McNALLY, John Gage McNally
McNALLY, John Gage –
October 17, 1928 – March 7, 2024
John’s byword was compassion.
He excelled at many things, but few meant more to John than care and concern for others, particularly the poor and the marginalized.
Born in New York City, John grew up in Toronto.
His early childhood was marked by hardship and family tragedy.
These were the foundations of the basic kindness that defined him. In 1963, John opened his own advertising agency after several years with a large Toronto firm.
Following a career full of awards, he retired at age 71. John married Marilyn in 1970 and they brought their mutual children together at Jackson’s Point on Lake Simcoe, where they spent the next decade, and where Marilyn soon joined him in his love of golf. Family was John’s number one passion.
In spite of the devastating death of daughter, Kathy, in 1985, he continued to relish family gatherings, whatever the occasion.
After retirement, he devoted much of his time to keeping up with the lives of his children and grandchildren. He especially enjoyed a round of golf with son, David, catching up with daughter, Terri, and her growing family, long talks with daughter, Sandra, about her career, and chats with son, Steve, about his worldwide business travels.
John found new meaning in retirement through his volunteer work with Welcoming Arms, a ministry of several Aurora churches doing outreach to the poor, the hungry, and the homeless.
He once told Marilyn, “This is what I was meant to be doing with my life.” Service to others was a living expression of John’s faith and his dedication to social justice. In his declining years, John was the beneficiary of devoted love and care from Marilyn.
In addition to his wife, Marilyn, and his children, David (Sue), Terri (Jim, deceased), Sandra (Robert), and Steve (Renée), John is mourned by his grandchildren, Adam, Sam, Liam, Taylor, Kathryn, Jessica, Catherine (Tilak), and John.
A Funeral Service and Celebration of life Lill be held Saturday, April 27, 2024, at 11 a.m., at St. Philips on the Hill Anglican Church, 9400 Kennedy Road, Unionville, Ontario.
John was especially fond of the lyrics, “What the world needs now is love, sweet love.”
We shall be forever grateful for the sweet love he bestowed on each of us.
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