Mike McCarthy

1957 - 2025

News story
By Debbie Rogers
Blade Staff Writer


Mike McCarthy, known for writing the stories and photographing the faces around Maumee for decades as leader of the Mirror newspaper, died unexpectedly on Saturday. He was 68.

Mr. McCarthy was editor, owner, and publisher of the Mirror newspapers. In addition to Maumee, the Mirror also had newspaper coverage in Waterville, Waterville Township, Whitehouse, and Monclova Township.

He is survived by his wife Carol, who also worked for the Mirror, and sons Denny and Michael.

Family members were not immediately available for comment. In a Saturday social media post, Denny McCarthy said arrangements have not yet been made.

"Please be patient with us as we collect our bearings during this heartbreaking time," he said.

Art Weber, former public information officer for Metroparks Toledo, worked for Mr. McCarthy for several years as a freelance writer, penning a nature column and photographing sports.

"He was the kind of person you wanted to work for," Mr. Weber said. "He really respected points of view; he respected the works of others."

"But mostly he was just a great person who went out of his way to treat everyone the right way," he said. "I always felt like Mike gave me my own voice, which is why I liked writing for him so much."

Most of all, Mr. McCarthy was a family man, who enjoyed following Detroit sports and spending summer days at his lake cottage, Mr. Weber said.

"I feel badly that he never got to retirement. He worked hard," Mr. Weber said. "I wish he and Carol would have had more time together."

Maumee Mayor Jim MacDonald said he knew Mr. McCarthy for most of his 40-year public service career, as police officer, police chief, and then mayor. The men shared a love for Detroit Tigers baseball and Red Wings hockey, the mayor said.

"He's a true champion of Maumee," Mayor MacDonald said. "Mike obviously is going to put his stamp on the history of Maumee. He's helped write our history with what he's done with the Mirror."

Nancy Gagnet, a former Blade reporter and current public information officer for the city of Maumee, said Mr. McCarthy gave her advice and patience as she honed her writing craft over 25 years at the Mirror.

She joined the newspaper as a stringer in the mid-1990s, took some time off when her youngest child was born, then was welcomed back to the staff.

"Mike was really an easy-going guy," Ms. Gagnet said. "Even when things were really serious he would have a chuckle somewhere."

Mr. McCarthy was known for his positive attitude, she said.

"He liked all of the good that was in the community, and he loved to highlight that," Ms. Gagnet said. "If it was important to the community, it was important to Mike: Local theater, Little League, business openings, any senior, library, or historical story."

"He was just a a huge fixture in Maumee and its main cheerleader. He will be greatly missed. This is a huge loss for Maumee," she said.

Blade sports reporter Mark Monroe also got his start at the Mirror.

"Mike represented everything that is good and important about small-town journalism. He took his role as a local historian very seriously, proudly documenting the stories of Maumee and its citizens over the last 45 years," Mr. Monroe said.

Mr. McCarthy would cover the wholesome stories that are the staple of weekly publications like the annual Little League baseball parade, new business profiles, and community event listings, Mr. Monroe said.

"Every young kid in Maumee loved seeing their name or photo in the paper. Mike loved sports, and he took pride in highlighting the accomplishments of the high school athletes at Maumee, Anthony Wayne, and Springfield high schools," Mr. Monroe said. "But he also did the important work of covering politics and city government, holding those in the city accountable in a fair and thorough manner. Mike also had a special place in his heart for veterans and did all he could to support them."

Mr. McCarthy was everything to the Mirror and Maumee, he said.

"He was the most devoted newspaperman I have ever known. He did it all. He was the owner, publisher, editor, reporter, columnist, photographer, advertising salesman - and everything else - at the Mirror," Mr. Monroe said. "Mike also was a great family man, a devoted dad and husband. He quickly became friends with everyone he met. He will be missed in so many ways by so many people."

Anthony Tscherne is finishing his second season as commissioner of Maumee Little League and got to know Mr. McCarthy through baseball.

"As a person, he honestly encapsulated what it was to be a community member," Mr. Tscherne said.

Mr. McCarthy supported baseball by covering games and opening day ceremonies, along with donating advertising space for registration and a call for coaches, he said.

Mr. Tscherne, who has a background in commercial photography, would never miss a chance to talk gear with Mr. McCarthy.

"He was so recognizable with that Nikon neck strap, black and yellow, you could just pick him out," Mr. Tscherne said. "And every time he pointed that camera at you, he was smiling, too. You felt it."

According to Mr. McCarthy's LinkedIn profile, he was founder, editor, and publisher of High and Inside Baseball Magazine, which he operated from 1975 to 1980. He closed the magazine, which featured the Detroit Tigers, in 1980 to co-found the Mirror newspaper with his parents.

Mr. McCarthy graduated from Trenton High School, Trenton, Mich., in 1975.

Steve Lee, Maumee schools superintendent, praised Mr. McCarthy's "unwavering support."

"His untimely passing deeply saddens us, and we will be forever grateful for his lasting impact on our schools and the Maumee community," Mr. Lee said in a statement. "We are so fortunate that Mike used his platform as a community leader and community newspaper publisher to highlight the achievements of Maumee City Schools students and staff through stories and photographs. He will be missed by everyone who knew him."