He started a number of businesses, one of which thrives today, but R.W. McDonald will most often be remembered for his love of life, dedication to family and ability to successfully interact with anyone.

McDonald died Wednesday at age 98.

“He was really charismatic,” said Jill Walls, his daughter. “He was really good with personal relationships and I think that's what made him so special.”

Walls said her father instilled an ethic of hard work in his four children as well, as they all grew up to start up businesses of their own.

“The gift my dad gave us was this entrepreneurial spirit,” she said.

McDonald worked diligently on every project he tackled, and didn't give up until he had reached his goal, Walls said.

“He was still on top of roofs working in his 90s,” Walls said. “He also loved to be on the tractor pushing dirt around.”

McDonald's family moved to Butler from Clarion County when R.W. was 9 years old, Walls said.

He quit school in eighth grade and worked his first job as a butcher at the A&P market in downtown Butler.

As an asthmatic McDonald was unable to join the military during World War II. But his job at the American Bantam Car Co. helped the war effort by turning out Jeeps.

By 1945 McDonald had been bitten by the entrepreneur bug, and started up the first of many businesses he founded in the county.

McDonald's Heating opened that year and expanded to include plumbing in 1950. In 1957, the business received the name it retains today, R.W. McDonald and Sons.

In 1962 McDonald built McDonald Motors and RV Sales on North Main Street Extension. Over the years he acquired automobile franchises with Volkswagen, Mazda, Nissan, Mercedes-Benz and Itasca Motorhomes.

“He was the largest Itasca dealer east of the Mississippi River,” Walls said.

In the 1970s, McDonald opened Volkswood Sales and Service, which sold Holly Park manufactured homes. He also opened the Volkswood and Pinehurst mobile home parks in that decade.

He sold his car franchise in the 1980s and opened the Clearview Flea Market on the property.

But McDonald was definitely not all work and no play, Walls said.

He began a lifelong hobby of roller skating at age 13, even forming a troupe and performing on skates in the region.

McDonald could often be found whizzing around the Clearview Flea Market on skates, greeting patrons and vendors.

“He continued roller skating throughout the years and finally hung up his skates shortly after his 90th birthday,” Walls said.

McDonald also was fascinated with aviation and owned many aircraft, from helicopters to seaplanes.

He loved fishing and boating with his family while visiting his homes on Lake Erie and Chautauqua Lake.

Duplicate bridge, a card game also known as contract bridge, was another hobby of McDonald's, Walls said.

He greatly enjoyed all his grandchildren, buying pygmy goats and chickens for his Cabot farm to entertain and teach them.

“We just had a blessed life,” Walls said. “He was a wonderful father.”

When remembering her dad, Walls said one thought will comfort her.

“He enjoyed his life fully,” she said.

There will be no visitation, and funeral services for R.W. McDonald will be private.