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The family of Willard H. Mcnary uploaded a photo
Tuesday, June 26, 2018
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Johnny Vacca - Poughkeepsie, NY - Student posted a condolence
Wednesday, December 21, 2016
Just listened to Vivaldi's Gloria on YouTube and so very grateful that Mr MvNary gave me the memory of singing it in the PHS Mixed Chorus.
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Janet Lampell Aronson posted a condolence
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
I was so saddened to hear about Mr. McNary's passing. He was without question the most extraordinary teacher and source of inspiration that I had in high school. He demanded hard work and excellence and he instilled in those of us fortunate to have been his students a life long love for music. He gave us his all. My condolences to his family, who so graciously shared him with us for so many years.
Janet Lampell Aronson, Poughkeepsie H.S. Class of '72.
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Mary Y."Mur" Halpin posted a condolence
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
How fortunate we all were to have had the lovely companionship that developed during only four years at Potsdam but continued throughout all this half-century plus. Since speaking with Dottie last week a couple of memories have surfaced....that visit to the newlyweds in that quaint little farmyard in Georgia, when Jean Schulze Mitchell and I paid a visit...What a happy scene...and then after I had spent a year in Colombia having the first phone call on my return.... from Dottie and Bill who were ever on top of things and so thoughtful. During that next year lots of visits to them and little Mark, in his infancy. We shared laughter and tears through the years, and always LOVE. Bill's accomplishments in his professional life are many, but it must be recognized that he was ultimately a husband, father, grandfather and wonderful friend.
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Bob Gibbs posted a condolence
Sunday, December 10, 2006
It has been a privilege and a pleasure to have had Bill as a loving friend these last 56 years. We were college fraternity brothers and roommates, suffered in the army together, and felt each other's good and not-so-good times.
Geography separated us and our families for quite some time now, but Sue's and my affection for Bill and Dottie has always remained strong, and our prayers are with Dottie and her family.
My memories and shared times with Bill go back so far and so wide it would take an encyclopedic missive to list them. Bill was everything a leader should be. His leadership has had a profound and powerful influence on my life.
For all our joys and sorrows, laughter and tears, may I say: God Rest You, Merry Gentle Man.
Bob Gibbs
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Lois Ingram McCormick posted a condolence
Thursday, December 7, 2006
Bill's death is sad...@ P-dam & Crane, I am remembering the DK Shows, piano class, when asked to play "White Christmas" in E flat...Bill
launched into it with no difficulty, so did Ed
Husted!!! & me--I struggled. Lots of fond memories of Bill & You too, Dottie. I am praying that you will find peace knowing all was done for Bill these past years..the journey with him is over & yet there is another Journey for you all to take together...there will be mountains & valleys as you travel the journey...
I share your grief & send my understanding love to each of you...Dottie, Melissa, Drew & Mark
The hurts will fade, but the memories will linger forever.....Love, LOIS class of '54!!!!
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Phyllis Manfred posted a condolence
Monday, December 4, 2006
Having been a classmate of Bill and Dottie (SUNY
Potsdam '54) it is truly difficult to come to terms with his passing at this time. A friend-
ship spanning 56 years is not to be taken lightly and my husband, Bob, and I extend our deepest sympathies to Dottie & all the family at this time. A person of exceptional talent and ability,Bill left his mark on all his students thanks to his endearing manner and easy sense of humor. He will be missed by many for a long time to come.
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Lois S. Herold posted a condolence
Sunday, December 3, 2006
Dear Dottie ("Hawkes") and family,
I was fortunate to attend college with Bill and Dottie...so have known them many years. I've not only known them, but RESPECTED them as well.
Altho' others have commented on Bill's talents and teaching abilities,(which were many,) I want to take a different slant.
I was so proud of the way he responded to the sickness that finally ended his life here on earth. As with other things in his life, he "tackled" sickness with courage, a positive attitude, and a refusal to give up when the going got tough. You were quite a man, Bill McNary, and I count myself privileged to have known you. Your family knows they were honored to have you as husband and father.
My prayers for Dottie and the children continue, as they walk through this difficult time in their lives.
My deepest love,
Lois "Smythe" Herold
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Lucille posted a condolence
Sunday, December 3, 2006
Dear Mrs. McNary and family,
I am so saddened to hear of Mr. McNary's passing. We would have been lost without him at Arlington High School where he provided vocal direction for many years to a terific group of students during our annual musical. He was a mentor and a support to me over the years. I will be forever grateful for his patience and positive attitude. Students would cheer spontaneously whenever he entered the audorium. He was beloved and respected by all. May you and your children be comforted by the beautiful memories you have. We were blessed to know him at Arlington High School's Drama Club -- I know I was. God bless you.
Love, Lucille Ogden
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Breck Martyn posted a condolence
Sunday, December 3, 2006
I was saddened to learn of Bill's death and want to extend my prayers to his friends and family. Mr. McNary was my choral director in mixed and select choruses, group voice instructor and teacher in his Music Appreciation Class from 1967 - 1070. Bill also helped prepare me for participation in the NYS Music Educators All-State Chorus. His love of vocal performance was what inspired me to sing vocal harmonies in college with the Colgate 13 and my membership in the Barbershop Harmony Society the past 32 years. A generation later, my son and daughter were blessed to have Mr. McNary as their vocal director in several Arlington High School musical productions. Music lovers have lost an inspirational mentor with Bill's passing, but our world is a much more "harmonious" place beacause of Mr. Mcnary. Breck Martyn - Pok. High School Class '70.
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Alan Chapman posted a condolence
Thursday, November 30, 2006
I was a member of the PHS class of 1966 and to this day I frequently tell people about the excellence of Mr. McNary's chorus, the commitment he demanded from his singers (three full rehearsals + a sectional + a voice class!), and our pride in how well we performed. We carried our love of the music around with us: I remember a spontaneous performance of Victoria's "O Magnum Mysterium" that took place with a number of us standing in a circle in a lake. I've gone on to a career in music and I'm thankful for the experiences I had with Mr. McNary. My thoughts are
with his family.
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Kerry Decker posted a condolence
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
I was very saddened to hear of Mr McNary's passing. I was a student at PHS in the middle 1960s when he taught music there. I was always impressed with his kind spirit and musical knowledge. His inspiration was instrumental in my continuation in the music field. He also played the piano at my wedding in 1968.
He will be greatly missed. Not just by me, but by us all. My sincere condolences to his family.
- Kerry
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Gloria Haydasz posted a condolence
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Dear Dottie, I'm so sorry to hear of Bill's passing. As a recent widow myself, I know what you're going thru. My deepest sympathy to you and your children. Sincerely, Gloria
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Nancy Goering posted a condolence
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
I was saddened to hear of Mr. McNary's passing. He was one of the handful of teachers that truly influenced me. I was a student at Poughkeepsie High School from 1976 through 1979 was a member of the mixed chorus and Pipers and also took group voice lessons from Mr. McNary. He gave me a life long love of vocal music that I continue practicing today. I'm currently in a 12 voice a cappella madrigal group. Two of the pieces in our repertoire are ones I learned back in high school. I still hear Mr. McNary's voice in my head as I sing those pieces today.
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Nancy (Dennis) Turner posted a condolence
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
How sad I was to read of Mr. McNary's death. He was my choral director at Poughkeepsie High School and I loved him dearly. He was so personable and related so well to all of us. I sang in All-County Chorus because of him and still sing and hum many of the songs we sang in Chorus. He was a definite inspiration to many of us. May God provide you comfort during this trying time. Nancy (Dennis) Turner, PHS 1965
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Howard L. Worona posted a condolence
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
I have very fond memories of Mr. McNary who inspired me as a singer and music student at PHS from 1968-1971. I sang in his choral ensembles, was prepared by him for All State Choir two years in a row and performed in the first musical he produced at PHS... OKLAHOMA. It was in a big part due to his inspiration that I went into the music field and became a professional vocalist and music educator myself. I was very saddened to hear of his passing and wish his family comfort at this very difficult time. Howard L. Worona PHS 1971.
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Mary Corliss Bergin posted a condolence
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
One of the treats of being the "Principal's daughter" was attending all of the concerts, plays and programs. I remember, well, Mr. McNary conducting the chorus. I also remember how much both my mother and father liked and respected Mr. McNary. He certainly impacted the lives of many, many people in a very positive fashion.
Mary Corliss Bergin
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Heidi Sherman Tucci posted a condolence
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Bill gave me my first job in 1988 as a Music Teacher at Smith School in the City of Poughkeepsie. He was a great mentor and friend; tempering constructive criticism with well-placed humor. We often shared stories about Crane and what a great school it was and is. We Music Teachers in Poughkeepsie all truly loved and respected Bill. I wish to express my sorrow for his family's and friends' loss and hope that they will take comfort knowing that he touched so many lives and will not be forgotten. Heidi Tucci Smith School
