Bernard Michael McVicar

Bernard ("Mac"/"Bernie") Michael McVicar of York, Pennsylvania, recently relocated from Fredericksburg, VA, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family on August 14, 2025.
Born on September 30, 1943 in Detroit, MI to Duncan and Sophie (nee Romin) McVicar, one of 10 children.
Bernie spent after school hours in early years farming and trapping, selling muskrat pelts to Sears Roebuck for $1, and mink for $30. At age 12, he worked in a pickle factory with 12' vats of pickles, which turned him off pickles for the rest of his life.
Bernie enlisted in the Marine Corps at the age of 17 and served honorably in Japan, Vietnam, and at Quantico. After 6 years in the military, Mac drove a cab in D.C. for a year before signing on with Associated Builders, where he walked into the boss's office and asked for a set of drawings to study. Three years later, he was Chief Engineer despite having only a partial high school education. He went on to manage the construction of 14 KFCs in the Fredericksburg, VA and Washington D.C. areas. When asked if his tools ever got stolen, he responded, "No, but we were always ready to fight!"
Bernie was an exceptional carpenter and woodworker who always had a home improvement project in the works, and also enjoyed gardening. He was a kind and generous man who gave projects ranging from elaborate clocks to decorative wooden wall art to wheelchair ramps to family, friends, and neighbors. He also kept the art of handwritten correspondence alive through letters and thank you notes.
Beginning in his 40's, Mac began to go to the gym, and in his late 60s, achieving a 350-pound bench press and regularly stacking on a thousand pounds on the leg sled. Mac had a great time with friendly competition in the gym, all of which were 30 years younger. He was an inspiration and a motivator to many.
Mac was a family man. He, as all of the family, are very proud to represent the name McVicar. He was always very proud of his brothers and sisters, held a high respect for his mother, was very proud and protective of his kids, and adored his grandchildren.
Bernie had a great sense of humor, was good looking, honest, hard-working, and a man who loved his family deeply and was a devout Catholic.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Eileen Partsch McVicar, and his son, Mark McVicar.
He is survived by his sons, Jeffrey McVicar and David McVicar, daughter, Courtney McVicar, grandchildren Rachael, Morgan, Trett, Magnuss, Landon, Trevin, Hailey, David Jr., and Paige, and great-grandchildren Cameron and Chloe.
Visitations will be held Friday, August 29, 2025 from 6-8pm at John W. Keffer Funeral Home, 2114 West Market St. York, and Saturday, August 30, 2025 from 9-10am at St. Mary's Church, 309 S. George St. York. Mass will begin following the visitation, at 11am, with Rev. John Kuchinski as celebrant. Interment will follow at Susquehanna Memorial Gardens with full military rites presented by the York County Veterans Honor Guard.