Donald McCormick

Donald James McCormick was an energetic, outgoing man who loved people and the outdoors. He enjoyed hockey and dirt biking at a young age, then became a fan of hiking, snow shoeing and skiing later on. Most of all he was a family man who loved his wife and three daughters dearly.

Born on July 8, 1959 in Buffalo, New York to Richard and Dorothy (Stoklosa) McCormick, Donald was the younger of two boys. Richard and Dorothy worked hard to raise Don and his older brother, Dave. Richard was the Superintendent of Ryerson Steel while Dorothy stayed home to care for her sons and run the household. Don’s growing up years were an idyllic time for raising a family. Most Americans were enjoying peace and prosperity. When Don was two months old, the family moved to St. Clare Shores, Michigan, where Don attended public school. Don made many friends in school and it was evident at an early age that he had an outgoing personality. His passions at this time were hockey and dirt biking.

After graduating from Lakeshore High School in 1978, Don enrolled at Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Michigan. (He was advised to go to Marquette because of his love of hiking and dirt biking in the great outdoors). While a student at Marquette, Don was set up (by his best friend) on a date with a pretty young lady named, Margaret. She in turn was set up (by her best friend) to meet Don! Their first date was dinner at a restaurant called, The Crow’s Nest, overlooking Lake Superior in Marquette. They started dating on Christmas of 1979 and continued dating through their college years. Being a romantic, Don picked just the right place to propose to Margaret, the Crow’s Nest Restaurant! Margaret said yes and the two were married in Farmington Hills on August 13, 1983.

Early on in their marriage, Don and Margaret made the decision to get a dog, their first dog as a couple. She was a golden retriever, and they named her Lady Taffeta, or Taffy for short. This was when they discovered Don's affinity for dogs. Taffy was their first baby, and Don absolutely loved her.

After Don graduated from Northern Michigan with his degree in Business Management, he found employment at Bertsch Company, an industrial supply business. Later, when a position opened up to manage the company office in Holland, Don was urged by Don Ladawig to take the position.

While Don was working at Bertsch, Margaret was employed as an optician. They both wanted very much to start a family, but sadly found that they couldn’t. They were on the Catholic social services list for adoption and would only move to Holland if they could stay on the adoption list. In 1993 they chose Kimberly to be their daughter. She was a wonderful addition to the family, and even the dog took an immediate liking to her. However, Kimberly wanted nothing more than a younger sister or brother, and so her parents tried their hardest, and they were blessed by another child, Lauren in 1997. A third miracle child, Megan was born in 2000, completing the family of five.

Don excelled at being a father to his three girls and they became the focus of his love and attention. There were whitecap games, hockey games and skimming across the lake in an eighteen foot boat with his daughters, mostly the oldest, at the helm! Don was also a good cook who loved whipping up big breakfasts, soup, and sandwiches on the weekends. He loved to talk non stop, and was sometimes on the phone for hours.

In his spare time, Don could be found listening to country music, and watching sports and news on T.V. He also loved taking their dog, Hannah (a golden retriever) for walks. Don was gifted when it came to relating to and training dogs.

Tragically, in 2006, Don was diagnosed with colon cancer. Even though Don started to lose weight and became weak, he didn’t let it get him down. He was by nature, a fighter, always keeping optimistic about his prognosis. He was determined to beat the cancer and he certainly put up a good fight.

Don was an outgoing, optimistic person who easily made friends everywhere he went. He supported his family through his job in sales and included his girls in his outdoor and sporting adventures. He was a wonderful husband, father and friend who will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him in the short time he was given.

Donald McCormick, age 49, of Holland died Wednesday February 25, 2009 at Spectrum Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids, MI after a battle with Cancer. He was preceded in death by both of his parents Richard and Dorothy McCormick, father-in-law Graham Philp Sr. and brother in law Graham Philp Jr. His family includes: wife of 25 years Margaret McCormick of Holland, daughters Kimberly, Lauren, and Megan all at home in Holland; brother David and Debra McCormick of Harrison Twp. MI, mother-in-law Agnes Philp of Naples Florida, in laws Suzanne and Geoff Shenk, Nancy and Larry Rhodes, Kathy and Carl Merkle, Jeannette and Tom Whitworth; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Services will be 11 am Saturday February 28, 2009 at Our Lady of The Lake Catholic Church 480 North 152 Ave, Holland, MI.

Visiting will be from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm Friday February 27, 2009 The Northwood Chapel Dykstra Life Story Funeral Home 295 Douglas Ave, Holland MI. Also the hour before the service at the Church on Saturday. Burial at Lakewood Cemetery

Memorials may be made to His daughter’s education Fund at Huntington Bank of Holland

Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to sign Don’s online registry, or share a photo.