Eight Bells: Mike McCormick

Mike McCormick

Michael J. “Mike” McCormick, age 87, passed away on November 7, 2023 in Madison, Wis. He was born on Jan. 24, 1936, in Madison, Wis., the son of Gregory and Lucille (Quinn) McCormick. Mike grew up in a house on Yahara Place on the shore of Lake Monona, where he developed his love for the water.

Mike attended The University of Wisconsin Madison and Portland State University, where he studied architecture and construction management. After returning from Portland, Ore., he joined his two brothers and father in the family business, McCormick Lumber & Fuel Company. The business has remained in his family and is currently owned and operated by his children.

Living on the lake, he shared his enthusiasm for the water with his six children. One of the many boats that Mike owned was a 1960 Shepherd wooden boat, that he restored to its original beauty. Mike enjoyed sailing and racing his Flying Scot, with his children as crew members on the weekends in the summer.

He also enjoyed the water in the winter and raced a variety of iceboats across the lakes of the Midwest. Mike was a founding member of the Lake Monona Sailing Club and was also on the Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club honor roll.

As a devoted 4LIYC member for over seven decades, Mike’s legacy spans generations. In addition to serving as an officer, he was an active racer in various classes, including in his C Stern Steerer PIECES OF EIGHT, DN, and Renegade.

Alongside his late brother Bill, he laid the foundation for the McCormick family tradition of ice sailing. Mike passed on his love for ice sailing to his sons, Andy and Tim, who continue to carry forward the McCormick legacy on the ice.

Mike met his wife, Sheri, after they were set up on a blind date by their children. Together, they enjoyed traveling. Their favorite destination was the cabin Mike also designed and built in Boulder Junction, Wis. They also traveled to the Dominican Republic fourteen times for a winter reprieve.

Michael is survived by wife of 20 years, Sheri; his children, Penny (John) Scott, Pam (Hank) Geib, Robert McCormick, William McCormick, Andy (Cyndi) McCormick and Tim (Amy) McCormick; two step-sons, Greg Johnson and Steve (Amy) Johnson; two step-daughters, Beth (Ken) Hellenbrand and Kris (Dan) Ganser; nine grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; three step-great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; as well as other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Gregory and Lucille, and his beloved siblings, Jim McCormick, Pat McCormick, Roseanne Flesch, Bill McCormick and Marilynn Schaefer.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5101 Schofield St., Monona at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 16, with a celebration of life to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Mike’s name may be made to the Lake Monona Sailing Club, 1407 Morrison St. Madison, WI, 53703 or Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club, 5106 Reynolds Ave., Waunakee, WI. 53597.

Source:
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/madison/name/michael-mccormick-obituary?id=53573565
https://www.iceboat.org/2023/11/13/mike-mccormick-eight-bells/