Andrew James McElhinney, M.D., known as “Jim”, a retired Chief of Surgery at Bronx VAMC and Professor Emeritus of Surgery at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, died at his home in Pelham, NY on December 10, 2023. He was 95 years old, and at the time of his death, the longest living Pelham resident.
Born October 30, 1928, he was a 1946 graduate of Pelham Memorial High School and a graduate of the College of the Holy Cross and Cornell University School of Medicine. He was an accomplished surgeon in the fields of thoracic and vascular surgery. Dr. McElhinney was a widely published author, teacher and lecturer as well as a gifted surgeon.
His was an exemplary career of devoted service to his patients, to the training of generations of surgeons, as well as to the guidance and inspiration of his colleagues.
He retired in June of 2003 as Bronx VAMC Chief of Surgery after 35 years of dedicated service to veterans. Known as “Dr. Mac”, he was praised as a natural leader whose tenure was characterized by his skill, his compassion and his devotion to health and humanity.
Dr. McElhinney served as Medical Officer in the Department of the Navy, assigned to the Marine Corps, during the Suez Crisis in late 1956 and in the Mediterranean as a consultant to the Sixth Fleet in a position that he considered still classified. He was a president of the Council of Chiefs of the Association of Veterans Affairs Surgeons and a president of the New York Celtic Medical Society.
He was an avid reader, sailor, sports enthusiast, and athlete. He was a proud participant in the Millrose Games at Madison Square Garden as a high school track star. He loved nothing more than to be part of a gathering of family and friends. He was a great conversationalist with vast knowledge spanning science, humanities and current events. He was interesting and interested in all topics and through his example brought out the best in others. His legacy is one of selflessness, compassion and service to others.
Devoted to his family, he is survived by his loving wife of 64 years Mary Frances St. John; his children: Andrew (Susan), Maura (Glenn), John (Wendy), Mary Clare (Cameron), Patricia (Taylor); and his grandchildren: William James, Caitlin, Kelley, Neal James, James, Avery, Brendan and Cuyler. A son Michael was predeceased.
A wake will be held at Pelham Funeral Home, 64 Lincoln Ave., Pelham NY 10803 on Friday, December 15, 2023 from 4:00 – 8:00 pm, and a mass will be held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 575 Fowler Ave., Pelham Manor, NY 10803 on Saturday, December 16, 2023 at 10:00 am. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his name to Doctors Without Borders.
Editor’s note: This obituary was provided by the Pelham Funeral Home.
