Reaney "Bub" McGilvray

Reaney (Bub) passed away peacefully overnight in his sleep at home in Ipswich, MA on February 13, 2025. He faced a long battle with throat cancer with strength, dignity and grace.
Bub grew up in Plaistow, NH. He graduated from Haverhill Trade School and attended Springfield Technical Community College. His family moved to Rust Island Gloucester, where he and his father built their family home. Living on the Annisquam River he was introduced to sailing then built his first boat - a Schooner named "At Last".
Bub was talented and a Master Craftsman, remodeling fine homes on the North Shore of Massachusetts. A Boatbuilder -Schooner, Sloop and Gloucester Dories.
He was an adventurer, he loved sailing with his two best friends Tony and Danny from Florida, they made many stories together, sailing the Bahamas and Caribbean, Maine to Nova Scotia.
In the early days of his boating adventures, he and his father survived a storm at Sea for 9 days with Gale force winds and 20 ft waves, bringing an open hull boat with a single cylinder engine down from Lunenburg Nova Scotia to Gloucester, MA. Although they didn't think they were going to make it home, his seamanship and ability to fix anything saved them.
His love of Nova Scotia began after he sold the boat, bought property and built a cabin while camping out with his friends living off the land.
He later moved to Ipswich, MA, married Laura Hilton and they had two beautiful children, Christina and Reaney Norman. He was a devoted father, raising his children after divorce while working full time as a single parent. He was a man who showed love through consistency, knowing that the little things make up a bigger picture.
He was disciplined, a doer, and when he set his mind to something he would get it done one way or another.
He worked hard throughout his years so he could return to Nova Scotia every summer. With a beautiful view of the ocean and harbor, there he would find peace of mind. Creating, tinkering, always building something. And even in the roughest of weather his cabin never dragged anchor.
He hoped to have another summer in Nova Scotia but departed earlier than he had planned, He sailed beyond the horizon for the last time.
He is survived by his loving partner, Nancy Scioli; his daughter, Christina McGilvray of Westport, MA; son, Reaney N. McGilvray and his partner Laney Barlow of Gloucester, MA; granddaughter, Beatrice Bouchard; and his sister, Suzanne McGilvray and her partner Danny Antonopoulos of Exeter, NH.
Reaney is predeceased by his parents, Reaney F. and Mary (Murphy) McGilvray; brothers, Reaney James and Reaney Francis; and sister, Patricia.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, April 6th, 2025, from 12 - 4 p.m. at the Lanesville Community Center.