WESTFORD — When Bernie MacDonald passed away last year, he left behind more for his family than a business. He left a legacy.

MacDonald founded Quality Automotive Accessories in 1978 and ran the company well into his 80s. The Westford-based business, which designs and manufactures its products locally, has been around for over 40 years and specializes in making specialty auto parts to restore or enhance the look of vehicles. 

“He was a great businessman — very detail-oriented, very good with people,” son-in-law and QAA president Darrin MacGillivray said.

After MacDonald passed, MacGillivray took over in running QAA. MacGillivray has worked at QAA for 19 years and is committed to keeping the family business alive.

While MacGillivray now runs the day-to-day operations, QAA is co-owned by MacDonald’s two daughters, including MacGillivray’s wife, Kimberley. MacGillivray said that running the business since MacDonald’s passing has been a challenge, but that his father-in-law left them in a good position. 

“He left us with no debt,” MacGillivray said, “So we have no debt to worry about now, we can just worry about trying to grow and moving forward.”

A Community Man

MacDonald wasn’t just a businessman; he was a beloved member of the Westford community. After moving to Westford around 1972 and building his business, he became a well-known face around town.

“My father-in-law was very involved in town,” MacGillivray said, “He was well known, he would go to Kimball’s and Muffins on Main…and people just kind of knew who he was, he was involved in that way.”

MacDonald involved himself in the town in other ways, too. MacGillivray said that his father-in-law never missed the opportunity to give back to the community. He was the kind of person who would help someone if they asked, and supported many donations and fundraisers.

One of MacDonald’s biggest contributions to the community was his 30-acre property, complete with a pond and scenic grounds. MacGillivray said that neighbors and residents would often come to fish in the pond, take prom and wedding photos or walk the grounds. 

“Again, he was very involved in that way. From his profits from his business, he was able to own that nice property, but he shared it with all of his neighbors,” MacGillivray said.

Lifelong Labor of Love

MacDonald always loved cars and had a passion for them, said MacGillivray, which was perfect for his business. MacDonald had always worked in the car business; he started in inventory and, after working hard, was quickly promoted. 

However, MacDonald found that he did not enjoy working for others and decided to start his own business.

“My wife (Kimberley) always says, ‘Dad just got sick of working for people.’ One day, he just took all his suits and said, ‘I’m not working for anybody anymore, I’m starting my own business,’” MacGillivray said.

MacDonald never quit working for his business, though he slowed down. Though he started letting others take more of a lead as he made it into his 80s, MacDonald still made time for major decisions and oversaw the day-to-day functioning at QAA.

Continuing The Legacy

QAA is important to MacGillivray because it is a family business; it’s important to him and his wife, and their family, to keep it going. Now, MacGillivray wants to continue to see the business thrive.

“Obviously, with the business, we want to create a good product at a good price with good customer service,” he said.

Looking ahead, MacGillivray said they all want to continue to do their best to keep MacDonald’s legacy alive.

“We want to keep that legacy going,” MacGillivray said, “Surround yourself with people you trust, take care of them do good in the world (MacDonald) said, and that was important to him so those are kind of ringing in my head and my wife’s head,” MacGillivray said.