Courtesy Photo Alpena County Commissioner Ronald McDonald is seen in this undated photo provided to The News. He died overnight today.

ALPENA — Alpena County commissioners are mourning the death of one of their own after Commissioner Ron McDonald died unexpectedly overnight at his home.

He was 77. The cause of death wasn’t released to the public.

McDonald was first elected in 2015 and was seeking a third term in November, running unopposed as a Republican.

Alpena County Clerk Bonnie Friedrichs said the county board has 30 days to appoint a replacement for McDonald to serve through the end of the year and the Alpena County Republican Party has until Sept. 1 to nominate a new candidate to appear on the November ballot.

Commissioner Marty Thomson said he has known McDonald his entire life, and Thomson’s wife is a first cousin of Peggy McDonald, the late commissioner’s widow.

Thomson said McDonald was a dedicated father of two sons and a daughter, and loved spending time with his grandchildren more than anything.

“He was probably the most beloved grandfather possible, and he did everything for and with his grandchildren,” Thomson said. “He raised farm animals for them to be a part of in 4-H, taught them how to hunt and get their first buck, and he just had a wealth of knowledge to pass on to them, and that is exactly what he did.”

McDonald was born and raised in the Alpena area before moving to near Detroit, where he ran his own flooring business specializing in wooden floor installations and refinishing, Thomson said. McDonald moved back to the area in the early 1990s and became a critical part of the community, he said.

“He was a very giving and generous person, and also very sincere,” he said. “His heart was always in the right place, and he will be greatly missed.”

County board Chairman Bob Adrian said McDonald was a committed commissioner who could always be counted on to offer a voice of reason on hard issues, and had steller attendance at board meetings. He said he got to know McDonald fairly well while serving with him on the board and valued the talks they had.

McDonald served on the county board’s Airport, Personnel, Ambulance and Insurance committees. He was chairman of the Insurance Committee.

Whoever takes McDonald’s place will have big shoes to fill, Adrian said.

“He was always kind and enjoyable to be around,” Adrian said. “I enjoyed our conversations about county issues, but even more so about his personal life and things he enjoyed. We will miss his experience on the board, and that will be very hard to replace.”

Commissioner John Kozlowski said he was shocked to learn of McDonald’s death and will always remember McDonald as hardworking and dedicated. He said McDonald cared deeply for those who lived in the Alpena area, and always made decisions based on what they shared with him and what he thought was the best for everyone.

“I was shocked and still am,” Kozlowski said this morning. “This will be a huge loss for his district, the board, and the entire county. He cared deeply about the county and everyone in it and always did things for the right reason.”

McDonald served the county’s District 6, covering Maple Ridge Township, a small portion of Long Rapids Township east of M-65, and a small portion of Alpena Township.

Alpena County Republican Party spokesman Jesse Osmer said McDonald represented the people of the county admirably, and he, and his professionalism, will be missed.

“We are saddened to learn of the passing of Commissioner McDonald, who served honorably on the board representing the people of his district for the last several years,” Osmer said. “On behalf of the Alpena County Republican Party, I offer sincere condolences to his family, friends and constituents.”

Osmer said he expects the party will meet next week to consider candidates to replace McDonald on the ballot.