Obituary of Robert James Macaulay

Robert James Macaulay passed away peacefully at his home in Hilton Head Island, SC surrounded by his wife Maureen, stepdaughter Kristin DeJohn of Hilton Head and hospice workers on August 5^th.  Bob was predeceased by his parents Edward & Irene (Gaulin), brother Philip, his son Robert Callin, and his sister Belva and brother-in-law Harold Parsons.  He is survived by nieces Bonnie (Parsons) & husband Mark Denninger, daughter Jessica and Lori Parsons Gilbert & daughter Morgan.

Bob was born September 28^th, 1945, in Glens Falls, New York.  The family moved to Rochester in 1950.  He attended Brighton Elementary, Pittsford Sutherland High, John Carroll University and RIT.  He was quickly brought into the family business of Macaulay Machinery on Jefferson Road, Rochester.  He eventually purchased the business and went on to engineer it into the premier machine tool distributor in NYS.  He traveled extensively to Europe, Japan and South Korea to bring in new companies for his business.  The company celebrated 50 years in the 1990’s.

When Bob was interested in something, he attacked it with a passion.  He taught himself how to sail and nothing stopped him.  He and his crew of the 2^nd BottomLine won many awards.  He was an active member of Rochester Yacht Club for 45 years of racing his sailboat all over Lake Ontario.  His goal was to win the coveted Times Union trophy and flag that represented the best racing results of the year in 1988, which he did.  After that win, the Thousand Islands was calling him back from his teen years, so he purchased his first power boat.  Then a 2^nd BottomLine which he kept at the Thousand Island Club and would venture every weekend there to cruise around the Canadian and U.S. islands with his wife and dog.

Bob’s second life after closing his business in 2001 was to work for RCR Yachts for 7 years representing his favorite Sabre yachts in Maine and their offshoot, Back Cove.  He traveled all over to boat shows and made many friends along the way.

After that, a 3^rd life came, and he needed something to occupy his time.  Rochester General Hospital was close by, so he started volunteering there a couple days a week which grew into 5 days a week, again making new friends.  Sickness came along so he and his wife decided it was time to really retire and moved to Hilton Head Island in 2019.

Burial is at his family’s request.  Anyone wishing to make a donation in honor of his memory, can do so at Lollypop Farm, 99 Victor Road, Fairport NY 14450 – an animal shelter.