Rev. Kyle W. McGAW

McGAW, Rev. Kyle W. Whether it be ministering in faith, social progress or women in sport, Rev. Kyle W. McGaw would be leading the cheering section. Born in Grafton, MA, Kyle earned his bachelor and Master of Divinity at Boston University. Ordained in June, 1984, he shared his passion for the Gospel as pastor of the Agawam United Methodist Church in Agawam, MA and South United Methodist Church in Manchester, CT. Most recently, he was a substitute preacher in various churches in the area. An advocate for social justice, Kyle served with the Appalachian Service Project, and for people with disabilities. Understanding the power of humor to bridge the gap between communities, he attended clown college for two summers as well. Kyle's love for his daughters and their sports teams meant he was a constant, vocal presence on the sidelines at their games. He passionately supported their teams, particularly Trinity College's Women's Ice Hockey, the Village Lions Rugby Football Club and Smith College's Soccer Team. A pioneer of a bone marrow transplant protocol, he received treatment at Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, MA, beginning in 1987. There he met his medical advocates and close friends Grace Clark and Dr. Len Zon. Kyle passed away on May 25, 2011 in Manchester, CT. Predeceased by his father, Wilbert, Kyle is survived by wife Corinne Colman and daughters Celia Colman-McGaw and Caitlyn Colman-McGaw. His extended family includes mother Flora, sister Caryl and husband Gary Dlugy, sister Kristyl and husband Jim Downey , brother Clay and wife Robin Tremblay-McGaw, nieces and nephews, and brother-in-law Kevin Colman. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, May 31, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. at North United Methodist Church, 300 Parker St., Manchester, CT. A reception will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to North United Methodist Church, 300 Parker Street, Manchester, CT 06042-3632; Manchester Area Conference of Churches, P.O. Box 3804, Manchester, CT 06045-3804; and/or Hartford Area Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Box 1933, Hartford, CT 06144. The Watkins Funeral Home in Manchester is assisting with arrangements. To sign the online guest book please visit www.holmes-watkinsfuneralhomes.com.