Joseph "Joe Mac" McDonald (1917–1997) was an Irish-American mobster and a charter member of the Winter Hill Gang.
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Early life
McDonald was born in 1917 in Somerville, Massachusetts. He was a mix of Irish and Scottish descent.
Winter Hill Gang
McDonald was one of the originators of the Irish/Italian Winter Hill Gang and was a close friend and mentor to mob boss Buddy McLean and Howie Winter. A veteran of World War II, McDonald was a skilled contract killer. Along with twenty-one other associates, including Winter, McDonald was indicted on charges of fixing horse races in 1979. He subsequently went on to be a fugitive in Florida. Later, while on the lam, McDonald and associate, Johnny Martorano, murdered businessman Roger Wheeler in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Personal life
Joe had one brother, Leo McDonald, who was also a criminal affiliated with the Winter Hill Gang. McDonald died of a stroke in 1997.