Edward J. “Mac” McDonough, a former Baltimore Sun editor who later became a public information officer for the state Department of Emergency Management, died Jan. 12 of a massive heart attack at his Towson residence. He had recently turned 67.
“As PIOs, we worked together during the fatal Ellicott City floods in 2016,” wrote Candus Thomson, a former Sun editor and outdoors columnist, who later became PIO for the state Department of Natural Resources.
“There was a lot going on under an intense media spotlight. Ed was calm, cool and double-checked facts and arranged interviews with key players. Never a flash of ego or anger. A total pro,” Ms. Thomson wrote in an email.
Edward Joseph McDonough, son of Edward A. McDonough, an engineer, and Rose Corrigan McDonough, who managed the family home, was born and raised in Towson. After graduating in 1975 from Calvert Hall College High School, Mr. McDonough earned a bachelor’s degree in 1980 in journalism from Northeastern University in Boston.
He began his career in 1980 in sports information at what is now McDaniel College and then joined the staff of The Carroll County Times in 1983.
After leaving the paper in 1985, he worked for Whittman Publication for a year before joining The Sun in 1986.
In 1992, he left his sports writing career when named an assistant editor for the Carroll Sun, The Sun’s zoned edition.
In a farewell column bidding an end to his career as a sportswriter, Mr. McDonogh wrote, “My name and picture won’t be in the paper very much (a relief to most, I’m sure), but I’ll still be here polishing the copy of our top-notch news staff.”
But he didn’t move entirely away from sports and added the title of bureau sports editor to his duties, where he edited the work of bureau sportswriter Glenn Graham and freelance contributors.
“Ed was a kind and genuine man with an easy-going manner that was so much fun and comfortable to be around,” Mr. Graham said. “I was fortunate to have him as my first boss and I’ll be forever grateful because of his leadership, knowledge and support. It was invaluable while I learned the trade. In addition, he was a great friend whether we were throwing a ball in the newsroom or watching a football game and chowing down on wings.”
Ellie Baublitz, a former member of the Carroll staff, said: “Mac was a rare individual, a calm, steady even-keeled, top-notch editor who could handle even the worst situations with finesse; just an overall good guy you enjoyed being around, whether in the office or a social setting.”
“As deputy bureau chief in Carroll County, Ed calmed turbulent waters. He had an innate sense for who needed a pat on the back or a kick in the butt,” Ms. Thomson wrote. “He could deliver both.”
Mary Gail Hare was a neophyte news clerk in the bureau when she was assigned to cover a fatal CSX train wreck.
“Mac, the bureau’s news editor, had to deal with a truly inexperienced reporter, writing her first major news story on a tight deadline,” Ms. Hare said, who later retired from The Sun.
Mr. McDonough helped lead the anxious reporter to railroad, trucking company and police officials.
“I think Mac knew every trooper in the Maryland State Police Barracks in Westminster,” she said. “The story landed on the front page of The Sun the next morning. When it later won a prize for breaking news reporting, I distinctly remember the first congratulations came with an enthusiastic high-five from Mac.”
Mr. McDonogh left the newspaper and entered state service in 1998 when he became PIO for state Housing and Community Development. In 2003, he was named a PIO for the state Department of Emergency Management. He retired on Jan. 10 and died two days later.
“I am deeply saddened to inform you that Ed McDonough died overnight,” said Russell J. Strickland in a statement to MDEM staff. “Ed has been a constant presence in the Department and emergency management both in Maryland and around the country.”
“The night before he died, we were furiously messaging away about the Orioles’ chances, the Harbaugh brothers and his beloved Northeastern teams,” Ms. Thomson wrote. “I told him when he retired, I’d buy him tickets to the Beanpot Hockey Tournament so we could watch his teams and have dinner in Boston. ‘Just buy the women’s tickets,’ he shot back. ‘They’re cheaper and we can eat in a better dive.’”
Mr. McDonough was proud of his Irish heritage and in addition to being an Orioles and Ravens fan, he enjoyed history, music and drinking beer, and not necessarily in that order. He was a communicant of Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church, Baltimore and Ware avenues, Towson, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. Wednesday Jan. 22, 2025.
He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Angela Watters of Warm Springs, Georgia; a son, Chad McDonough of Sterling, Virginia; a daughter, Heather Sentz of East Berlin, Pennsylvania; three stepsons, Cody Watters and Seth Watters, both of Towson, and Matt Keyser of Springfield, Missouri; a stepdaughter, Amber Keyser of Reston, Virginia; five grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter. An earlier marriage to Connie Cornett ended in divorce.
Have a news tip? Frederick N. Rasmussen at [email protected] and 410-332-6536.
