J. Patrick Mcgreevy

John Patrick McGreevy, known as Pat in the Tri-Town community, died on Thursday morning, December 14, 2017, at home on the Bow Farm in Brasher Falls, NY.

Pat was born in Massena, NY, on May 11, 1936, to Dr. Philip T. and Ella S. McGreevy. He grew up on Bridges Avenue in Massena and graduated from Massena High School in 1954. Pat attended Harvard University and graduated from the University of Vermont. He later earned a Master’s in Education from St. Lawrence University in Canton.

Pat taught and coached at St. Lawrence Central High School over 4 decades. In his social studies classroom, Mr. McGreevy was known by all his students for his love for American history. On the playing fields he was called Coach. Throughout his career Pat coached 8th grade, JV, and varsity football, as well as Pop Warner football in the Massena league. He was also varsity golf coach in the 1970s. He enjoyed playing competitive golf and he also helped out with Little League baseball in Brasher. Pat was inducted in the St. Lawrence Central Athletic Hall of Fame.

Outside of the school community, Pat was busy on the family farm bringing in hay for the riding horses and his herd of beef cattle. He was well known for his big dogs and many cats on the farm. He competed in dog shows with his third Bouvier dog and earned a Canadian Kennel Club championship. He also owned and trained trotting horses with Bruce Euto in local races around the North Country and in Canada.

Toward the end of his teaching and coaching career, Pat was elected to the Brasher Town Board and did a lot of work trying to bring community electric power to the area. Through teaching, coaching, and community service, Pat was well known and respected by many in the Brasher Falls area. He loved to talk about anything with anyone at Edgar Kelly's garage and Ward's Hotel.

Pat is survived by his wife of 46 years, Sandra Bray of Massena, NY, two sons, Timothy and Matthew, and one grandchild, Molly Vivian, daughter of Matt and Liz. Pat's third son Daniel died in November 1981 in Rochester, NY. Pat is also survived by his younger sister Betsy Ann McGreevy Scott of Port St. Lucie, FL, and was predeceased by his younger brother Philip T. McGreevy of Brasher Falls.

During the last 8 years of his life, Pat lived quietly at home, cared for by his wife Sandra, who was lately aided greatly by their good neighbor Raymond LaPrade and Hospice of St. Lawrence Valley. A memorial service will be held at Hammill's Funeral Home in Winthrop, NY, on Thursday, December 21. Calling hours will be from 1 to 4 PM, with a funeral service from 4 to 5 PM. Burial will be held in St. Patrick's Cemetery in Brasher Falls on Friday. May 25, 2018 at 1 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations to Northside Community Church of Massena and Hospice of St. Lawrence Valley, Inc., of Potsdam, will be accepted.