Alfred H. McKinlay

Alfred H. McKinlay, 84, of McDougall Road passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family. Born October 16, 1929 in Amsterdam, New York he was the son of the late Irene Dougall McKinlay Aucompaugh and Harry McKinlay. Alfred graduated from Woestina High School and later received a Bachelor's of Science Degree from Union College where a scholarship has been created in his name. After graduating from Union College he worked for Alco Products for 3 years and then was employed as an Industrial Engineer for General Electric in Schenectady for 27 years. He was self- employed as a packaging and handling consultant from 1981 to 2011. Alfred was a former President of the Society of Packaging and Handling Engineers and Chairman of ASTM Packaging Committee for 8 years where he ran large annual conferences for packaging related business for more than 20 years. Al taught 2 to 3 day seminars across the country for over 25 years and ASTM established the Alfred H. McKinlay Honorary Award to be given to an outstanding packaging professional each year. In his spare time Al developed the Woestina Basketball League in 1961 and ran it for 10 years, organized the 24 hour Relay Race held at Schalmont High School which supported the American Lung Association and ran it for 10 years, was a member of the Schalmont School Board for six years, Superintendent of the VanVechten Cemetery for 50 years where he later became a Trustee, and Elder at the Christ's Church of the Hills since 1956. Al was known for his long distance running starting in 1960 and ran every day for 18 years and then after a brief illness he continued to run several times a week until 2011. Al was an avid gardener, his vegetable garden was admired by all as there was barely a weed to be found. Al was LA Dodgers fan all his life and in 1994 he was honored by the team by being named Father of the year. Survivors include his wife of 63 years, the former Anna Visconti; a daughter, Ava (Michael) Douglass of Amsterdam; three sons, Mark (Jennifer Hunter) McKinlay of Phoenixville, PA, Stephen (Terri-Anne) McKinlay of Cumming, GA and Jon Mckinlay of Pattersonville; siblings, Agnes VanPatten, Janet Aucompaugh, Kenneth (Pat) Aucompaugh and Patricia Isabella; grandchildren, Michelle (Jason) Monro, Sarena Norton, Joel (Andrea) Douglass, Andrew (Siv) McKinlay, Christopher McKinlay, Connor McKinlay, Collin McKinlay, Jonathon McKinlay and Lauren McKinlay; great grandchildren, Alistair Monro and Vera Douglass; several nieces, nephews and cousins. Alfred was predeceased by siblings, William Aucompaugh and (infant) Linda Aucompaugh. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 9, 2014, at 10:00 am at the Christ Church of the Hills, 4809 Mariaville Road, Schenectady, NY 12306 with the Rev. Susan Strang officiating. The family will receive family and friends on Friday from 4 to 7 pm at the Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Avenue, Amsterdam, NY 12010. Memorial contributions may be made in Alfred's memory to the Christ's Church of the Hills or the VanVechten Cemetery Association.