Michael L. "Mac" McCroskey's Obituary
MICHAEL "MAC" LYLE MCCROSKEY was born June 8, 1946 - the exact day his paternalgrandfather and namesake, Lyle McCroskey, died. Mike was the first child of Joy and JerryMcCroskey, and older brother (and sometimes mortal enemy) to Kevin, Rebecca and Sarah.
Mike was born in Ann Arbor and grew up in Muskegon County, Michigan. He was simultaneouslyvoted "Most Likely to Succeed" and "Local Hell-Raiser" at North Muskegon High School, which wasright on the money. Mike later attended UM, drove a cab, grew out his hair, dodged the draft to anunjust war, moved to California where he became "Mac", worked for and partied hard in rock and roll,married the lovely Janyce and helped raise the adorable Lisa (Sidlow). After he quit the road, Macwisely stockpiled his earnings from the California law business and was able to retire early to hisBluffton neighborhood home, where he lived with his beloved felines, Butter and Molly. Mac died aftera battle with cancer on May 28, 2024, just shy of his 78th birthday, surrounded by family and friends.
This fellow Mike/Mac was a tough nut to crack, but once you did, it was so worth it. He was thesmartest and funniest and meanest McCroskey. His culinary skills were amazing (no such thing as toomuch garlic), his insight and intelligence incredible (from politics to the afterlife) and his stories of lifein rock and roll, well, they were legendary - and probably mostly true.
Philosophizing about his impending death, Mike recently said: "I'm a firm believer in the evolution ofhydrogen and some other stuff comprising the evolution of stars, and it makes sense to me that"natural" processes are holy and sacred patterns that inevitably lead to higher "elements" and thescaffolding of sapience, without the necessity to give them a human personality as we often describethe terms."
See? Told you he was wicked smart.
Bob Dylan and the Rolling Stones have lost their most ardent fan. And we have all lost a magnificenthuman being. Beshtoygan, brother.
A celebration of Michael McCroskey's excellent adventure will be held later this summer. In lieu of flowersmemorial contributions may be directed to the Harbor Hospice Foundation.
What’s your fondest memory of Michael?
What’s a lesson you learned from Michael?
Share a story where Michael's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Michael you’ll never forget.
How did Michael make you smile?