Robert Mcguire
Uncle Roy played a major role in my young life when my family moved from a tiny town in upstate NY to San Mateo in November, 1968. I was 12-years old and found myself missing my old home, school and friends - and suddenly transplanted in a foreign country - at least that's how it felt at the time.
We lived there for less than a year, but during that time Uncle Roy gave me time and attention which made a huge difference - he took me to the local hobby store to buy stuff for building models, he took me to SFO to tour the insides of airplanes, he took me to an air show and explained the different planes.
He even helped me fit in at my new school, where I was the new kid in 7th grade. How? By helping me make a mask (see photo) that won first prize at the school Mardi Gras parade. Instant "street cred" for me!
He told jokes which always made me laugh, and taught me aviation related basics like air pressure, humidity, altitude, etc. - he was an excellent teacher.
We had a routine every time I got inside his '55 Chevy Bel Air - I would open the glove box and he would say: "What are you looking for in there?" and I would reply: "I dunno; just looking." To which he would respond: "There's nothing in there that wasn't there last time you looked." And I would end it by saying: "I know, but I still like to check." and close the door. He just shook his head.
The other photo is one of Uncle Roy's cartoons when, back in 1987, my wife Annie and I went on an outing and left our 2-year old son Stevie in Jackie's capable hands who performed baby-sitting duties.
Thank-you for all the memories, Uncle Roy, and everything you did for me as a 12-year old kid. Those are the life moments that make a huge difference, and you made that difference for me. God bless you. Rest in peace. Enjoy your new and eternal wings!
-Bob McGuire, Nephew
