Duncan J. McCully

Mr. Duncan J. McCully, age 64, formerly of New Hartford and more recently a resident of Marco Island FL, passed away on Saturday, May 6, 2006 in the comfort of his home with his wife by his side. Born in Oswego NY on July 11, 1941, Duncan was the son of the late Donald and Hope (Carpenter) McCully. He received his B.A. from Utica College; concurrent with his collegiate studies, he was also a radio personality with WIBX. He subsequently earned his Masters Degree from Syracuse University. A veteran of the military, he served his country in the U.S. Army. In 1976 he was joined in marriage with the former Tonia “Toni” Paniccia. Duncan and Toni attained great happiness, fulfillment, and contentment in their marriage. Throughout his career in public relations and marketing, Mr. McCully established himself as a well-respected professional. Many Uticans will remember him for his tenure with the F.X. Matt Brewery where he was instrumental in the development of the Tour Center. Among his other achievements, one of the most noteworthy was his employment as General Manager of the Utica-Rome Cellular Telephone Co., a firm which also operated as Advantage Cellular. Duncan was a man of simple needs and pleasures. His greatest blessings in life were those which he derived from his devoted and loving family, his home, and his many wonderful friends. As a civic-minded community leader, he was involved in many local organizations: for example, he was a member and past president of both the Mohawk Valley Advertising Club and the Utica Symphony Orchestra. One of Duncan’s favorite leisure activities was golf. He was a communicant of St. Agnes Church. Mr. McCully is survived by his wife, Toni; his daughter, Kristin A. McCully of Utica; and two sons, Frank S. McCully and Kristin Fairbrother of Utica, and Thomas A. McCully and Miya Burt of Chadwicks. His survivors also include two brothers and a sister-in-law, Robert and Brenda McCully of Portland ME, and Donald McCully of Alaska; his stepmother, Ceil DeLuca of Rochester; his half-sister and her husband, Roberta and Ronald Fey of Rochester; and a sister-in-law and her husband, Kathy and O.J. Congdon. Duncan also leaves a number of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins; his mother-in-law, Angeline “Lil” Paniccia of Utica; and his in-laws, Sue and James Hoke, Sam and Sandy Paniccia, and Marlene and John Belensky. He was blessed with the close and enduring friendships of Calvin and Nancy Jones of New Hartford, and Dick and Jenny Plawecki of Marco Island FL, all of whom he regarded as family. He was predeceased by his brother, NYS Trooper Bruce McCully who passed away in the line of duty; his father-in-law, Frank Paniccia; and his longtime friend, Pat Fausto. A memorial gathering of Duncan’s family and friends will be held today (Wednesday) from 4-6 at the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave. Please omit floral offerings. For those wishing to do so, please consider memorial donations in Mr. McCully’s honor to the Professor Ray Simon Convergence Media Center at Utica College; envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Relatives and friends are also respectfully invited to attend a Memorial Service for Duncan on Thursday morning at 10:30 at St. Agnes Church.

Duncan J. McCully

July 11, 1941 - May 6, 2006