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Durward McVey Obituary
Durward "Mac" McVey, Jr.
June 13, 1933 - May 17, 2023
MADISON - Mac McVey, age 89, passed away peacefully on May 17, 2023, at his home in Madison, WI, with Carolyn, his beloved wife of 48 years, at his side.
He was born June 13, 1933, in Greenwood, WI. Predeceased by his parents Durward and Louise McVey and sister Judy (Don) Hendrickson, the McVey family moved many times as Mac's parents pursued their academic and teaching careers. From Westboro, Dorchester, Viola, and finally to New Glarus. Working at the local drugstore and being the quarterback on the New Glarus High School football team were highlights he enjoyed reminiscing about.
Mac received his BS in Education from UW-Lacrosse in 1957, taking an interruption for a two-year stint in the U.S. Army, serving in both the U.S and Germany. Soon after that he began his teaching career in Racine, WI. In 1959, he joined the Madison Metropolitan School District to teach at Lowell School. After receiving his MS degree in Education Administration at Northwestern University in 1965 he became an Elementary Principal, serving at numerous Madison schools, including Lowell, Emerson, Lakeview, Crestwood, Longfellow, Randall, and Franklin.
Mac retired in 1993, after 36 years in education, 28 serving as an Elementary School Principal. He spent his retirement walking his two cherished dogs, a voracious reader of novels and history, traveling to spend time with family and of course following his favorite teams: the Green Bay Packers, Wisconsin Badgers, and the Chicago Cubs.
He is survived by his devoted wife, Carolyn; stepchildren: Ashley (Jessica) Morrison and Anja (Patrick) Carroll; and grandchildren: Ellen Morrison, Colin Morrison, Timothy (Kendra) Carroll and Danny (Jackie) Carroll.
Mac's life will be honored at a private memorial service in June.
Please share your memories at www.cressfuneralservice.com.
Cress Funeral Service
3610 Speedway Rd.
Madison, WI 53705
608-238-3434
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Durward McVey
Sponsored by Cress Funeral & Cremation Service - Madison West.
5 Entries
Julie Pophal
June 12, 2023
My Mom, Mabel Minor, was Mac's school secretary for many years. She spoke very highly of him, especially putting up with her many shenanigans. He was well respected by the staff and parents. A great legacy!
Sheryl Rowe
May 29, 2023
Mac was the best principal I ever worked with! He respected everyone for the skills they brought to the table and got the entire staff in leadership positions. I will forever remember his red face and neck that announced a peevish moment and his twinkle when we talked him into something he was going to agree with anyway. My deepest sympathies Carolyn and family...
Sandra Finn
May 29, 2023
Throughout my seventy-two years I have thought of Mr. McVey often and with fondness and gratitude. He was my fifth and sixth grade teacher at Lowell Elemantary, and was the most creative elementary teacher I had. In his classroom, desks were not arranged in rows but in one large circle so that his students could talk to him and to each other face to face. We watched the first space shot on a television he wheeled into his classroom. No other teacher in the school permitted this. And his classroom was filled with fascinating things: pulleys and catapults, flora and fauna, art and photos. He was strict but also had a good sense of humor. All that and he was also a very snappy dresser who combed his gorgeous red hair in a very cool (for the times) way. I wish I had kept up with his whereabouts because I thought of him often and would have loved to tell him that he provided the critical thinking building blocks that eventually lead to my earning a PhD. Children need good teachers, but Mr. McVey was an extraordinary one in my life. I extend my condolences to his family and friends.
The Staff of Cress Funeral & Cremation Service
May 27, 2023
Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
The Staff of Thompson Funeral Home
May 26, 2023
Offering our deepest sympathies during this time.
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