“Each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around, he leaves an awful hole doesn’t he?”
– Clarence to George; It’s A Wonderful Life

Peter A. McCoy, Jr., 72, of Timberville, Virginia passed away comfortably at home   surrounded by family on May 25, 2024 after having lived a full life built on hard work, achievement, love, and inspiring integrity. His vivacious personality and infectious laugh will be missed and certainly never forgotten.

Born in Anawalt, West Virginia to the late Peter A. McCoy Sr. and Elouise P. McCoy, Pete (Chip) was raised in Waynesboro, Virginia, attending Wilson Memorial High School before transferring to Fishburne Military School. He went on to graduate from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (VA Tech) as a Business Finance Major, Minor in Science (1975).

He courted and then married the love of his life, Rita Critzer McCoy, in 1972. Together they built a business and started a family in Waynesboro, VA. There he was a deacon at First Presbyterian Church, an active member of the Jaycees, Kiwanis Club, and the National Home Furnishings Association as a successful retail business owner.

He and Rita relocated the family to Timberville in 1986, a nice middle point between his businesses. He opened McCoy’s Waterbed Showcase in Harrisonburg, then expanded locations into Charlottesville, Staunton, Harrisonburg, Winchester and Front Royal. He was keen to support local charities and foundations, including the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank and Little League Baseball programs. After a 30-year run, he closed the remaining flagship store in Waynesboro VA in 2013, retiring as a country gentleman.

He treated everyone with respect, made his employees, friends, and colleagues feel like family. He sacrificed much to provide for his family. He never missed birthdays, sporting events, art shows, and certainly never turned down tickets to a great concert as his children grew older, graduated college, and started their own families.

One of the greatest joys of his life was being “Pap” to his four surviving grandchildren; Leif Wallace McCoy, Lennon Michael McCoy, Eleanor Dabney McCoy, and Henry Harford McCoy (Harry). He embraced and valued his time with them and passed along his propensity for music, the outdoors, and living life to its fullest. His love shines through each of them brightly.

An avid golfer, traveler, and self-proclaimed ‘foodie’, he loved to be part of the action (and was often the center of it). As a young man he found a love of music and played in his first Rock-N-Roll band: The Zodiacs, eventually becoming a well-respected local musician; playing, gigging, and recording with several bands (most notably The Healers, and The Poppa Groove Bone Band), he shared his love of the stereo and music far and wide.

Along with his wife of 52 years, Rita Critzer McCoy, his spirit lives on through daughter Ashley M. McCoy; sons Peter A. McCoy III, Jesse B. McCoy and wife Anne (Ritter) McCoy. Though born a single child, he inherited a lifetime of camaraderie and siblinghood with members of the Critzer Family, children of the late Wallace and Marie Critzer; Donna, Tommy, Phillip and wife Angie, Tina and husband Rodney, Patrick and wife Lynne; nieces, nephews, cousins, as well as many of the tight-knit McCoy Clan.

He continued serving his community in retirement as a quiet mentor to young business owners, and as a Board Member of Sunnyside Retirement Community.

A forever fan of “paying it forward”, he encourages us all to march-on.

“Remember, no man is a failure who has friends”
-Clarence to George
It’s A Wonderful Life

A brief service will be held at McMullen Funeral Home, 5784 Greenmount Road, Harrisonburg, VA 22802 on Saturday, June 8, 2024 at 10:00am. There will be no viewing or interment; family will greet those who wish to share their condolences from 11:00a- 12:30p.

Although being a participant in this journey is more than enough, as a family we have decided to spread the love the best we can. Ever a dynamic individual, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Association for Music Education and/or The Land Trust of Virginia in Pete’s name.

National Association for Music Education
585 Grove Street
Ste 145 #711
Herndon, VA 20170

https://donorbox.org/give-to-nafme

Your gift will provide music teachers with the support they need to continue to learn, share and collaborate while meeting the needs of all music students. Together we can ensure that music remains fundamental in a student’s education.

The Land Trust of Virginia
119 The Plains Rd
Suite 200
Middleburg, VA 20117

https://www.landtrustva.org/donate

Your gift will protect important wildlife habitats, clean water, farmland, and forestry in Virginia. You will also inspire families and children, the future leaders of conservation, to experience and care about the special places of the region—something conservation needs to flourish for generations.

Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.mcmullenfh.com.

McMullen Funeral Home in Harrisonburg is in charge of arrangements.