Duncan McGeachy was born in St. Stephen, NB on June 27, 1927. After completing public school in his hometown, he attended Acadia University: 1944-1946; McGill: 1946-1949 (BSc [P.E.]); Mount Allison: 1964 (BEd); UNB: 1971 (MEd) and University of Maine: Orono: (C.A.S.). During his university studies he was the recipient of numerous scholarships and bursaries. He taught two years in the Halifax City System (1949-1951) and 33 years in St. Stephen (1951-1984) with 25 of them as a principal. During his teaching career he coached a variety of teams, both boys and girls. Together with his wife, Flo, he was part of the first husband and wife team to officiate basketball as I.A.A.B.O. members. He held various offices with the N.B. Basketball Officials and Provincial Basketball Associations. In 1967 he managed New Brunswick's first Canadian Winter Games Basketball Teams in Quebec City. He was honored with the New Brunswick Basketball Association Merit Award in 1997. Also active in Track and Field, he was co-coach of the New Brunswick Team at the Canadian National Exhibition. In the field of education he was a member of the Canadian College of Teachers. On his retirement he was made a Life Member of the N.B. Principals' Association.
During 1984-1985 he was appointed a Commissioner with the New Brunswick Language Commission. His community activities include 40 years as a Kiwanian, serving as club president and in 1980 as Fundy Division Lieutenant-Governor. He was made a member of the Legion of Honor in 1992. A member of the Chamber of Commerce, he served as local president and as a provincial director. He founded Chocolate Fest and co-chaired the group that opened the Chocolate Museum. He also served on the St. Stephen Development board, holding the office of president for a number of years. He served in the C.O.T.C. (Acadia), the Princess Louise Fusiliers (Res) Halifax and as an instructor and chief instructor of the #1180 St. Stephen High Cadet Corps for many years.
Duncan McGeachy was awarded the Centennial Medal in 1967 for his military service. For his extensive community involvement he received the Queen's Silver Jubilee Medal in 1977, the Queen's Golden Jubilee medal in 2002. and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2013. He served for 40 years as a Kiwanian as club president and in 1980 as Fundy Division Lieutenant-Governor; in 2014 he was elected life member of this club. In 1998 he was named Town of St. Stephen's Citizen of the Year. He is the only Canadian serving as director of the Downeast Heritage Center located in Calais, ME. He is also on the Board of the St. Croix Estuary Project. In 2011 he was inducted into the New Brunswick Sports Hal of Fame. He was active with the Charlotte County Branch of the New Brunswick Society of Retired Teachers for many years. He also served as a director, vice-president (2003-2004), president (2004-2008) and past president (2008-2014 ) of the provincial organization. Married to the former Florence I. Griffith, they have three sons and two daughters, 12 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.
Duncan McGeachy has surely been one of the most active citizens and educators in the history of the province of New Brunswick.
