Francis H. McGillivray, of Port Charlotte, FL formerly of Medford, passed away on September 11th surrounded by his loving children following a challenging illness. He was 90 years of age. "Mac", as he was known to his family and friends, was the beloved husband of the late Jacqueline (Eaton) McGillivray. Born in Medford he was the only son of the late Alexander and Margaret (McDougall) McGillivray.
McGillivray was a resident of Medford for the majority of his life and retired to Port Charlotte, FL over 25 years ago. He was a member of the Medford High School class of 1938 and went on to further his education at Bentley College before he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corp. Mac was an Army Air Corp Veteran of WWII honorably serving as a Staff Sergeant from 1942 until his honorable discharge in 1945. Following his separation from the Army Air Corp, he returned home to Medford and began his career as an electrician with Sexton Can Co., formerly located in Everett, MA. He retired as a master electrician after more than thirty years of dedicated employment.
Mac was a truly talented handyman and could build or fix just about anything from cars to clocks. In his leisure time, he also enjoyed working on the computer and doing genealogy research which was a favorite hobby of his. He also enjoyed the art of photography and always knew the importance of good health and staying in shape. He could be found every day working out at the YMCA. He was also a devoted Catholic and was an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox. Mostly devoted to his loving family, he cherished spending time with his children and his grandchildren.
In addition to his late wife and parents, he is predeceased by his son-in-law, the late Wayne Potts, and two sisters, the late Mary Bishop and Marjorie Pickering. He is survived by his devoted children, Bob McGillivray and his wife Deborah of Stoneham, Susan M. West and her husband Graham of Marshfield, Denise Potts of Methuen, Alan McGillivray and his wife Ellen of Westwood, David McGillivray, Race Director of the B.A.A. Boston Marathon, and his wife Katie of North Andover. He is also survived by 15 loving grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
A funeral mass for McGillivray will be celebrated in St. Francis of Assisi Church, 441 Fellsway West, Medford, on Saturday, September 18th, at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours at the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St., Medford, will be held on Friday from 4 p.m. thru 8 p.m. Interment services will be private. As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be sent in Mac's memory to the “DMSE Foundation” and mailed to 77 Bear Hill Road, North Andover, MA 01845. Funds will be contributed to a number of McGillivray’s favorite causes and charitable organizations.