Louis C. McDonald

    Louis C. McDonald, who retired from a career in distribution and freight management to live in Montauk and fish aboard his boat, the Hattaduit, died on Tuesday at home on Old West Lake Drive. He was 77 and had lung cancer, his family said.

    Mr. McDonald, who was known as Lou, was a member of the Montauk Friends of Erin and active with the Montauk Lions Club, among other organizations. He was a past commodore of the Wyncote Club in Huntington, an honorary member of the Joseph J. Gorman Knights of Columbus in Syosset, and a member of the Glendale Kiwanis Club.

    Mr. McDonald and his sons were frequent competitors in the Montauk Boatmen’s Association shark tournament, winning it three years in a row at one time, his son Brian McDonald of Dix Hills said. His father would always donate half his winnings to the tournament charity, Mr. McDonald said.

    Though he did not take charter passengers, Mr. McDonald said, his father had passed the lengthy examination to get a Coast Guard captain’s license.

    He was born on Jan. 2, 1936, in Jamaica, Queens, to Louis White McDonald and the former Anne Genevieve Edel. He grew up in Queens Village, where he attended school and met his future wife, the former Joan Estelle Booth, while in high school. He attended Manhattan College for one year.

    The couple married young, having five children. In addition to Brian McDonald, they are Kathleen Nikifor of Hopewell Junction, N.J., Ralph McDonald of Ronkonkoma, Daniel McDonald of Port Charlotte, Fla., and Gerard McDonald of Cudjoe Key, Fla. He also is survived by 10 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. A sister and a brother died before him.

    Visiting hours for him will be at the Yardley and Pino Funeral Home in East Hampton on Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m. Cremation will be private.

    The family has suggested memorial donations to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, Okla. 73123-1718.