Fairport: F. Peter McGuirk, aged 80, passed away on October 23, 2016. He spent his last years being lovingly cared for by his wife and best girl, Pat, at their home in Ganada, NY, before a brief stay at the Fairport Baptist Home, as Alzheimer’s advanced upon him.
Pete is survived by his wife, Patricia; seven children, Michael McGuirk, Kelly McGuirk-Berchiatti, Barbara McGuirk-Stacy, Jeanne (Scott) Hentz, Thomas McGuirk (Tezra), Molly (Mark) Krurnowski, Katie (Thomas) Posella; 17 grandchildren, Sean McGuirk, Katelynn (Josh) Meints, Ryan Bush, Christopher Hentz, Emily McGuirk, Kyle Stacy, Thomas Posella, Anna McGuirk, Kathryn Hentz, Cole McGuirk, Jonathan Posella, Morgan McGuirk, Nicholas Posella, Chloe Krurnowski, Megan Posella, Mia Posella, and Sophia Krurnowski; brother John (Kelly) McGuirk, and sister-in-law, Mary McGuirk. He is preceded in death by his brother, Tom McGuirk, and parents Francis and Jane McGuirk of Elmira Heights, NY.
Pete was born on February 26, 1936 in Glens Falls, NY, before moving to Elmira Heights. He attended Albany Teachers college where he studied History for two years before enlisting and serving in the United States Army. He married Patricia, his high school sweetheart, in 1959 and they moved to Rochester, NY where he began a successful career as a State Farm Insurance agent, proudly serving his clients for 48 years. Pete and Patricia’s greatest joy and accomplishment, however, is their family; having built a legacy of love and strength for their children and grandchildren.
Pete was the “gold standard,” by which all individuals should be measured: he was honest, kind, faithful, and a true and natural leader. Pete made you want to be a better person just by being near him; he saw the best in everyone and knew how to bring it out in them. His children and grandchildren remember him as a hardworking, selfless, generous, and loving man who encouraged them to be the best they could be.
Pete was extremely active in his hometown community of Fairport, NY. He was a member of the Fairport Lions Club for over 40 years, a founding member of the Perinton Volunteer Ambulance Corp., a member of the Perinton Republican committee, and a member of the parish council at the Church of the Assumption of Our Lady.
Family and friends may visit at Richard H. Keenan Funeral Home, 7501 Pittsford-Palmyra Road, Fairport (Egypt location), on Wednesday, October 26 from 2-4 p.m. or 7-9 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held at the Church of the Assumption of Our Lady, 20 East Avenue in Fairport, at 11:15 a.m. on Thursday, October 27th; interment immediately following at White Haven Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Fairport Lions Club in Pete’s name.