Robert W. MacAvery

1935 - 2021

Robert W. MacAvery

Fishkill - Robert W. MacAvery, a longtime resident of Fishkill and formerly of Beacon, passed away peacefully on March 24, 2021, surrounded by his loving family, at Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco. He was 85 years old.

Robert was born on May 5, 1935 in Beacon, the son of the late Harold E. and Florence I. DuBois MacAvery. He graduated from Beacon High School, class of 1954. After graduation he entered the YMCA Trade and Technical school in New York City. He worked with his father at the family business, "MacAvery's Garage" in Beacon. He then went on to work at Texaco Research Center in Glenham where he was a Project Technician. He retired after 38 years of service.

Robert is a veteran and proudly served in the US Army from 1957 - 1962. He was called into active service as a member of the 380th Chemical Company Maintenance Reservists Unit to support the Army 82nd Airborne military in Fort Bragg, NC. He participated in Chanlers Drum and Bugle Corp. marching in many parades throughout New York. He was a former member of the Slater Chemical Fire Company in Glenham and a life member of the Knights of Columbus, Trinity Council #445 in Beacon.

On June 19, 1960 he married the love of his life Beverly Laidlaw. They were married for 45 years before she passed away in 2005. Throughout the years, he always reminded us "I can't wait to see her". Robert is now reunited with his one and only love.

Robert loved being a Grandpa. He was a true "Papa Bear". He was so proud of each and every one of his grandchildren and watched them grow up to be young adults. He always told them how much he loved them, and never missed the opportunity to say "I love you more". Holding Aubrey for the first time was one of his happiest moments and he was thrilled to be a Great-Grandpa. He loved her to pieces.

Robert is survived by his children, Kathleen Bucci and her husband, Anthony, Lynn Shortt and her husband, Richard and Robert E. MacAvery; his grandchildren, Anthony and his wife, Monica, Heather and her husband, Matthew, Nicole, Kristyn, Alyson and Christopher; his great granddaughter, Aubrey; his sister, Janet Lewis and her husband, Bill; extended family Martha Ager, George and Grace Laidlaw, Ronald and Cecile Collins, Suzanne Feldman; many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his beloved wife, Robert was predeceased by his brother, Harold, sister, Eleanor and brothers-in-law Lee Hoyt and Donald Ager.

Family and friends will gather on Monday, March 29 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Riverview Funeral Home by Halvey, 2 Beekman Street, Beacon. Members of the Knights of Columbus will hold a service at 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, March 30 at 10 a.m. at St. Joachim Church, 51 Leonard Street, Beacon. Burial with military honors will follow at St. Joachim Cemetery, Beacon.

Memorial donations in memory of Robert may be made to St. Joachim's Church and/or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, a charity that he frequently donated to.

To send a personal condolence please visit www.riverviewbyhalvey.com.

Funeral arrangements are under the care of Patrick J. Halvey of Riverview Funeral Home by Halvey, LLC.