Obituary for Ronald "Roger" McKay Sr.
SPRING HILL, FL Ronald “Roger” McKay Sr., beloved husband of JoAnn McKay passed away surrounded by his loving family on April 20, 2021.
Born on May 14, 1941 to Richard and Eva (Vautrin) McKay, Roger grew up in Cohoes, NY, the middle child of seven. He is predeceased by his brothers Robert, Donald, Richard, and Gary. He is survived by his sisters Shirley and Barbara.
He is also survived by his five children, Ron (Lyn), Kevin (Julie), Chris, Matt, and Amy (Ken), he was predeceased by his daughter Jody. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, Jenn (Shane), Christopher, Ronnie, Dale, Michael, Nicole, Avery, Madelyn, and Patrick.
He attended Keveny Memorial Academy, where he excelled at basketball. At the age of 18, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corp where he proudly served our country for four years. Just before re-enlisting, in 1963, he met the love of his life, JoAnn Jannicelli. They later married in 1964.
Throughout his life, he was an avid golfer, collecting four holes-in-one. In the 1970’s he was known as the “Bumstead Man”. In the 80’s he was an entrepreneur, owning McKay Brothers Motors with his brother Bob. In 1994, he then retired to assume his greatest role, Papa. He and JoAnn split their time between Spring Hill, FL and Cronin’s Golf Resort in Warrensburg, NY.
A lifelong New York Yankees fan, avid traveler, and food connoisseur, he and JoAnn spent their free time seeing the world. Throughout his life, he volunteered at many places, including, the Cohoes Community Center and St. Vincent DePaul (Spring Hill, FL). He was also a Eucharist Minister of Saint Marie’s (Holy Trinity) in Cohoes, NY. Roger always had a twinkle in his eye, a smile on his face, and a joke ready in his pocket.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated Friday, June 11, 2021 at 10 a.m. in the Church of the Holy Trinity, 122 Vliet Blvd., Cohoes. Interment will follow in the Saratoga National Cemetery, Schuylerville.
Relatives and friends may visit with Roger’s family Thursday, June 10, 2021 from 4-7 p.m. at the Fitzgerald Funeral Home, 105 Vliet Blvd., Cohoes.
Masks will be required and current pandemic regulations observed.
The family would like to thank his many doctors over the years, in particular Dr. Srinivas Hariachar.
In lieu of flowers, a contribution in Roger’s name can be made to the Stratton VA Medical Center, 113 Holland Ave., Albany, NY 12208 or Haley Veterans Hospital, 13000 Bruce B Downs Blvd, Tampa, Florida 33612.
Please note: the family would be honored to know you have made a contribution to the VA Medical Centers or to your favorite charity in Ronald's “Roger’s” name.
Born on May 14, 1941 to Richard and Eva (Vautrin) McKay, Roger grew up in Cohoes, NY, the middle child of seven. He is predeceased by his brothers Robert, Donald, Richard, and Gary. He is survived by his sisters Shirley and Barbara.
He is also survived by his five children, Ron (Lyn), Kevin (Julie), Chris, Matt, and Amy (Ken), he was predeceased by his daughter Jody. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, Jenn (Shane), Christopher, Ronnie, Dale, Michael, Nicole, Avery, Madelyn, and Patrick.
He attended Keveny Memorial Academy, where he excelled at basketball. At the age of 18, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corp where he proudly served our country for four years. Just before re-enlisting, in 1963, he met the love of his life, JoAnn Jannicelli. They later married in 1964.
Throughout his life, he was an avid golfer, collecting four holes-in-one. In the 1970’s he was known as the “Bumstead Man”. In the 80’s he was an entrepreneur, owning McKay Brothers Motors with his brother Bob. In 1994, he then retired to assume his greatest role, Papa. He and JoAnn split their time between Spring Hill, FL and Cronin’s Golf Resort in Warrensburg, NY.
A lifelong New York Yankees fan, avid traveler, and food connoisseur, he and JoAnn spent their free time seeing the world. Throughout his life, he volunteered at many places, including, the Cohoes Community Center and St. Vincent DePaul (Spring Hill, FL). He was also a Eucharist Minister of Saint Marie’s (Holy Trinity) in Cohoes, NY. Roger always had a twinkle in his eye, a smile on his face, and a joke ready in his pocket.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated Friday, June 11, 2021 at 10 a.m. in the Church of the Holy Trinity, 122 Vliet Blvd., Cohoes. Interment will follow in the Saratoga National Cemetery, Schuylerville.
Relatives and friends may visit with Roger’s family Thursday, June 10, 2021 from 4-7 p.m. at the Fitzgerald Funeral Home, 105 Vliet Blvd., Cohoes.
Masks will be required and current pandemic regulations observed.
The family would like to thank his many doctors over the years, in particular Dr. Srinivas Hariachar.
In lieu of flowers, a contribution in Roger’s name can be made to the Stratton VA Medical Center, 113 Holland Ave., Albany, NY 12208 or Haley Veterans Hospital, 13000 Bruce B Downs Blvd, Tampa, Florida 33612.
Please note: the family would be honored to know you have made a contribution to the VA Medical Centers or to your favorite charity in Ronald's “Roger’s” name.