Gerald H McGinley

Gerald Hayes McGinley, 85 Long time businessman and star University of Pennsylvania football player, Gerald Hayes McGinley, died on February 23 at his home in Hobe Sound, Florida. The cause was organ failure and cancer. McGinley’s investment career spanned more than 45 years. He began work at W.R. Grace & Co. as an Assistant to the President, and later worked at Crown Cork & Seal Co. Gerry went on to dedicate three decades of service to Kidder, Peabody. And later, finish his investment career as a Senior Vice President at UBS at the age of 80. McGinley earned his Bachelor of Science in Economics from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, in 1952. McGinley joined his older brother Edward at U of P, and their younger brother Rick would follow in their footsteps at Penn. While attending the University, Gerry belonged to the Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity, the Newman Club, and the Sphinx Senior Society. Hailed by the legendary Penn Football Coach, George Munger, as “…the greatest linebacker in the country,” Gerry won the prestigious class of 1915 Award for the ideal Penn athlete and earned All-American honors in his senior season. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1952, but instead chose to serve his country as a tank commander and rose to the rank of First Lieutenant in the United States Army, during the Korean War. McGinley was active in many educational and community organizations. He served as Treasurer for the Malta Human Services Foundation and as a Trustee for both the New Community Foundation and Camp Tecumseh in Center Harbor, NH. Additionally, McGinley was on the council for the Pennsylvania Society and was a life member of the Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. He was also a past member of the Millburn Board of Education and a former trustee of the Avon Old Farms School. At his alma mater, he served on the President’s Council and the “Quakers” Athletic Board of Advisors. Gerry also served on the President’s Council at the College of the Holy Cross. Always supportive of outstanding scholar-athletes, Gerry established the Edward F. McGinley, Jr. Scholarship Fund (at Penn), in memory of his father, an All-American tackle at U of P, immortalized in the College Football Hall of Fame. After finishing his tour in the Army, McGinley came home and married Patricia O’Neill in 1957. Pat was the love of Gerry’s life and the two would stay married for 58 years. McGinley is survived by wife, Patricia and five loving children: Pam, John, Helen, Gerry and Mark, as well as 12 grandchildren and both of his brothers, Edward and Rick.