Donald P. McAvoy

CAMDEN, Maine _ Donald P. McAvoy, 78, formerly of Oneonta, died Wednesday, March 19, 2008, at Anderson Inn in Camden, Maine.
Born in Rochester on Jan. 3, 1930, he was the son of George B. and Ruth (Chadwick) McAvoy.
Donald McAvoy was a 1947 graduate of Aquinas Institute in Rochester and 1952 graduate of Seton Hall University, South Orange, N.J. He received his master's degree from University College, Brockport.
He married Dorothy Meyer on June 29, 1957, in Lake Ronkonkoma, Long Island. Mr. McAvoy was a college professor at State University College at Oneonta from 1958 until 1991, initially teaching Elementary Years at Bugbee School, Old Main and then Elementary Education on the SUNY College Campus.
Mr. McAvoy was a passionate advocate of all youth athletics. He was Director of Kiwanis Youth Baseball League, coached Babe Ruth baseball, and coached the Oneonta City Recreation Department T- Ball program and American Legion baseball teams. He also coached Oneonta High School Varsity Baseball and Swim Teams. Additionally, he was a soccer referee and swim meet official. He was named Oneonta YMCA Man of the Year in 1977.
As a young man, Mr. McAvoy played baseball for Aquinas as well as American Legion Ball. He was a member of the Brockport Batons in the Rochester area of New York and also part of the original Irondequit Cardinals baseball team. In 1950, just days before signing with the Chicago White Sox minor league as a left handed first baseman, Mr. McAvoy was diagnosed with polio.
Mr. McAvoy was a member of the Oneonta School Board from 1978 until 1989, and was president of the board from 1982 until 1984.
He retired to Clayton, N.C., with his wife, Dorothy, in 1992, where he continued to share his love of athletics by encouraging his children, grandchildren, and his neighbor's children in all their sporting endeavors.
Mr. McAvoy was a member of Saint Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Oneonta, and a member of the Oneonta Elks Club.
Surviving are his four children, Stacy Gillow and her husband, Charles, of Whitchurch, Hampshire, England, Brendan McAvoy and his wife, Suzette, of Belfast, Maine, Deirdre Kuzio and her husband, Mark, of Belfast, Maine, and Kyle McAvoy and his wife, Mary Beth, of Media, Pa.; four grandchildren, Elizabeth McAvoy, Ryan McAvoy, Christopher McAvoy and Liam McAvoy; a stepgranddaughter, Chelsea Kuzio; one sister, Ruth McAvoy, of Pittsburgh, Pa.; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife, Dorothy M. McAvoy, who died Oct. 25, 1999; and two brothers, Robert and James McAvoy.
Services and interment will be held this summer in Belfast. Maine.
Those wishing may make a donation to the Oneonta High School Baseball Program, 189 Main St., Oneonta, NY 13820.
Arrangements are with the Long Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 9 Mountain Street, Camden.