Each and every day, thousands of Queen’s students, unbeknownst to them, benefit from the vision and generosity of alumnus Pat McNally, Sc’39. In honour of Pat, one of the donors to the University Avenue revitalization project, the pathway east of University Avenue between Kingston Hall and Nixon Field is named the Professors' Walk.
“Ten years ago, when construction on the project had just started, I visited Pat at his home. I remember he was energetic and astutely aware of the progress on the project. He offered insightful advice, which ultimately helped the project move forward,” says Tom Harris, Sc’75, Vice-Principal (Advancement).
The project, completed in 2008, restored University Avenue as the iconic and ceremonial main street of campus. The restoration widened the sidewalks to create more space for people and greenery, increased bench seating and made the roadway more accessible for pedestrians and cyclists. The project received the City of Kingston’s Livable City Design Award of Merit for Context, Accessibility and Community Significance.
At 101 years of age, Pat passed quietly in Waterdown, Ontario on June 3, 2016. Pat lived by the theme that anything is possible if you are lucky enough to have family to support you and education to guide you. Queen’s pride and education runs deep within the McNally family as nine of Pat’s descendants have attended and graduated from the university including: Pat’s sons Michael McNally, Sc’68, Chris McNally, Sc’77 and Dr. Paul McNally, PhD’75 and Pat’s grandchildren Heather McNally, Artsci’01, MSc’04, Simon McNally, Sc96, Gregory McNally, Sc’10, Jennifer McNally, Artsci’04, Victoria McNally, Artsci’00 and Beth McNally Sc’00. “I remember being struck by Pat’s pride for Queen’s and love of his family,” says Harris.
Drawing on his family's background as homebuilders and his education at Queen’s as a Mining Engineer, Pat had a successful professional life – first in the hard rock mines of Northern Quebec, then in general construction in Montreal and the Maritimes, and ultimately as partner and chief engineer of S. McNally & Sons with his brothers. He was a pioneering contractor who helped build the infrastructure of Southern Ontario, especially below ground, where his innovative mining techniques created the region's most prominent tunneling contractor.
Pat retired in 1979 and spent the balance of his life as a successful investor, incessant benefactor to young people and supporter of community needs. He paid tuition for many young people and helped young families afford their first homes. He was in various ways indispensable in the startups of Clappison Veterinary, C&M McNally Engineering, McNally Robinson Booksellers, QNX Software Systems and McNally Jackson Booksellers. He was a longtime benefactor and volunteer with Queen's University, as well as, The Royal Botanical Gardens, the Bruce Trail Conservancy, and the Rotary Club. In 2015, he set up a family foundation to provide recreation for families, starting with a new skating oval now nearing completion in Memorial Park in Waterdown.
Pat married Anne Elizabeth (Libby) Powell in Montreal and together they raised four sons and a daughter. He was predeceased by Libby and by his six siblings. He is remembered by sons, John, Michael, Paul, Christopher, daughter, Joyce Police and by 19 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.
Pat, Thank you.
