James "Mac" Allen MacTavish , VRHS Class of 1946
MacTavish, James Allen "Mac" DELMAR James Allen "Mac" MacTavish, 86, of Delmar and formerly of Greenville, died on Wednesday, December 24, 2014. He was born on April 26, 1928 in Albany to Simon and Mary Cameron MacTavish. Mac graduated from Rensselaer High School in 1945. He then served in the United States Army as an M.P. stationed in Japan. After completing service, Mac attended Brockport State College, where he received his bachelor of science in physical education. He later earned a master's of education from SUNY-Albany. He married Amy Williams on June 29, 1957. They then moved to Greenville when Mac received a teaching position. During his tenure at Greenville Central School, Mac taught health, drivers education, and for the majority of his career, physical education. He was made athletic director for the school in 1977. He was also on the negotiation team for NYSUT, as well as the building committee for the high school. During a period of over 30 years at GCS, "Coach Mac" coached the varsity baseball team, the varsity boys basketball team for over 25 years, and for 30 years he was the varsity boys soccer coach. During that time he had over 300 wins in soccer and over 250 wins in basketball. Mac was a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan, always waiting for the Cubs to win "next year." He enjoyed his Wednesday night poker games with his friends. After retirement, he enjoyed traveling with his wife Amy. They also had many happy days playing cards with their close friends, the Falkeys. Mac is predeceased by his parents and by his wife of 46 years, Amy. He is survived by his four children, Bruce, Keith (Jennifer), Megan, and Ross (Kirstin). He was also blessed with seven grandchildren, Zachary (Heidi), Symon, Brian, Kali Jo, Bailey and Evan MacTavish, and Ashley Thompson. The family would like to thank the staff of Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Delmar for their care of Mac in the last year of his life. They would also like to thank his friends and former players and students who took time to visit him there. Wake at the A.J. Cunningham Funeral Home, Greenville. A funeral service was at the United Methodist Church of Greenville & Norton Hill. He was then privately cremated. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Peter's Hospice, 315 S. Manning, Blvd., Albany, NY 12208, or the Greenville Rotary Club Scholarship Fund, PO Box 591, Greenville, NY 12083. Post a condolence at ajcunninghamfh.com.