It is with great sadness to announce the passing of James M. McKay, devoted husband, father and grandfather, on Oct. 24, 2019. James was born Jan. 26, 1943, to the late John and Anna McKay of Great Barrington. Jim was a 1961 graduate of Searles High School and pre-enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps before his graduation. Jim spent four years in the Marines and left as a corporal in the aircraft division, where he learned his lifelong trade as a machinist. During Jim’s career he made parts for F/A-18 and F-16 aircrafts, and with great pride, one of NASA’s space shuttles at Clark-Aiken in Lee. After Clark-Aiken Jim worked for Beloit-Lenox as a machinist and retired in 2010.
After returning from the Marines, Jim married the love of his life, Susan L. Roger, Aug. 25, 1969, and the following year, they welcomed their only daughter, Kimberly. Jim and Susan spent 50 years together at the home they built together on Blue Hill Road in Great Barrington. Jim’s love of the woods surrounded his home, and as an avid sportsman, he spent many hours of his life in the woods or streams and lakes of the Berkshires. Jim also enjoyed the game of golf, and he and Susan would golf all over the Northeast and were longtime members of Greenock Golf Course.
Jim is survived by his wife, Susan L. McKay; and daughter Kimberly TenBroeck and husband Tom and grandsons Jacob and Nathan TenBroeck. He also leaves sister Maryanne Brown and husband Bill of Pittsfield; and brother Joseph McKay and wife Debbie of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Jim also leaves several loving nieces, nephews, lifelong friends and brother-in-law Charles Williamson. Jim was preceded in death by his brother John McKay.
A service celebrating his life will be held Tuesday, Oct 29, at 11 a.m. at FINNERTY & STEVENS FUNERAL HOME in Great Barrington. The family will receive friends on Monday, Oct. 28, from 4 to 7p.m. at the funeral home in Great Barrington. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Southern Berkshire Elderly Transportation Co., c/o FINNERTY & STEVENS FUNERAL HOME, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. To send remembrances to the family, go to www.finnertyandstevens.com.
