Ilyo Lloyd McCray

Major Ilyo Lloyd McCray Ilyo Lloyd McCray, 77, passed away suddenly on December 22, 2022. Born to Echo Eloise (Akam) and Lloyd Norman McCray on November 28, 1945, Ilyo spent his childhood on the family farm in Columbus, PA, surrounded by a large extended family. He graduated in 1964 from Corry High School in Corry, PA, where he played football. He attended University of Pennsylvania until he was drafted into the US Army in 1968, where he served as a Special Forces Green Beret Medic in Vietnam. Although Ilyo rarely spoke of his experience, he felt lucky to have survived and lived the life he did. In April 1971, Ilyo successfully completed one of the first Physician Assistant programs at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Hospital, designed specifically for those who served in the military as medics. It was there, in Hanover, NH, where he met Carloyn Kay Holland whom he wed November 6, 1971. They were happily married for 51 years. After finishing his bachelor's degree at Windham College, in Putney, VT, he took a job for three years as a physician's assistant working on the Alaska pipeline in both Delta Junction and Pump Station 9. Ilyo and Carolyn bought a home in Grand Isle, VT, in 1974, sight unseen from Alaska. Upon their return to Vermont, Ilyo worked with the Visiting Nurses' Association to establish health services in the Champlain Islands and continued the work with Dr. David Hobbs at the Health Center in Grand Isle and Keeler Bay Family Practice. In 1980, he enlisted in the National Guard of Vermont. This position led him to take a flight medicine and helicopter training in Texas in the fall of 1990, which introduced him to a position in the US Army in Indiantown Gap, PA. In 1994, in an attempt to work closer to home Ilyo transferred from the US Army to the US Air Force, just before the news that Plattsburgh Air Force base would close. Over his career, while his family remained in Vermont, Ilyo was stationed at the following Air Force bases: Griffiss in Rome, NY, McGuire-Dix in NJ, and Cannon in Clovis, NM. He retired from the Air Force December 31, 2002. In his retirement, he worked for Veteran's Administration in Burlington where he valued and empathized with his patients. He read the Burlington Free Press Obituaries daily to honor those he knew and cared for. Ilyo was active in his community throughout his life, not only working in the health center and on Grand Isle Rescue in the late 70s and early 80s, but also recently serving as a Grand Isle Cemetery Commissioner. Ilyo was also an active member of the South Hero Congregational Church, where he sang in the choir and was a Trustee. In his spare time, Ilyo had a love of restoring antique tractors and maple sugaring, activities that tied him to memories of his parents and grandparents while creating new memories with his family. Ilyo most enjoyed and was happiest spending time with his granddaughters, but also watched all things "cowboy" on TV, moving rocks on the lakefront, and tinkering in his garage. Ilyo is survived by his wife, Carolyn; their three daughters Margo Lindsey McCray Antonioli (husband Michael), Kimberly Holland McCray-Woodruff (husband Roger), and Rebecca Ellery McCray (fiancé John Hughes); his three granddaughters, Ryann, Rorie and Isla; his two sisters Sylvia McCray Jells and Cynthia McCray Mula; and two nieces Autumn Jells and Kira Mula. Ilyo is predeceased by his parents and his brother Charles. Visiting Hours will be held at Minor Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Milton, Vermont, on Thursday, December 29, 2022, from 3 to 5 PM. The Funeral Service will be held at South Hero Congregational Church on Friday, December 30, at 10 AM. A family burial will take place at Grand Isle Cemetery in the spring. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Grand Isle Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 79, Grand Isle, VT 05458, or Colchester Rescue Squad, 687 Blakely Road, Colchester, VT 05446.