Michael Joel McCarty, aged 76, passed away peacefully on May 7, 2024, in Oakville, Ontario, with his loving family at his side.
Born on May 10, 1947, in Collingwood, ON, Michael was a devoted husband to his beloved wife, Marie, for 50 years. Together they moved from Orillia, where they met, to the Midland area where they raised a family and shared a lifetime of love, laughter, and cherished memories. Michael was known for his unwavering dedication to his family. As a loving Father to his sons, Adam (wife: Polly) and Ben (wife: Alison), a caring Grandfather to his Grandchildren, Weslee, Emma, and Poppy, and through his special connection to his sister-in-law Retta, and her children: Joanna Lee and Nicholas, he found joy in spending time with his loved ones, creating lasting memories that the family will cherish forever.
Michael's passion for golf was evident throughout his life. He spent countless hours on the golf course, where he not only honed his own skills but also shared his love for the sport with his sons. Adam and Ben, who now carry on his legacy, sharing his passion for golf and creating new memories on the course. His love of the game prompted him to establish Wye Golf Services in 1991, where he repaired clubs, did fittings and talked birdies and bogeys with the public for close to 30 years. When he wasn't focused on golf, Michael was a dedicated Hydro Lineman, first for Orillia Water, Light & Power, and then for the Midland Public Utilities, where he later became a supervisor.
His expertise and commitment to his work earned him the respect of his colleagues and the gratitude of his community. Outside of his professional endeavours and hobbies, Michael was known for his skilled handywork around the house and ability to fix most anything. He built two beautiful homes in the village of Wyebridge, and with his generous spirit, he was always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need. From swimming pools to basketball courts to a shuffleboard court later on in life, he did everything he could to give his family recreation and opportunity.
As a boy, you could find Michael watching trains roll through Orilla while snacking on black licorice and root beer and listening to his favourite band. His love of music was evident - the likes of Pink Floyd, The Beatles, Phil Collins and Gordon Lightfoot provided the soundtrack of his life. Michael was predeceased by his parents, Harold and Mary McCarty, and will be lovingly remembered by his birth Mother, Gretta Leighton of Stayner, ON.
A celebration of Michael's life will be held on May 11, 2024 at his home at 231 Fowley Drive in Oakville from 12:00pm-4:00pm, where family and friends will gather to honour his memory and share stories of the joy and laughter he brought into their lives.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital Foundation The family is truly thankful to OTMH for the incredible care they showed Michael in his final days, and where he ultimately succumbed to associated symptoms of Logopenic Progressive Aphasia. May Michael McCarty rest in peace - his legacy of love, kindness, and compassion living on in the hearts of all who knew him.
Arrangements entrusted to Glen Oaks Funeral Home & Cemetery