Rev. Dr. Alan C. Macy

Rev. Dr. Alan C. Macy, a longtime resident of Great Barrington, died August 1, 2025.

Alan was born March 28, 1925 in New York City and raised by his adoptive parents, Alan Dent Macy and Gertrude (Bremiller) Macy, in Hyde Park, NY. He graduated from Roosevelt High School and The Peddie School before entering Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in 1942.

He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in World War II and spent three years in the Pacific Fleet serving on the USS Cape Esperance (CVE-88) and a naval base in Guam. After the war, Alan returned to RPI and earned a degree in Management Engineering in 1951.

During his RPI years, Alan’s high school friend, Shirley Briggs, arranged a blind date with her Russell Sage classmate, Maryanna ‘Midge’ Giddings. Alan and Maryanna married in 1947, had three children and shared 72 years together before her passing in 2020.

Following college, Alan became an associate editor for High Fidelity magazine. He was also a partner in a company that designed and installed high-fidelity equipment, and secured a patent for a loud speaker enclosure in 1954.

In 1961, Alan was licensed as a journeyman electrician. Soon after, he joined the Massachusetts Department of Public Works as a traffic signal electrician. He retired in 1988 as District Traffic Engineer.

Throughout his life, Alan was active in his community and church. He was an actor/director in community theater, square dance caller, champion bowler,  enjoyed poker games and annual hunting trips to Vermont with lifelong friends. His meticulously-planned backyard garden was a testament to his engineering skills.

Alan became a lay minister in the United Church of Christ in 1975 and furthered his call to ministry as he approached retirement. He graduated from Andover-Newton Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry, was ordained at 62 and delivered his last official sermon at 90. Alan served churches in Westfield and throughout the Berkshires, specializing in leading congregations through pastor transitions. He also served as Interim Associate Conference Minister for the Western Area of the Mass Conference United Church of Christ. He retired in 2002.

In their later years, Alan and Maryanna enjoyed traveling to national parks and historic sites in the U.S. and Canada, golfing, gardening and visiting family.

Alan is survived by his three children, David Macy (Kathy) of North Haven, ME; Marsha Johnson (Hugh) of Randolph, VT; and Nancy Macy of Great Barrington; four grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and his dearest cousin, Nancy Black of Brooklyn.

He was predeceased by his wife, Maryanna, in 2020.

Calling hours will take place at Finnerty and Stevens Funeral Home at 426 Main Street, Great Barrington, on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, from 4:00-6:00 PM. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, August 13th at 10:00 AM at the First Congregational Church at 251 Main Street, Great Barrington. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery.

Donations in memory of Alan may be made to the Alzheimer's Association in c/o Finnerty and Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230.