Obituary of Robert Courtney McGee

Robert (Bob) Courtney McGee passed away on August 22, 2022 at the age of 86. He was a Darien resident for 30 years and lived in Norwalk for the past 19 years. He was predeceased by his loving wife of 59 years, Carol Dawn McGee. Robert is survived by two daughters Carrie McGee Yurof and her husband Lawrence Yurof and Anne Bonanno. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Leonardo Bonanno, Katharine Fausel and Ellen Cervone and her husband Thomas; three great grandsons Corbin, Thomas and Robert Cervone and a son in law John Muldoon. He was predeceased by his daughter Elizabeth Muldoon, three brothers William, Donald, and Harold McGee and a sister Jean Haut. Robert was born and raised in Norfolk, Virginia and was the son of Percy and Carrie McGee. After graduating from Granby High School in Norfolk, Robert received a four year scholarship to Michigan State University to play in the nationally renowned Michigan State University Marching and Concert bands. He played clarinet and bass clarinet and performed in concerts and parades coast to coast including the Rose Bowl parade and game. Robert graduated from Michigan State with a degree in Business. After college he served in the United States Navy on a destroyer out of Newport, Rhode Island and Barcelona, Spain. Robert was an avid supporter of Michigan State University serving as Vice President of the Detroit, Michigan Alumni Club, founder and President of the Grosse Pointe, Michigan Alumni Club and founder and 9 year President of the Michigan State Alumni Club of Greater New York. He was awarded the National Alumni service award in 1989. He was currently serving on the New York Club board of directors. He also served on the National Alumni Board of Directors. He was a member of the Michigan State Presidents Club. Robert NEVER missed a Michigan State football or basketball game on television. Robert began his 49 years in the book publishing industry at J.L. Hudson Company in Detroit, Michigan. He purchased books for 7 stores and traveled yearly to Europe to purchase rare books, fine bindings, autographed documents and religious articles. In 1973 he moved to Connecticut to start a wholesale division for Walden Book Company and its 2,000 stores. His office and showroom were at the Algonquin Hotel which has a long literary history. In 1979 he moved to the publishing side of the business and served as Executive Director of Promotional Sales for Crown Publishers and Random House. He retired from Random House in 1996. After two months of retirement Robert chose to go back to work and served as Executive Sales Director at Running Press and Publications International, New York. He retired for good in 2009. Robert was the author and contributor to numerous Publishers Weekly articles. He also served on the National Board of Directors for the American Booksellers Association. Robert was an active member at First Congregational Church of Darien for 49 years serving on the Church Council, Board of Deacons, and Board of Outreach. He was a member of the Board of Directors for the Ledgebrook Condominium Association. In retirement Robert found great purpose volunteering at the Open Door Shelter in Norwalk. He received the volunteer of the year award in 1996 for his work with the Homeless Interfaith Network. A memorial Service will be held for Robert on Sunday, October 9, 2022 at 2pm at the First Congregational Church of Darien. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Robert's memory to the First Congregational Church of Darien, Memorial Garden, 14 Brookside Road, Darien, CT 06820.