Whether you knew him as Dr. Macaulay, Jack, Uncle Cal, or Grandpa -- it would be great to share with one another our memories or stories. Just post a comment on this page.
I'll always remember my Uncle Cal most for his kindness and gentleness.
He apparently inherited a great deal of his mother's patience, which made him a wonderful father, uncle and (I'm sure) pediatrician.
While visiting my cousins as a child, I often encouraged them to misbehave, but it was hard to get Uncle Cal mad. Or, if he *was* mad, he didn't show it. He was always calm, reasonable and quiet. In fact, now that I think about it, I don't think I can ever remember him raising his voice, no matter what kind of trouble we got into. I think it was great to be exposed to that kind of example - an adult who could deal with misbehaving kids without ever losing control or raising his voice.
I feel fortunate that I got to be "treated" by him at least once. While visiting for a few days sometime between the age of 5 and 10, I came down with some kind of bad cold or 'flu (I don't remember the details now). But I remember Uncle Cal and Aunt Phyllis putting me in a dark quiet room with a humidifier and feeding me some kind of wonderful herbal tea. The taste and smell of the tea always stayed with me because I remember encountering it again decades later and felt transported back to that dark restful room at Uncle Cal's house. I just went through our herbal tea supply to see if I could identify what it was, but without ripping open all the little packets, I'm not sure. Probably some combination of licorice, comfrey, eucalyptus or something else. Maybe my cousins or brothers will remember it. I think someone was in that sickroom with me.
I have very fond memories of my uncle and will miss him very much. His many accomplishments as a physician, an active community member and as a loving son, brother, uncle, husband and father are an inspiration to me and to many others. He left a great legacy.
Here are some of the messages from the Legacy.com website:
April 30, 2013 Phyllis, I remember playing with Jack (Cal) when we were kids in grade school. Our sympathy and best wishes, Steve and Shirley Park
April 30, 2013 Dr. Macaulay was a very compassionate man. When my twins were toddlers they were very sick and I had no way to pay for a Dr. visit. Dr. Macaulay saw them for free at the Pediatric Group and I never forgot him. My prayers are with his family and friends during this difficult time.
April 30, 2013 Dear Phyllis, Know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.
Cynthia Taft Wilcox
May 02, 2013 My sincere condolences to the family at this difficult time. May you find comfort in the promise that soon death will be no more... and never again will we have to bury our love ones again. (Rev.12:3,4) With Deep Sympathy
May 02, 2013 The Doctor was a great healer. Compassion and determination. John and Laurie, we are so sorry for your loss.
John and Nancy Schultz
May 01, 2013
To the Macaulay family,
The entire Riley family of Onedia wishes to offer our deepest sympathy on the loss of such a fine man. ~ gregory riley, west haven, Connecticut
May 01, 2013 Laurie and family so sorry to hear of your loss. He was a great man who made the community a better place. ~ JP Gleason, Rochester, New York
May 01, 2013 Dr. Macaulay's Family, Dr. Macaulay was my 3 sons Dr in the 60's and early 70's. He was a very fine and compassionate Dr with all 3 during our many emergencies! My prayers go out to all of you, he was a wonderful Godly man. ~ Janice Cryderman, Ray City, Georgia
When we moved to Hamilton we met many people who praised Uncle Cal as a pediatrician, friend, and community spirit. He was an inspiration to me. One of my earliest memories is going fishing with him on Oneida Lake. My first experience catching fish. I remember the old house where a nurse answered the front door. The office was downstairs and the family quarters upstairs. So much has changed since then, but there will always be a place for kindness, respect, and encouragement. We were so happy he was able to enjoy the wedding last summer. I couldn't imagine a better uncle. John Bowen, Hamilton, NY
I knew Dr. Macaulay as my physician and I knew the family from church. Laurie was in my Sunday School class, I sang in Junior Choir with John Jr. Just recently I saw their family photo taken back in the early 70's for the church directory. My favorite memory is when Dr. and Mrs. Macaulay were the facilitators of the MYFO (Methodist Youth Fellowship Organization) and they took a group of us to see Jesus Christ Superstar on stage in Utica, NY. What a thrill that was since most of us had never seen anything on stage other than things at the local high school. Dr. Macaulay was a good and kind man, the families of Oneida were blessed to have him here. When we were young and had done something nice for someone my Mom would say "That's another star on your crown". There is no doubt that Dr. Macaulay has so many stars on his crown that it would dazzle our eyes. My prayers and heartfelt sympathy are with his family. Tom Bartholomew (Miami,FL)
Us Jordan siblings use to call Grandpa "Bot" when we were little. As silly as it is, for some reason my older brother Andrew started calling him that and it caught on for the rest of us. "Bot" would take us fishing and I love to look back at the pictures of us standing next to him proudly with the big fish we caught! Much later when I was in college, I got interested in fishing again and I asked Grandpa if he would teach me once again how it's done. We went out to the lake together and had some nice "grandpa/granddaughter" time. We had a blast! When I left for home after that visit, he had loaded up my car with fishing gear! I also have a lot of fond memories of Grandpa pointing out birds and wildlife to us and also showing us the various things growing in his backyard. He loved nature and so do I. Now, when I'm out there, I know that he's there with me. Grandpa was always so goofy and playful! I miss him so much but I also know that we will all be reunited when the time is right! -Katherine Jordan
Here are more entries from the Oneida Dispatch Legacy.com website:
May 04, 2013 Suzy and the Macaulay family, I'm very sorry for your great loss. Dr. Macaulay was a wonderful, gentle man and I remember him well as my pediatrician when I was a kid. May he rest in the peace and happiness of Heaven. ~ Kathy Loughran Blehar, Sherrill, New York
May 04, 2013 Dr. Macaulay was an excellent pediatrician who not only treated his young patients with care and gentleness, but also cared about the sometimes exhausted parents. We were privileged to know this wonderful man. May the many stories you hear about Dr. M bring you joy and consolation about a life well-lived. ~ Don and Cathy Cornue, Sherrill, New York
May 04, 2013 What a good physician he was! He took time to educate patients and parents with information of significant lifelong relevancy. After a symposium in Boston in the early 70's, he became a strong proponent of breast feeding; this support undoubtedly changed lives. I am grateful for his life and service. ~ Carole Arno, Richmond, Virginia
May 04, 2013 May God bless the Macaulay family at this sad time. Thinking of you all. ~ Peggy Loughran Baker, Lynchburg, Virginia
May 03, 2013 Dr. Macaulay was my son's doctor for many years. He was a very caring man and was always there when I was a young mother and my son was sick. He always made me feel so much better. My sincere condolences to his family, ~ Deborah Snyder, Canastota, New York
May 03, 2013 Dr. Macaulay will always be remembered as a caring and passionate man. He was my pediatrician for many years and I have nothing but great memories of him and his passion for what he did. He will be missed, my thoughts and prayers go out to his family. ~ Julie Stanton-Walker, Orlando, Florida
I have many great memories of trips to Oneida when we were young, but my favorite memory of Cal was when he came to visit my daughter in the hospital in New York. I had not seen him in years and Claire, who was probably four or five at the time, had never met him. I can still picture the two of them seated at round table in the hospital playroom each with a hand puppet, Claire giggling along with the uncle she had just met yet was instantly comfortable with. They played and talked for quite awhile. It was so sweet to watch. It was Claire’s only encounter with her uncle but I am grateful that she was able to meet him and enjoy his company so thoroughly. That visit is one of my fondest memories of those days, and when it comes to mind, as it does on occasion, it is always unexpected gift that his visit that day was. ~ Jennifer Henning
It is with heartfelt sadness that I read the obituary of Dr. John Macaulay in the Oneida Daily Dispatch. Dr. Macaulay was the third doctor who took care of me after Dr. Arthur Broga delivered me and after my first pediatrician, Dr. Ernest Freshman retired. My grandmother, Mrs. Margaret Spellicy was Dr. Broga’s nurse. I grew up on East Grove Street just down the street from his office which was on the corner of Main and Grove Streets in Oneida, New York. Dr. Macaulay diagnosed me with chicken pox during my senior year at Oneida Senior High School. I last saw him at a medical conference when I was a medical resident in Syracuse about 20 years ago. I have known many doctors over the years, but few possessed the unique combination of knowledge, care and compassion of Jack Macaulay. The medical profession has lost a great practitioner and his relatives, friends and fellow patients have lost a loved one.
Daniel J. Crofton, D.D.S., M.D. Partner, Central Florida Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, P.A. President-elect, Dental Society of Greater Orlando
One thing I remember well about my grandfather was his endless delight with scientific curiosities and inspiring toys. When I was young he would bring me over to a table and, like a magician, produce from some hidden bag or pocket an object picked out to both dazzle and teach me. There were many examples. A prism. A gyroscope. Paper that reacted to the sun. A ping-pong ball that began to glow when he held it. A spinning disc, etched so it sparkled in geometric rainbow patterns that danced as it twirled. These are some I remember. Each would puzzle me at first—Is a ping pong ball really that great a toy? I would think skeptically—before he began to demonstrate whatever surprising and amazing thing the item did. He always seemed to enjoy showing me or my sisters just as much as we enjoyed discovering. It inspired me to want to learn more about science and the natural world.
He took me to museums, and gave me computer gadgets he had collected. I recently came across a letter I wrote him, thanking him for giving us his old computer and telling him about a science fiction story I was trying to write. I knew he would want to know about it. I remember his smile and his chuckling laughter. I miss him.
I'll always remember my Uncle Cal most for his kindness and gentleness.
ReplyDeleteHe apparently inherited a great deal of his mother's patience, which made him a wonderful father, uncle and (I'm sure) pediatrician.
While visiting my cousins as a child, I often encouraged them to misbehave, but it was hard to get Uncle Cal mad. Or, if he *was* mad, he didn't show it. He was always calm, reasonable and quiet. In fact, now that I think about it, I don't think I can ever remember him raising his voice, no matter what kind of trouble we got into. I think it was great to be exposed to that kind of example - an adult who could deal with misbehaving kids without ever losing control or raising his voice.
I feel fortunate that I got to be "treated" by him at least once. While visiting for a few days sometime between the age of 5 and 10, I came down with some kind of bad cold or 'flu (I don't remember the details now). But I remember Uncle Cal and Aunt Phyllis putting me in a dark quiet room with a humidifier and feeding me some kind of wonderful herbal tea. The taste and smell of the tea always stayed with me because I remember encountering it again decades later and felt transported back to that dark restful room at Uncle Cal's house. I just went through our herbal tea supply to see if I could identify what it was, but without ripping open all the little packets, I'm not sure. Probably some combination of licorice, comfrey, eucalyptus or something else. Maybe my cousins or brothers will remember it. I think someone was in that sickroom with me.
I have very fond memories of my uncle and will miss him very much. His many accomplishments as a physician, an active community member and as a loving son, brother, uncle, husband and father are an inspiration to me and to many others. He left a great legacy.
Eli Bowen
Here are some of the messages from the Legacy.com website:
ReplyDeleteApril 30, 2013
Phyllis, I remember playing with Jack (Cal) when we were kids in grade school. Our sympathy and best wishes, Steve and Shirley Park
April 30, 2013
Dr. Macaulay was a very compassionate man. When my twins were toddlers they were very sick and I had no way to pay for a Dr. visit. Dr. Macaulay saw them for free at the Pediatric Group and I never forgot him. My prayers are with his family and friends during this difficult time.
April 30, 2013
Dear Phyllis,
Know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.
Cynthia Taft Wilcox
May 02, 2013
My sincere condolences to the family at this difficult time. May you find comfort in the promise that soon death will be no more... and never again will we have to bury our love ones again. (Rev.12:3,4)
With Deep Sympathy
May 02, 2013
The Doctor was a great healer. Compassion and determination. John and Laurie, we are so sorry for your loss.
John and Nancy Schultz
May 01, 2013
To the Macaulay family,
The entire Riley family of Onedia wishes to offer our deepest sympathy on the loss of such a fine man.
~ gregory riley, west haven, Connecticut
May 01, 2013
Laurie and family so sorry to hear of your loss. He was a great man who made the community a better place.
~ JP Gleason, Rochester, New York
May 01, 2013
Dr. Macaulay's Family, Dr. Macaulay was my 3 sons Dr in the 60's and early 70's. He was a very fine and compassionate Dr with all 3 during our many emergencies! My prayers go out to all of you, he was a wonderful Godly man.
~ Janice Cryderman, Ray City, Georgia
When we moved to Hamilton we met many people who praised Uncle Cal as a pediatrician, friend, and community spirit. He was an inspiration to me. One of my earliest memories is going fishing with him on Oneida Lake. My first experience catching fish. I remember the old house where a nurse answered the front door. The office was downstairs and the family quarters upstairs. So much has changed since then, but there will always be a place for kindness, respect, and encouragement. We were so happy he was able to enjoy the wedding last summer. I couldn't imagine a better uncle.
ReplyDeleteJohn Bowen, Hamilton, NY
I knew Dr. Macaulay as my physician and I knew the family from church. Laurie was in my Sunday School class, I sang in Junior Choir with John Jr. Just recently I saw their family photo taken back in the early 70's for the church directory. My favorite memory is when Dr. and Mrs. Macaulay were the facilitators of the MYFO (Methodist Youth Fellowship Organization) and they took a group of us to see Jesus Christ Superstar on stage in Utica, NY. What a thrill that was since most of us had never seen anything on stage other than things at the local high school. Dr. Macaulay was a good and kind man, the families of Oneida were blessed to have him here. When we were young and had done something nice for someone my Mom would say "That's another star on your crown". There is no doubt that Dr. Macaulay has so many stars on his crown that it would dazzle our eyes. My prayers and heartfelt sympathy are with his family. Tom Bartholomew (Miami,FL)
ReplyDeleteUs Jordan siblings use to call Grandpa "Bot" when we were little. As silly as it is, for some reason my older brother Andrew started calling him that and it caught on for the rest of us. "Bot" would take us fishing and I love to look back at the pictures of us standing next to him proudly with the big fish we caught! Much later when I was in college, I got interested in fishing again and I asked Grandpa if he would teach me once again how it's done. We went out to the lake together and had some nice "grandpa/granddaughter" time. We had a blast! When I left for home after that visit, he had loaded up my car with fishing gear!
ReplyDeleteI also have a lot of fond memories of Grandpa pointing out birds and wildlife to us and also showing us the various things growing in his backyard. He loved nature and so do I. Now, when I'm out there, I know that he's there with me.
Grandpa was always so goofy and playful! I miss him so much but I also know that we will all be reunited when the time is right!
-Katherine Jordan
Here are more entries from the Oneida Dispatch Legacy.com website:
ReplyDeleteMay 04, 2013
Suzy and the Macaulay family,
I'm very sorry for your great loss. Dr. Macaulay was a wonderful, gentle man and I remember him well as my pediatrician when I was a kid. May he rest in the peace and happiness of Heaven.
~ Kathy Loughran Blehar, Sherrill, New York
May 04, 2013
Dr. Macaulay was an excellent pediatrician who not only treated his young patients with care and gentleness, but also cared about the sometimes exhausted parents. We were privileged to know this wonderful man. May the many stories you hear about Dr. M bring you joy and consolation about a life well-lived.
~ Don and Cathy Cornue, Sherrill, New York
May 04, 2013
What a good physician he was! He took time to educate patients and parents with information of significant lifelong relevancy. After a symposium in Boston in the early 70's, he became a strong proponent of breast feeding; this support undoubtedly changed lives. I am grateful for his life and service.
~ Carole Arno, Richmond, Virginia
May 04, 2013
May God bless the Macaulay family at this sad time. Thinking of you all.
~ Peggy Loughran Baker, Lynchburg, Virginia
May 03, 2013
Dr. Macaulay was my son's doctor for many years. He was a very caring man and was always there when I was a young mother and my son was sick. He always made me feel so much better. My sincere condolences to his family,
~ Deborah Snyder, Canastota, New York
May 03, 2013
Dr. Macaulay will always be remembered as a caring and passionate man. He was my pediatrician for many years and I have nothing but great memories of him and his passion for what he did. He will be missed, my thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
~ Julie Stanton-Walker, Orlando, Florida
I have many great memories of trips to Oneida when we were young, but my favorite memory of Cal was when he came to visit my daughter in the hospital in New York. I had not seen him in years and Claire, who was probably four or five at the time, had never met him. I can still picture the two of them seated at round table in the hospital playroom each with a hand puppet, Claire giggling along with the uncle she had just met yet was instantly comfortable with. They played and talked for quite awhile. It was so sweet to watch. It was Claire’s only encounter with her uncle but I am grateful that she was able to meet him and enjoy his company so thoroughly. That visit is one of my fondest memories of those days, and when it comes to mind, as it does on occasion, it is always unexpected gift that his visit that day was.
ReplyDelete~ Jennifer Henning
May 9, 2013
ReplyDeleteIt is with heartfelt sadness that I read the obituary of Dr. John Macaulay in the Oneida Daily Dispatch. Dr. Macaulay was the third doctor who took care of me after Dr. Arthur Broga delivered me and after my first pediatrician, Dr. Ernest Freshman retired. My grandmother, Mrs. Margaret Spellicy was Dr. Broga’s nurse. I grew up on East Grove Street just down the street from his office which was on the corner of Main and Grove Streets in Oneida, New York. Dr. Macaulay diagnosed me with chicken pox during my senior year at Oneida Senior High School. I last saw him at a medical conference when I was a medical resident in Syracuse about 20 years ago. I have known many doctors over the years, but few possessed the unique combination of knowledge, care and compassion of Jack Macaulay. The medical profession has lost a great practitioner and his relatives, friends and fellow patients have lost a loved one.
Daniel J. Crofton, D.D.S., M.D.
Partner, Central Florida Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, P.A.
President-elect, Dental Society of Greater Orlando
One thing I remember well about my grandfather was his endless delight with scientific curiosities and inspiring toys. When I was young he would bring me over to a table and, like a magician, produce from some hidden bag or pocket an object picked out to both dazzle and teach me. There were many examples. A prism. A gyroscope. Paper that reacted to the sun. A ping-pong ball that began to glow when he held it. A spinning disc, etched so it sparkled in geometric rainbow patterns that danced as it twirled. These are some I remember. Each would puzzle me at first—Is a ping pong ball really that great a toy? I would think skeptically—before he began to demonstrate whatever surprising and amazing thing the item did. He always seemed to enjoy showing me or my sisters just as much as we enjoyed discovering. It inspired me to want to learn more about science and the natural world.
ReplyDeleteHe took me to museums, and gave me computer gadgets he had collected. I recently came across a letter I wrote him, thanking him for giving us his old computer and telling him about a science fiction story I was trying to write. I knew he would want to know about it. I remember his smile and his chuckling laughter. I miss him.