Daniel Thomas McGinnity

1973 - 2016

McGinnity, Daniel Thomas

Daniel Thomas McGinnity (Dan), 43, beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, nephew, son and friend, passed away unexpectedly and tragically on July 28 in a waterskiing accident. Our solace is that his last moments were filled with joy and he was surrounded by people who loved him. Dan was our fun-loving stabilizer, as reliable in his love as his genuine kindness. He asked for so little and filled us all with such joy. He was brilliant yet humble, kind to the core, selfless, reliable and no one dare challenge his character. He was the model of a life well lived.

Dan was born on March 6, 1973 in Wausau, WI to James and Nancy (Neville) McGinnity. He was the youngest of their six children and shared close relationships with all his siblings throughout his life. He was a 1991 graduate of Park Falls High School where he excelled in both athletics and academics and, most importantly, met the love of his life and future wife, Robyn (Breen) McGinnity.

Dan received his Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering in 1995 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. After, he worked as Process Engineer, Quality Assurance Manager, and Manufacturing Manager at International Paper Company in De Pere, WI and Reedsport, OR.

In 2005, he received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Oregon Law School with Order of the Coif honors. He and his family then moved to Spokane where he began his patent law career. Currently, he was a partner at Wolfe-SBMC. Recently he was an integral part of the team that acquired and renovated the Cold Storage Building at 116 W. Pacific Avenue, Spokane, WA where his law firm relocated the day after he died. He was so happy to be a part of bringing people together for that project and to see such a wonderful and tangible result. And, as with everything he did, he managed to do so with the utmost integrity. He sincerely valued all of the people he worked with. He also had the unique experience of blending family and work in that he worked with his brother-in-law, and frequent lunch partner, Jamie Breen. They neighbored their offices at both the former and new office locations and shared so many good times.

Dan met his wife Robyn in high school. They have been together for over 26 years, so long that it is hard to remember a time of Dan without Robyn. Their love for each other inspired many around them, and together they created a life most only dream of. Robyn has said, "He was so much a part of me that I'm not sure where he ends and I begin."

At the center of that amazing life were their remarkable three children Mia, Colin, and Owen. They were the light of Dan's life and he was so incredibly proud of each one of them. He loved the time spent with them and they gave his life greater meaning. He will live on through his children and what a magnificent legacy he has left to this world in those three incredible souls.

Dan is sadly missed by his wife of 18 years, Robyn McGinnity, and their three children: Mia McGinnity, Colin McGinnity and Owen McGinnity; his mother, Nancy McGinnity, Green Bay, WI; his brothers and sisters: Jim and Nancy McGinnity, Brentwood, TN; Kelly McGinnity, Chicago, IL; Susie McGinnity and Bill Schneider, Green Bay, WI; Patti and Nebil Benaissa, Chicago, IL; Mike and Kira McGinnity, Wausau, WI; a huge extended family of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews; and so many dear friends.

Dan was preceded in death by his father, James Michael McGinnity.

Church services will be held on Wednesday, August 3 at 1:00 pm at St. Joseph's Church, 3720 E. Colbert Road, Colbert, WA and all are welcome. All are also encouraged to celebrate Dan's life at a reception and celebration of life at 3:00pm held at Dan's new office space: Cold Storage Building, 116 W. Pacific Avenue, Spokane, WA. Please be prepared to celebrate with all the enthusiasm of a grand St. Patrick's Day party, as he would have loved.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Daniel Thomas McGinnity Memorial Fund through INB Bank whereby the family hopes to continue to sprinkle his love through the quiet support of meaningful causes.