Jeffrey MacAvery

1952 - 2016

Jeffrey T.

MacAvery

Fishkill - The world will be a less happy place without Jeff MacAvery. Jeff died peacefully after a long illness on Friday, May 20, 2016 with his wife of 38 years, Alison (nee Ballo) MacAvery at his side at Beth Israel Hospital in New York City.

Jeff was born in Beacon on March 10, 1952 in the old Highland Hospital. He attended St. John the Evangelist School and Beacon High School. As a youth he served as an Alter Boy and participated in CYO. He was both a Cub Scout and Boy Scout, obtaining the badge of Life Scout. He was also catcher in the storied Beacon Little League Yankees for whom he hit a home run in his first at bat at age 9. He also played in the Babe Ruth League.

At a very early age Jeff was drawn to music. He was truly a talented musician and attended the Berkeley School of Music in Boston. He played the drums in bands throughout the 60's, 70's and 80's. Locally he played in The Vibrachords, Rhythm's Disciple, Frozen Smoke, Juice and Six Day War. He was known for his virtuosity and was expert in many different genres including hard rock, soul and folk. He played Carnegie Hall with the group Easter Road backing up the late Pete Seeger. His vocal skills led him to discover Barbershop Harmony. He sang baritone in the original Hudson Valley Connection Barbershop Quartet which won the Northeastern District Division Championship in the Quartet category.

In addition to playing music, Jeff worked as an agent for DC Productions where he booked musical acts in the tri-state area. Besides music he applied his land surveyor skills that he learned from his father to the position of Land Acquisition Specialist for the Patton Corporation. He also worked as a Mortgage Originator for local lending institutions helping many to refinance or purchase homes.

Recently returning to playing acoustic guitar, Jeff drew accolades from fans that cherished his melodic voice and marveled at his musical range at recent crowd-pleasing appearances in various Hudson Valley venues.

In addition to his wife Alison, Jeff is survived by his mother, Lena Weed and her husband, Donald of Beacon; his brothers, Daniel J. MacAvery, also of Beacon and J. Terence MacAvery and his wife, Elizabeth of New York City; his sister, Amy L. MacAvery and partner E. Gregory Sees of Brewster, MA. Jeff is predeceased by his father, John D. MacAvery and his brother, Timothy J. MacAvery. He will be sorely missed by his five nieces and nephews, his great nephew, aunts, uncles, numerous cousins, as well as those who cherished his friendship and fellowship.

Jeff's gentle demeanor, his ready smile, the stoicism in the face of adversity and his love of his wife, their cats and his family will be long remembered. He will be missed and his memory cherished by many.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, May 27 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Halvey Funeral Home, Inc., 24 Willow Street, Beacon.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered to celebrate Jeff's life on Saturday, May 28 at 10 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church, 35 Willow Street, Beacon. Interment at St. Joachim Cemetery will immediately follow.

In lieu of flowers you may consider donations in Jeff's memory to the Esophageal Cancer Action Network, P.O. Box 243, Stevenson, Maryland 21153 (www.ecan.org) or to the Mid Hudson Animal Aid Essie Dabrusin Cat Sanctuary, 54 Simmons Lane, Beacon, New York 12508 (www.midhudsonanimalaid.org).

To send the family a personal condolence please visit www.halveyfh.com.

Funeral arrangements are under the supervision of Peter T. and Patrick J. Halvey.