Torbert Macdonald
Torbert Hart Macdonald (June 6, 1917 – May 21, 1976) was an American Democratic politician from Massachusetts. He represented the northern suburbs of Boston, including his home town of Malden, in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1955 until his death in 1976. Macdonald was a close political and personal ally of President John F. Kennedy, his former roommate at Harvard College.
Torbert Macdonald
8th district (1955–1963)
7th district (1963–1976)
June 6, 1917
Everett, Massachusetts, U.S.
May 21, 1976 (aged 58)
Bethesda, Maryland
Torbert H. Macdonald, Jr.; Laurie Macdonald; Brian Macdonald; Robin Macdonald
Attorney
Torby, The Needle
Personal life, death, and legacy[edit]
Macdonald married actress Phyllis Brooks on June 23, 1945, in Tarrytown, New York.[3] They remained married until his death. He and Brooks had four children, the eldest of whom (Torbert Hart Macdonald Jr.) was President Kennedy's godson. The other children were Laurie, Brian, and Robin.
Macdonald died at Bethesda Naval Hospital (Bethesda, Maryland) after he had ordered doctors to remove life‐support systems. Macdonald was interred in Holy Cross Cemetery in Malden, Massachusetts.
The memorial stone dedicated to Torbert Macdonald was originally dedicated in 1984 by the Italian Heritage Society but moved to the Macdonald Stadium facility and placed alongside the memorial of Torbert's late father, John G. "Jack" Macdonald, for whom Macdonald Stadium was named.[4]
Macdonald was portrayed by actor Stan Cahill in the 1993 television miniseries JFK: Reckless Youth.