Albert McCoy

1926 - 2016

Albert Denis McCoy, 89, former Mayor of Aurora, died peacefully in his home on Saturday April 26, 2016. He was born June 25, 1926 in Aurora, IL, the son of Denis and Katherine (Longbein) McCoy. He attended St. Mary's Catholic grade school and graduated from Marmion Academy, Class of 1944. He lived in the City of Aurora his entire life except for his military service and college years. Al was a combat veteran of World War II, serving as a signalman in the US Navy aboard the aircraft carrier USS Monterey in the South Pacific. He participated in the battle of Okinawa, the Japan main island campaigns, and was present with the Third Fleet in Tokyo Bay during the surrender of Japan on September 2, 1945. He received 5 battle stars for his service during World War II. After the war, he returned to Aurora and attended Aurora University. He then received a football scholarship to the University of Montana in Missoula, MT, where he also was a member of the baseball team. Al remained active in sports his entire life and served as a college football referee for 21 years. After college he returned home and served as the assistant controller of R&M Kaufmann in downtown Aurora, where he met his wife of 53 years, Mary Ann. In 1965, at the age of 38, he was elected Mayor of the City of Aurora. He served 3 terms as mayor from 1965 to 1977. During his tenure as mayor, Aurora annexed 6800 acres of land which gave rise to Aurora's current distinction as the second largest city in Illinois. After leaving the office of mayor, McCoy served as Chairman of the Illinois Liquor Control Commission from 1977 to 1998. He was also a Vice President of the Old Second National Bank in Aurora for 14 years. He worked his entire adult life until retirement in downtown Aurora. Al was active in numerous local civic and charitable organizations during his life. He was a member of Holy Angels Parish for over 50 years and served as a lector for 28 years. He was a member of the Serra Club of Aurora for 25 years, received the Marmion Centurion Award, and was the fourth recipient of the Marmion Ad Regnum Dei Award in recognition of exceptional public witness and service of Gospel values for the kingdom of God. Al McCoy was a self-reliant man, taking care of himself and his entire family right up until his final days. He was a giver in the truest sense of the word, always putting the well being of others before himself. He will be deeply missed by all who had the great fortune to know him. Survivors include his son, Mike (Vicki) McCoy of Aurora; his daughter Cara (John) Gibbons of Henderson, NV; five grandchildren, Joe, Mark, and Kate McCoy and Elizabeth and Sarah Gibbons; as well as many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Al was preceded in death by his wife Mary Ann (Malmborg) McCoy; a brother Gerald (Betty) McCoy and a sister Alice (Clyde) Hess. Visitation will be at The Healy Chapel, 332 W. Downer Place, Aurora on Wednesday March 30 from 3-8 PM. A prayer service will be conducted at 8 P.M. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 11 A.M. at Holy Angels Church, corner of Hardin and Lancaster Avenues, on Thursday, March 31, 2016 with a prayer service at 10 A.M. prior to the mass at the funeral home. Private interment with military honors will be held at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Mayor Albert D. & Mary Ann McCoy Advisory Endowment Fund c/o the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley. The family would like to thank Home Helpers and Vitas Hospice for their tender loving end of life care. For further information, please call 630-897-9291 or visit our website at www.healychapel.com to leave an online condolence.