James McDonald, CBE, LVO, KC*SG, KMCO, JP, DL,
Belfast. November 2019. The Delegation of Great Britain and Ireland of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George notes with much sadness the passing on 6 November 2019, aged 82, of James (Jim) McDonald.
Jim McDonald was a longstanding supporter of the Constantinian Order in Ireland attending events and supporting charitable causes associated with the Delegation in Belfast, Dublin and London. He was appointed a Knight of Merit with Star of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George by decree of HRH Prince Ferdinand, Duke of Castro on 23 April 2004.
Jim was a prominent Northern Irish Catholic who served as Chancellor of the Association of Papal Orders in Ireland. He was appointed by Pope Francis as a Knight Commander with Star of the Pontifical Order of St Gregory the Great in 2015 having previously held the rank of Knight Commander since 1995.
Jim McDonald served as Chairman of the Royal Ulster Constabulary George Cross Foundation and served for over 40 years at a senior voluntary level within The Prince’s Trust and The Prince’s Youth Business Trust in Northern Ireland. He was appointed by The Queen as a Deputy Lieutenant for the County Borough of Belfast. Jim was the former Chief Officer of the Labour Relations Agency and the Independent Assessor of the Military Complaints Procedures in Northern Ireland between 1997-2007.
In recognition of this work he was honoured in Britain through his appointment by Queen Elizabeth II as a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire and as a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order.
His funeral took place on 9 November 2019 at St Brigid’s Parish Church, Malone Road, Belfast. Several members of the Constantinian Order attended the funeral mass.
He will be greatly missed.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam. Rest in peace. Requiescat in pace.