Donald Harold McKay

Donald Harold McKay, 74, of Largo, Fla., and Oscoda died peacefully in his sleep at his home in Oscoda on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011.
He was born on Dec. 21, 1936, in Flint, the second son of Harold and Bernice McKay. Don was a 1955 graduate of Flint Central High School and an alumnus of Eastern Michigan University.
In 1959, he married Nancy Jane McLeod at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Flint. Married for 52 years, they had three children, Mark McKay (Largo, Fla.), Martha McKay Canter (Rich, Seminole, Fla.) and Marianne McKay Swager (Rick, Largo, Fla.). They all survive him.
After serving in the United States Army at Fort McPherson in Atlanta from 1960-1962, Don returned to Michigan to join the family business. He was a lifelong butcher with grocery stores and butcher shops in Flint and Good­rich and in Largo, Fla. He was a perennial learner with a zest for life.
People will remember Don for his excellent sense of humor. He enjoyed traveling, reading, learning about his Scottish ancestry, doing crossword puzzles, completing other people's crossword when they were stumped, watching sports, spending time with his friends and family and generally misbehaving. Don trained several apprentice butchers over the years, which gave him immense pleasure.
Above all else, he was happiest in the company of his grandchildren, who survive him, Adam McKay and his wife Allison, Megan McKay, Katie Canter, Jacob Swager, Emma Canter and Zane Swager, all of Florida. Don also leaves behind three beloved brothers, Bill McKay (Detroit), Al McKay (Flint) and George McKay (Verna, Oscoda and LaPorte, Ind.); several dear McKay and McLeod nieces and nephews; extensive family in Florida, Michigan and elsewhere; and more friends than any man could have hoped for in one lifetime.
There will be memorial services for Don at St. Jerome Catholic Church in Largo in October and at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Oscoda in the spring of 2012. His ashes will be interred at Bay Pines National Cemetery in Florida. Contact Marianne McKay Swager at marianneswager@gmail.com for details. Nancy and family request that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in his memory to All Children's Hospital Foundation, PO Box 3142, St. Petersburg, FL 33731-3142. In lieu of that, raise a toast to Papa.
Cremation arrangements are by Buresh Funeral Home in Oscoda. An on-line guest registry is available at www.bureshfuneralhomes.com.