AMHERST, Allan R. McKinnon died April 22, 2014 in Amherst MA. He was born in Holyoke, MA on August 8, 1928 to Allan and Gertrude Engel McKinnon.

Allan “Big Al” graduated from the University of Massachusetts, class of 1952 and was a lifetime member of the Alumni Association.  He was a Registered Professional Engineer, first serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.  He was chosen Soldier of the Cycle after basic training at Aberdeen Proving Grounds and taught Guided Missile Guidance Components at Fort Monmouth, NJ.   He returned to Holyoke to own and manage J.& W. Jolly, Inc., a fabrication and machine tool business.  In the early 1990’s he began working for the University of Massachusetts Athletic Department as an Administrative Assistant and Transportation coordinator, retiring in 2003.

He played golf throughout his lifetime, taking annual trips to Pine Needles, in Southern Pines, NC, but regardless of where he traveled always managed to find a golf course. Al also loved to ski and served as president of the Mt. Tom Ski Club. He was a fan of all UMass sports, holding season tickets for football, hockey and basketball.  He was a fan of the Red Sox, Patriots and Bruins, but if his favorites weren’t on TV, most any game would do.

He served his community as a Life Member of the Mt. Tom Masonic Lodge, Holyoke;  Honorary Life Member of Rotary Club; Past President, Holyoke YMCA and United Way.  He also served as Chairman for the United Way Fund Drive (2 years); Member, Trustee and Corporater for People Bank; member of the Board of Directors of the Holyoke Chamber of Commerce and of the Forestdale Cemetery.  Allan also served others by being a life-long blood donor.

Allan was predeceased by his parents, sister and brother-in-law Gertrude and James Creighton; nephew James Creighton; stepdaughter, Cheryl Ann (Nagy) Burger and grandson Sgt. Kenneth J. Iwasinski.

He is survived by his wife, Peggy (Torma) McKinnon; children, Linda (Thomas) McGrath;  Jeffrey (Allison Blackfield) McKinnon; Laurie McKinnon (John Cotton); grandchildren Bryan and Heather McGrath;  Jeffrey, Clarke and  Kiley McKinnon;  Holly Huebner and Mcallan Craig.  Stepfamily Mark and Kim Nagy, Tracy (Nagy) Taylor and grandchildren Amber, Nathan, Rebecca Erskine, Emily and Samuel Burger; Luke and Jake Nagy; Amanda Taylor and great grandchildren Kirsten and Jillian Erskine.

Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst, MA is in charge of arrangements.  Interment will be at the convenience of the family. A Celebration of Al’s Life will be Wednesday, May 14, from 5-7 p.m. at the Amherst Golf Club, 365 South Pleasant St., Amherst, MA.

The family wishes to thank the staff and volunteers of the Fisher Home for the loving care and kind guidance they provided to Allan and his family during the last leg of our journey together.  In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to The Fisher Home; 1165 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA 01002 or a charity of your choice. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

Service details, Social networking, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow are available here.