A Father’s Day Tribute: Morgan Powell (Tony) McKay, 1923-2011
I’ve been putting off this blog post for three weeks now, but Father’s Day seems like a fitting day for it.
Bee’s father passed away on May 24th, after undergoing several intense surgeries that lasted much longer than planned. He had been declining in health over the past six months, and he was willing to take the risk that the planned surgery posed in order to have a chance at a better quality of life. The doctors were hopeful that all would go well, but in the end, Tony’s heart was just too tired after the extra surgeries that were necessary. It was his time to go, although it came as a shock to us all. We are grateful that Bee and I were able to spend time with him and Bee’s mother at the hospital in the 48 hours leading up to his sudden death (especially Bee, who was able to take a day off work to be with his mom while she waited through the surgeries), as his passing came quite suddenly.
Tony was a great man, a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and a good friend to many. We miss him very much.
Bee’s sister wrote a lovely obituary, which follows. If you would like to read more, she also posted a more detailed account of what happened on her family blog (http://gimletblog.com/2011/05/28/in-memoriam-morgan-powell-tony-mckay-1923-2011).
“Morgan Powell (Tony) McKay, Jr. passed away on Tuesday, May 24, 2011 in Seattle, Washington at the age of 32,000 days.
During WWII he served his country in the Army as the communications chief for the 379th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion. He worked as an engineering technician in the Psychology, Electrical Engineering, and Civil Engineering departments of the University of Washington for 39 years and was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
He loved being active in the outdoors and instilled that love in his children. His REI membership number was 4179 and he rode his bicycle to work on the then-new Burke-Gilman Trail every day until he was in his 70s.
Blessed with a legendary memory and a love of poetry, music, and science, his curiosity about the world around him and interest in new things kept him young at heart.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the charity of your choice.
The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses of Swedish Hospital – Cherry Hill’s Cardiac ICU for their care and kindness.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 44 years, his four children, and his seven grandchildren. He is also survived by his younger brother. He has been reunited with his parents, his two younger sisters and youngest brother.
A gentleman and a scholar, to the very end possessing quiet dignity with a twinkle in his eye. Atque in perpetuum, pater, ave atque vale.”
It was sad to read this Curly and Bee. Grateful that Tony lived such an incredible life, however. He sounded like an amazing man.
Cali
thanks for posting that! you guys have been in our prayers.
Thank you. This is very nice. And I really cannot begin to thank you both for being there with me at the hospital.
Thinking of you guys – he sounds like he was and is an amazing man. Hugs to you both from Nebraska.
I enjoyed getting to know this wonderful man. I see many of his traits in Bee. An great example for his children to follow.