Obituary of James A. MacTavish

MacTavish, James Allen "Mac" (86) of Delmar, formerly of Greenville, died on Wednesday December 24th, 2014. He was born on April 26, 1928 in Albany to Simon and Mary Cameron MacTavish. Mac graduated from Rensselaer High School in 1945. He then served in the United States Army as an M.P. stationed in Japan. After completing service, Mac attended Brockport State College where he received his Bachelor of Science in Physical Education. He later earned a Masters of Education from SUNY Albany. He married Amy Williams on June 29, 1957. They then moved to Greenville when Mac received a teaching position there. During his tenure at Greenville, Mac taught Health, Drivers Education, and for the majority of his career, Physical Education. He was made Athletic Director for the school in 1977. He was also on the negotiation team for NYSUT, as well as the building committee for the high school. During a period of over 30 years at GCS, "Coach Mac" coached the Varsity Baseball team, the Varsity Boys Basketball team for over 25 years, and for 30 years he was the Varsity Boys Soccer coach. During that time he had over 300 wins for soccer and over 250 wins for basketball. Mac was a life long Chicago Cubs fan, always waiting for the Cubs to win "next year". He enjoyed his Wednesday night poker games with his friends. After retirement, he enjoyed traveling with his wife Amy. They also had many happy days playing cards with their close friends, the Falkeys. Mac is predeceased by his parents and by his wife of forty-six years, Amy. He is survived by his four children, Bruce, Keith (Jennifer), Megan, and Ross (Kirstin). He was also blessed with seven grandchildren: Zachary (Heidi), Symon, Brian, Kali Jo, Bailey and Evan MacTavish, and Ashley Thompson. The family would like to thank the staff of Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Delmar for their care of Mac in the last year of his life. They would also like to thank his friends and former players and students who took time to visit him there. Calling hours will be held Sunday December 28th from 3 to 7pm at A.J. Cunningham Funeral Home, 4898 State Route 81, Greenville. A funeral service will be held the following day, Monday December 29th, at 11am at the United Methodist Church of Greenville & Norton Hill, 5830 State Route 81, Norton Hill. He will then be privately cremated. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Peter's Hospice, 315 S. Manning, Blvd., Albany, NY 12208, or the Greenville Rotary Club Scholarship Fund, PO Box 591, Greenville, NY 12083. Post a condolence at ajcunninghamfh.com.