Richard (Dick) Trainor McGuire

          Richard McGuire, 102,

          Agricultural Leader

          Cambridge - Richard (Dick) Trainor McGuire passed away on January 2, 2025, at home on his family farm in Cambridge, New York, where he lived his entire life.

          Dick was born to Janet McMorris McGuire and David McGuire on November 3, 1922, at the Mary McClellan Hospital in Cambridge, New York.  He was the oldest of three children.  His sisters, Norma Skellie and Marian Thomas, predeceased him in 2024 and 2005 respectively.

          Dick completed six grades at the one room schoolhouse at the top of “Scotch Hill”, after which he enrolled at the Cambridge Union School before it became a centralized school district.  He graduated and chose to take a postgraduate year at Salem Washington Academy.  Dick was a 5-sport athlete who played football, basketball, baseball, track, and cross-country.

          In 1942 Dick earned an associate’s degree in Dairy Science and Rural Engineering from what is now SUNY Morrisville, where he also played football and basketball.  He proudly kept the letter from the Philadelphia Eagles, inviting him to try out for its professional football team. Recently, Dick was notified that he would be the first inductee to SUNY Morrisville’s Alumni Hall of Fame.

         After graduation Dick wanted to enlist, but in that same year Congress passed the Tydings Amendment to the Selective Services Act, requiring local boards to “defer registrants necessary to and regularly engaged in agricultural occupations essential to the war effort”.  So, he came home to the family farm to go into partnership with his father.

          In 1946 Dick married Polly Parker Wilson from Greenwich, NY. They raised three children: Richard (Rick), Bonnie, and David while Dick became increasingly involved in efforts to improve agricultural conditions and policies at the local and State levels.  Polly continued her career as a vocal music teacher and later as an elementary classroom teacher.  Polly passed away in 2009 after 63 years of marriage.  

          After serving as president of the Washington County Farm Bureau, Dick was elected to the state board and then as president of the New York State Farm Bureau in 1970. He held that position until 1984. During that time, he also served on the Executive Board of the American Farm Bureau Federation, representing national agricultural interests in Washington DC and numerous overseas capitals. Dick also served 20 years on the Advisory Council to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University.

          In 1989 Dick was appointed by Governor Mario Cuomo as Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets, a position that he held for seven years.  

          Since his passing, the New York Farm Bureau posted this about Dick on its Facebook page: “Widely considered one of the most influential people in New York agriculture in his time…leaders and visionaries like Dick McGuire do not come along often”.

          Dick is survived by his three children:  Richard (Rick) McGuire (Jane), Bonnie McGuire Jones (Kent), and David McGuire (Katherine); his grandchildren: Wendy Coats (Dan), Richard (Mick) McGuire III (Christina), Dylan Jones (Erin), Caitlin McLane (Josh), Ellie McGuire, and Cooper McGuire; and his great-grandchildren: Hermione Coats, Marisa McGuire, Richard (Trainor) McGuire IV, William Jones, Rhys Jones, Logan McLane, and Parker McLane.

          During his later years Dick had a wonderful companion, Dolores Marcotte (Dody) from Dorset, VT. They enjoyed many family, church, community, and high school sports events.  They were as busy as anyone in our very active family.  We are beyond appreciative.

          Dick’s spiritual home was the Hebron United Presbyterian Church.  Its ministers and members provided him with years of meaningful services, outstanding music, intergenerational fellowship, delicious meals, and projects to benefit individuals and families in need in the surrounding area.  His faith and church were central to his life.

          Dick woke up every day interested in the people he would see, the experiences he would have, what he could learn, and how he could help.  Honestly, he wasn’t ready to slow down, even after he reached 100.

          For those interested in making a charitable donation in his memory, Dick selected the Salem Rescue Squad whose team went above and beyond for him over the past two years. He also selected LeadNY, the leadership development academy run by Cornell’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, for women and men with promising careers in agriculture, food science, and natural resources. Both organizations have helpful websites.

          A Celebration of Life service will be held at one o’clock on Saturday, January 18 at the Hebron United Presbyterian Church, 3153 County Route 30, Salem.  Calling hours will be on Friday, January 17 from 1-4 pm at the McClellan-Gariepy Funeral Home, 19 East Broadway in Salem.  Both the Church and Funeral Home have websites with good directions.

To express your sympathy or share a memory, please visit www.gariepyfuneralhomes.com