Obituary of Wayne R. McGregor

Rome-Wayne R. McGregor, 89, of Rome passed away Saturday evening, January 23rd, 2021 under the loving care of the Abraham House located at 417 N. Washington Street after a brief illness. Born on November 20, 1931 in Hamilton, NY to Lewis A. and Lena Kuhn McGregor, the second youngest of five sons. He was a 1950 graduate of Remsen Central School, studied engineering briefly at Utica College before serving in the Air Force from 1951 to 1954. Wayne was married to his beloved Kathryn A. Smith of Rome, on August 14, 1954 in the Lowell Methodist Church, and has resided in Rome since. After his service in the Air Force, he worked as a carpenter on a number of different projects throughout New York State before starting his extended career with Prudential as an insurance representative. He retired in 1991, and then drove tractor trailer and bus in semi-retirement. He loved dancing, admiring nature on his Southern Tier property, attempting to rid his lawn of dandelions, handyman carpentry and woodworking, furniture reupholstery, word Jumble solution, Soduku, Big M family gatherings and reunions, and watching the geese fly south every year. Wayne was predeceased by his wife Kathryn A on November 8, 2003. He is survived by his youngest brother Leon and sister-in-law Gloria McGregor of Duanesburg, NY. Sister-in-law Charlene and Richard Baranowski. Four sons: Robert W. and Linda of Geneva, NY, Scott C. and Celeste of Rome, NY, Gary A. and Liz of Fairport, NY, Kurt N. and Karen of Rome, and a daughter Kathleen A. and Jim Rafferty of Newburgh, NY. The family would like to thank and acknowledge his very special and longtime companion, friend, and dance partner of 16 years, Florence D. Wyman, also of Rome. Fifteen grandchildren: Stefani, Collin, Cortni, Kristen, Travis, Trevor, Alexa, Kendra, Matthew, Lauren, Carter, Ella, Sean, Tyler, McKayla, and three great grandchildren: Rowan, Charlie, and Ashton, with two more expected in the next couple of months. Calling hours will be held at the Malecki Funeral Home, Inc. located at 23 Front Street in Vernon, NY 13476 on Friday 1/29 from 5-7PM, followed by a brief private family service, performed by Pastor Fred Bailey of the Lowell Methodist Church. Interment will be conducted in the spring with better weather, and a celebration of life is being planned. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Wayne's name to the Abraham House, Westmoreland Fire Department, or Lowell Methodist Church.