Henry A. McGinnis

Dr. McGinnis spent over 60 years contributing to Catholic education and to the fields of social work and mental health. A graduate of Xavier High School in New York City, Dr. McGinnis attended St. Michael’s College in Vermont following his service in the Army during WWII. He subsequently earned his MSW degree from St. Louis University. He began his career at the Child & Family Guidance Center in New York City, where he met his first wife, Margaret, with whom he had four daughters. After her passing, he married Lucille, a classmate from St. Louis University with whom he had a son and enjoyed 60 years of marriage.

He earned a doctorate in Sociology from St. John’s University in New York and, prior to relocating to South Florida, worked at several Catholic Social Service Agencies and served on the faculty of Fordham University’s Graduate School of Social Work, teaching and supervising students in their field work. In 1965, he founded the School of Social Work at Barry College in Miami, the first School of Social Work in South Florida. As Dean he hired the first faculty, led the creation of the curriculum, established admission procedures, and secured federal and state monies for scholarships and salaries. He shepherded the school from its inception through its first accreditation.

Dr. McGinnis established a private practice in marriage and family therapy following his tenure at Barry University School of Social Work. He remained active in national professional organizations, taught and lectured at institutions of higher learning, and served as a consultant to educational institutions. He conducted over 150 premarital programs in parishes in South Florida. Dr. McGinnis served as a contributor to the National Council on Disability for the Americans with Disabilities Act. In 2003, in recognition of his professional accomplishments and years of service, the Alumni Association of the St. Louis University School of Social Service presented him with the Jack and Julie Lally Distinguished Alumni Merit Award.

Outgoing and affable, Henry enjoyed spending time with his family, dancing, traveling, learning foreign languages, playing chess with his grandchildren, and telling jokes and stories. In Henry's later years, he enjoyed the company and thoughtfulness of extended family, friends, and many compassionate aides and caregivers who became like family to him. He looked forward to his days at St. Anne's Adult program, where he attended chapel daily and was affectionately known as "Doc."

He is survived by five children, ten grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 11:30am at St. Monica Church, 831 Genesee St., Rochester, NY. Interment with military honors will follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to The Henry A. McGinnis Scholarship Fund at Barry University School of Social Work (www.barry.edu/giveMcGinnis).