Michael Joseph McMahon

1940 - 2023

News story
By Mark Zaborney
Blade Staff Writer

Michael Joseph McMahon, who made a business of recycling and repurposing, from paper products – including computer punch cards decades ago – to truck trailers and office equipment, died Friday in his central Toledo home. He was 83.

He'd been in declining health the last three years, his son, Robert McMahon, said.

He remained owner and operator of Recycle with Michael, which he founded in 1977, and still answered the company phones, said his son, Michael Sean McMahon, who worked with him.

Mr. McMahon began in the business by working as an independent broker for what was then State Iron & Metal Co. That firm moved to West Central Avenue and changed its name to State Paper & Metal. Mr. McMahon opened his own business in an adjoining building.

"When we were little, we'd go with him every day. He'd go and pick up barrels of punch cards from businesses, and recycle school testing forms," said son Robert, who also worked with him for years.

Mr. McMahon set up church newspaper drives through contacts he had at Catholic parishes, and he shared the proceeds with the parishes.

"It was a win-win for everybody," son Michael said. The trailers brought to the churches for the newspaper drives when acquired sometimes contained unwanted office or industrial equipment, which he in turn recycled or resold.

"He was personable and smart and able to negotiate," son Michael said. "He did have satisfaction in repurposing. If it was recycling per se, then old became new, and if it was equipment that was used, it could become new for someone else."

Even at home, he tried to minimize the amount the family discarded.

"He believed in the cause, not just because it was something he did for a living. He was trying to instill those values always," son Robert said. "He hated the idea of anything ever going to the landfill."

"He chose to do what he did because he believed in what he was doing, as opposed to thinking it was the most lucrative thing to do," he said.

His first jobs were at Toledo Clutch and Brake, run by his stepfather, Richard Schlichting.

"He worked all the way up from the bottom, because his stepdad wanted him to know every single detail of how the place was run and operated," son Michael said.

Mr. McMahon became vice president and was with the firm until 1974. He later was a broker in stocks and commodities for a time.

He was born Feb. 3, 1940, in Toledo to Jayne and Henry Joseph McMahon. He attended the former St. Ann parish and school in central Toledo and was a graduate of Central Catholic High School.

He later received a bachelor's degree in industrial management and marketing from the University of Toledo.

He'd been a friend of the late Msgr. Jerome Schmit, retired youth director of the Diocese of Toledo, who formerly oversaw the Catholic Club, where Mr. McMahon often volunteered.

At St. Francis DeSales Church on Cherry Street, Mr. McMahon served on the parish council and sang in the choir.

His faith "meant everything," son Michael said. "He knew he was saved by the body and blood of Jesus Christ. That drove him."

Surviving are his wife, the former Utz Wenninger, whom he married in 1980; sons Robert McMahon, Daniel McMahon, and Michael Sean McMahon, and four grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 2-7 p.m. Thursday in Sujkowski Funeral Home Northpointe, with a recitation of the Rosary at 6:30 p.m. The funeral Mass will begin at 11 a.m. Friday in Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church.

The family suggests tributes to a charity of the donor's choice.