Staff Sergeant Randon T. McMaster, age 49, passed away peacefully, with his wife at his side, at Strong Memorial Hospital on Monday, May 29, 2023, after a long battle with cancer. Randon was a decorated veteran who served in the United States Army for 26 years.

Randon was born on January 26, 1974, in Elmira, NY to his parents, Roy McMaster and Ellen McMaster Davis. Randon, at age 18, joined the US Army and was stationed at Arlington Cemetery as a member of the Old Guard.  During his career, he was deployed several times, including tours of duty in both Iraq and Afghanistan. During those deployments, he created close relationships with some of his fellow military brothers and sisters, many of whom he remained in contact with for the rest of his life.

After his last tour of duty to Afghanistan, Randon was stationed in Germany. Upon his return from Germany, Randon became reacquainted with his high school friend, Jessica. The two were married in their hometown of Canandaigua in 2014.

Randon retired in 2018 from the Army at Ft. Drum, NY, and began working on his aeronautical degree at Vermont Tech.  After earning his private pilot rating in his second year of college, Randon was diagnosed with stage IV colorectal cancer in 2020, and had to discontinue his pursuit of a second career in aviation.

Randon led an active life, and had a passion for swimming, volleyball, and soaring (gliders), and participated in all those activities throughout his lifetime. In high school, Randon was a competitive swimmer and lifeguard at Canandaigua Academy. Later in life, those experiences in swimming and lifeguarding provided him with the experience necessary to train wounded soldiers for the Paralympics at the Warrior Transition Unit. Randon’s high school volleyball experience led to a lifelong love of the sport, and he eventually played in beach volleyball tournaments and supported local volleyball programs in NYS.  Randon was a long-time member of the Harris Hill Soaring Corporation. His first solo flight was in 1988 at the age of 14. Randon continued to soar after he retired from the Army, and he supported the junior soaring program up until his death.

Randon is survived by his loving wife, Jessica (Ashley) McMaster, their eight children, Andre, Christopher, Allison, Zachary, Brianna, Mitchell, Sarah, and Deirdre and grandson Jeremiah.  He is also survived by his parents, Roy McMaster, and Ellen (Norman) Davis, siblings, Wayne McMaster, Justin (Sandra) McMaster, Gambriellen Davis, Leigh Davis, Wayne (Amanda) Davis, as well as beloved nieces and nephews.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the Colon Club at https://www.colonclub.com/ or to the Harris Hill Junior Flying Club. Checks can be made out to the Harris Hill Juniors and be mailed to PO Box 544, Horseheads, NY 14845.

There will be a memorial service held on Saturday, June 10th at 11:00 am at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 183 N. Main Street, Canandaigua, NY, with a reception immediately following the service. There will be no calling hours.