, but used his talents to get things done in the community.
“Sandy and I met in 1996. He never was an outspoken person. I called him a quiet catalyst in the community. He could quietly get things done behind the scenes where nobody else could. I always appreciated being able to listen to his advice,” said Blewitt. “He was my friend, he was a mentor and he was an inspiration to me.”
MacDonell was instrumental in the building of Veterans Memorial Civic Center as well as the new Lima Family YMCA.
“In his philanthropic activities, he was both a leader and personally generous individual. He was certainly the power behind the creation of the establishment of the Civic Center and Lima YMCA and any other institutions in our community,” said Berger. “He will be very, very sadly missed.”
Romey was brought on board as a young attorney whose help was needed in acquiring property for the YMCA to be built upon.
“He’s the guy in town that I probably respect more than anybody else,” said Romey.
Romey last saw MacDonell on Saturday when he bestowed upon MacDonell the Triangle of Honor. This is an award that is given to the very elite, most helpful and most influential people at the YMCA.
“His dad received the award early on, probably number two or number three person to have ever received it. Sandy would have been probably around number eight or number nine, but he continuously refused it. He finally accepted it Saturday, and he is probably number 21. The YMCA has been around 130 years; they don’t give them out like candy. He definitely earned it,” said Romey.
Giving so much of himself was second nature to MacDonell.
“I think Lima was just a passion to him. He was so committed to Lima in every respect. He made his living in the community, but at the same time he felt he wanted to give back because he had gotten so much. Lima will miss him,” said Blewitt.
Reach Merri Hanjora at 567-242-0511
