Alexander J. McKillop Jr.

1922 - 2014

McKillop, Alexander J., Jr.

Alexander J. McKillop, Jr. died at home in Tappan on August 4. His family was with him. He had celebrated his 92nd birthday on June 11th. Mr. McKillop was the son of Alexander J. McKillop, Sr. and Mary Ellen Donovan McKillop. Raised in Queens, Mr. McKillop excelled in academics and athletics at Bishop Loughlin High School and at Manhattan College, which he entered in 1940. During World War II, Mr. McKillop was stationed in England as a member of the 8th Air Force, and he was commended for meritorious wartime service. In England, he married Patricia D'Arcy, and last December they celebrated their partnership of 68 years. In 1947, Mr. McKillop graduated from Manhattan College, and he continued his professional education through graduate-level courses at Columbia University's Teachers College. He began his teaching career at Regis High School, and later, the majority of his career was devoted to teaching English at New York City's School of Printing. Mr. McKillop retired in 1981, but he continued teaching part-time in local high schools. The McKillops lived in Shanks Village, Orangeburg, beginning in 1947, and in 1955 they moved to Tappan. Mr. McKillop was active in community service, including participation in the founding and development of the Tappan Library, and support for Tappan's Boy Scout program. He was an avid swimmer and tennis Instructor, and a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. He was also an active parishioner, first of St. Catharine of Alexandria Church in Blauvelt, and later of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church in Tappan. Mr. McKillop is survived by his wife, Patricia; his sons Peter and Gregory and his wife Patricia; his grandchildren Elizabeth and Daniel and his wife Stephanie; and his great-grandchildren Neve and Spencer. His eldest son, Michael, died in 2012. The Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church (845-359-1230), 120 Kings Highway, Tappan, on Friday, Aug. 8, beginning at 10am. Private burial will follow.