Obituary of Michael Kenneth McGuinness

Michael Kenneth (Ken) McGuinness Born Columbus, Ohio 2/22/43 Ken spent almost all of his growing up years in Valhalla, NY. He went to the Valhalla Schools and then Pleasantville HS, later moved to Mount Kisco, NY., before moving to Denville, NJ 31 years ago. He served in the US Army in Korea from 1966 to 1967. Ken graduated with a BS in Electrical Engineering from SUNY Buffalo and worked as a Hardware Design Engineer for 30 years on wireless infrastructure equipment, where he designed the main controller for the first commercial cell sites at Bell Laboratories/AT&T/Alcatel-Lucent, before retiring in 2011. He was a holder of Private and Commercial Pilot Certificates and avid aviator, Long-time Member of Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 501, Radio Amateur Advanced Class License K2KYG. He was also a member of The Morris County Beekeepers Association, National Rifle Association and Ayres-Knuth Farm Foundation, Inc Being interested in Family History and geneology inspired his daughter to find “new” relatives. He took an active interest in his daughter’s activities, photographing the middle school softball team, creating the 8th Grade Slide Show, making annual treks to the Wizard of Oz Fest, and planning Civil War and Family History Tours. The time he spent reading to his daughter from infancy resulted in her becoming an avid reader. They shared a love of L Frank Baum books and the Harry Potter series. He also enthusiastically supported his wife’s interests and hobbies and inspired her to try new ones. His infectious enthusiasm inspired many others to join him in his hobbies and interests. He was the son of the late Michael Joseph (Joe) McGuinness and Dorothy Apps Bastable McGuinness, brother of the late James Lee McGuinness, loving husband of Mary (Schwartz) McGuinness for 23 years and companion for 37 years; and doting father of Kathleen Lee (Katie) McGuinness. He also has many loving relatives in the Syracuse, NY area. Countless wonderful friends and neighbors supported him and his family in his last illness. Friends may visit at Norman Dean Home for Services 16 Righter Ave. Denville, NJ on Sunday December, 16, 2012, from 2:00 – 6:00 PM. There will be a service held at 5:30 PM at the funeral home, with interment following in the future at Oakwood Cemetery 940 Comstock Avenue Syracuse, NY 13210. In lieu of flowers, Memorial Donations may be made to Oncology & Hematology Foundation, Inc. (OHS Foundation, 23 Pocono Rd, Suite 100, Denville, NJ 07834) or to the American Cancer Society (more on this to follow).