David R. McGuire

David McGuire, devoted husband, father, grandfather, and longtime area educator and civic leader died on March 17 after a brief illness at St. Peter's Hospital in Albany. He was 89.

David Ryan McGuire was born in Amsterdam, N.Y., to James and Helen Ryan McGuire on February 4, 1937. He was baptized at St. Patrick's Church in Johnstown, NY, and graduated from Johnstown High School, where he would later serve as principal. He received his bachelor's degree from Le Moyne College in 1958, a master's degree from the State University of New York at Albany, and his educational and administrator's degrees from North Adams State University in Massachusetts.

David followed in the footsteps of his older brother and sister by pursuing a career in teaching. He began as a social studies teacher at Hackett Junior High School in Albany in 1960. In 1968, he was appointed coordinator of student services and in 1969 was named principal of Hackett Middle School at age 32. At the time, he was believed to be the youngest principal ever appointed to an Albany public school. In 1986, he was appointed principal of Albany High School and served in that role until his retirement in 1995. Upon his retirement, he was appointed interim principal at public high schools in Berlin, Johnstown, Waterford/Halfmoon, Voorheesville, Hoosick Falls, and Glens Falls. In 2000, he was appointed principal of Christian Brothers Academy in Albany, the first layman appointed to that role in the school's history. He retired from CBA in 2008 and later served briefly as interim principal of Academy of the Holy Names in Albany.

He was a member of the Albany Public Schools Administrators Association; the New York State Secondary School Administrators Association; the Knights of Columbus; served as vice chairman of the Albany City Water Board for 18 years and chairman for three; and was an active member of Wolferts Roost Country Club, where he served as a member of the Board of Governance from 2012 to 2015. David was a longtime parishioner and lecter at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Loudonville.

He is survived by his beloved wife of more than 61 years, Veronica (Roni) DiNapoli McGuire; his children, David J. (Sabayna) of Oakton, VA; Annemarie McGarry (Matthew) of Latham, NY; Timothy R. (Maureen) of Menands, NY; and Brian T. (Ashley) of Kensington, MD. In addition, he is survived by 15 loving grandchildren: Ryan, Andrew, David, Ansley Zahurancik (Riley), and Catherine McGuire; Jack and Claire McGarry; Caroline, George, and Edward (Teddy) McGuire; and Stella, Maximilian (Max), Kieran, Dominic, and Felicity McGuire. He was predeceased by his parents, his infant son Joseph, his brother Richard, his sisters Janet and Barbara, his brothers-in-law Richard Fairley and James DiNapoli, and his nephew Daniel McGuire.

David had an exceptionally warm spirit and generous heart. He was a mentor, father figure, and confidant to many well beyond his immediate family. The impact of his life on his family, friends, and the wider communities in which he lived and worked cannot be fathomed.

The family would like to extend its sincerest thanks to the caretakers at Community Hospice for the care and support they provided during the final days and weeks of David's life.

A viewing for the public will be held at St. Pius X Church in Loudonville, NY, on Wednesday, March 25, from 4-7pm followed by a Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday, March 26 at 10:00am, also at St. Pius Church in Loudonville.

In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to the David R. McGuire Memorial Scholarship Fund at Christian Brothers Academy, 12 Airline Drive, Albany, NY 12205 or to St. Pius X Catholic Church, 23 Crumitie Rd, Loudonville, NY 12211. To leave a message of condolence for the McGuire family, please visit www.CannonFuneral.com.