McCormick, Timothy Robert

February 7, 1946- December 23, 2017
Fairport, NY: Timothy R. McCormick passed peacefully with grace, strength and determination, on December 23, 2017 surrounded by his wife of almost 50 years, Joan M. McCormick, and his family, after a life filled with love, humility and an enduring sense of optimism and humor.
Tim was born and raised in northern New Jersey by his dedicated parents who predeceased him, John William and Helen (McLaughlin) McCormick. He attended St. Paul’s Elementary School in Clifton, NY and Seton Hall Preparatory High School in West Orange, NJ, as well as Seton Hall University where he received a BA and MA in history. Tim’s career and unwavering devotion to healthcare began when he entered the Medical College of Virginia where he received an additional MA degree in hospital administration.
Following, Tim served as administrator on the Project Hope hospital ship in Washington, DC before accepting the position of nursing home administrator at Park Ridge Hospital in 1973 where he launched a 40-plus year career in the Rochester community. In 1979 Tim was appointed president & CEO of Park Ridge Hospital at the age of 33. More than 30 years later he retired as one of the longest serving health system CEOs in NYS. Tim worked tirelessly to build a culture focused on employee engagement and patient-focused care. Tim loved Unity and its people. During his recent hospitalization, Tim expressed that while the facilities are beautiful, it’s Unity’s people that make it such a special place.
While Tim’s professional accomplishments were significant, his greatest joy was his family. In addition to his wife Joan, Tim is survived by his five children, son-in-law, and daughters-in-law, all of whom filled him with enormous pride: Kelly McCormick-Sullivan (Daniel Sullivan), TJ McCormick (Kate Murray), Daniel McCormick (Carin LeFevre), Peter McCormick and Katie McCormick. Additionally he is survived by his nine grandchildren whom he absolutely adored: Jack, Maeve and Brynn Sullivan, Kailyn, Olivia and Ashlinn Murray-McCormick, Hunter and Max McCormick, and Cora McCormick. Sisters Kathie and Patricia McCormick of Toms River, NJ. Brother John McCormick of Charlottesville, VA. Nephews and niece Sean and Ian McCormick; Chris and Carrie DiPietro. In addition to his parents, Tim was predeceased by his mother and father-in-law, Estelle (Pombrekas) Bednarksy and Vincent Bednarsky, sister-in-law Debra McCormick, brother-in-laws Vincent Bednarksy Jr., and Dennis DiPietro.
Throughout his life in Fairport, Tim was a member of both the Church of the Assumption and St. John of Rochester. His friendships spanned from preschool through graduate school to his Unity family and his life-long neighborhood friends. Tim had a deep love for Lake Owasco, NY and Bald Head Island, NC, where he and Joan spent decades building memories filled with family and dear friends. He was passionate about the success of the Seton Hall Pirates basketball team as well as any team or effort related to his kids and grandkids. He was committed to all-things Fairport, especially TK’s Pizza. Tim’s commitment to faith, family, friends, community and healthcare in Rochester inspired all whose lives he touched.
Tim’s family is deeply grateful to the kind, compassionate and talented team who cared for him over the past several years, especially Jim Haley, MD, Dave Dougherty, MD, Karen Mietus, RN, Jeff Allen, MD, Jan Dombrowski, MD, Nayef El-Daher, MD, and the entire team at Unity, Wilmot and Pluta. They were not only his caregivers, they were his friends. They have also been blessed with the spiritual guidance and friendship of Fr. Lou Vasile.
Calling hours will be held at St. John of Rochester, Fairport, NY from 4 to 7 pm on 12/29/17. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on 12/30/17 at 11am, at St. John of Rochester.
Memorial contributions may be made to Unity Hospital c/o RRH Foundation, 100 Kings Highway South, Suite 2300, Rochester, NY 14617.