Harry “Pete” McKay passed away after a brief illness on October 6, 2023, at the age of 86, with his loving wife by his side.

He was born September 19, 1937, to Ivan and Isabelle Mckay. He was raised in Bolivar, NY with his six brothers and sisters and as he would say “they were like most other families in the area at the time, lots of kids and poor, but we didn’t realize it because everybody else was poor too”.

After graduating High School, Pete chose to serve our country in the Airforce retiring after twenty years in 1975 as a Sr. Master Sergeant. He spent time in New York, Texas, Illinois, Vietnam, England and Alaska.

Upon receiving an honorable discharge, Pete came back to his hometown working for the Bolivar Cemetery and Pete-Za-Ria. Upon his move to Florida, he finished his career working at Eglin Air Force Base.

In September 1988, he married Patricia McKay. In their over thirty years together, they made their homes in New York and Florida. To avoid being homesick, they chose to split their time each year in both states.

In his younger years, Pete enjoyed fishing, camping, woodworking, cruising on his houseboat, and any excuse for a party to partake in his share of nice cold Genny Cream Ales. As he grew older, he tended to enjoy more relaxed times in his recliner, kicking back and watching the tube with a few libations now and again. Although he pretended to have had a gruff exterior, he was actually a softie at heart.

Surviving in addition to his wife of 35 years are four children, whom he loved deeply, Barry “Bear” (Sherri) McKay of Ft. Walton Beach, Florida, Scott (Celine Charleson) McKay of Rochester, Sam (Kim Hughes) McKay of Ft. Walton Beach, Florida, and Marci (Jamie) Johnson of Bolivar; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Pete was predeceased by his cherished parents, Ivan and Isabelle McKay; and siblings, Betty McKay, Jerry McKay, Thomas McKay, Shirley Johnson and Joan Pettit.

After a private graveside service, friends and family are invited to the Bolivar American Legion on Saturday, November 4, 2023, at 2:00 pm to celebrate the life of Pete McKay.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Mark F. Rinker Funeral Home & Memorial Service, Inc., Bolivar.

Online condolences may be sent at www.rinkerfuneralhome.com