Obituary: Robert Joseph McGuirl Jr. Of New Rochelle

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — New Rochelle resident and chairman of the Westchester County Veterans Service Committee died Oct. 5 after being hospitalized for two weeks. Robert Joseph McGuirl Jr. was 69.

A statement issued by Westchester County said flags at the Michaelian Office Building in White Plains will be lowered to half-staff in McGuirl's honor.

"It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Robert 'Big Bob' McGuirl Jr. … Bob enlisted in the U.S. Army after graduating from Pelham Memorial High School in 1968 and served two tours in Vietnam for which he was awarded the Bronze Star, Army Commendation with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and the Vietnam Campaign Medal with 3 Battle Stars," the statement said.

In 2018, the county bestowed its Lifetime Achievement Award on McGuirl in celebration of his recognition as the "Chief Veterans Advocate" from the Veterans Service Committee.

"Bob was not only an asset to Westchester's veterans but to all Westchester residents, and his presence throughout the county will be sorely missed," the statement said.

McGuirl is survived by his three sisters, 10 nieces and nephews and 12 grandnieces and grandnephews, according to his obituary.

Visitation will from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Pelham Funeral Home, 64 Lincoln Avenue in Pelham. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday at S. Catherine's Church in Pelham, with interment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.

For more information, read his complete obituary here.

Find and “Like” Hudson Valley Patches' Facebook Pages.