Michael J. McGee Sr.

Michael J. McGee Sr., age 93. Born in the Bronx, New York, in 1927, Mike was the son of Patricia J. and Charles A. McGee. He was a graduate of Brooklyn Preparatory and St. John’s College, where he earned his degree in English.

A descendant of a Civil War veteran, Mike was a veteran of the Army Signal Corps, where he served as an assistant cameraman. His experience as a cameraman earned him a job at NBC, where he worked from 1949-1951, a position which took him to great heights. On one job, he was strapped to the roof of the Empire State Building to film the first NBC antenna being installed. He later worked on Peabody Award-winning productions.

Mike was able to retire at age 62, and he didn’t let the grass grow under him for long. With his late wife, Elaine, he traveled extensively—to Ireland, Alaska and the upper reaches of Canada. He rode a camel along the Nile.

He painted. He wrote freelance articles and was published in the Chicago Tribune on topics such as whitewater rafting, ultralight aircraft and remote-controlled planes. He was active in Boy Scouts with his sons and participated in an annual square dance with his daughter.

Mike and Elaine were active members of St. Thomas of Villanova church in Palatine, where Mike was a lifelong auxiliary minister and lector, tutor for students and a comfort to terminally ill members of that community.

He passed on to his family his love for cooking and sweets, writing, gardening, volunteering and kindness. His caregivers called him “a bundle of love.” He will be missed.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Mike’s name may be made to Alzheimer’s Research Foundation, https://www.alzheimersresearchfoundation.com/make-a-donation/.

Funeral services will be held privately. Information 847-359-8020

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