Richard ‘Mickey’ McGuire

Mickey McGuire passed away peacefully on March 24, 2014. He was born Nov. 4, 1929, in Ashland, Neb., to Clyde and Ida (Cave) McGuire.

He is survived and dearly loved by his nephews Warren (Sarah) Thiem of Bozeman, Mont., and Danny (Jay) Johnson of Lincoln, Neb., and his nieces, all from the Lincoln area: Joyce (Danny) Stanley, Jackie (Roger) Mars, Diana (Steve) Sillman, Kathy Holdsworth. Mickey was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings Mildred, Marie, Hazel, Wesley, Harold, Harvey and Robert.

Mickey is also survived by his many friends from his beloved Whidbey Island. When recently asked what he would like people to know about him, he balked and declared, “That’s ancient history. Nobody wants to know all that old stuff. I want people to know how much I loved living on Whidbey Island and how much I enjoyed meeting and chatting with my customers at Payless.” Mickey often said, especially on a sunny day when the mountains were out in all their glory, “You sure don’t have to wonder why this is the perfect place to live.”

But “ancient history” is interesting, so here are some things about Mickey you’ll enjoy. He grew up mainly in the Lincoln, Neb., area and wore a Nebraska Cornhuskers sweatshirt almost every day since he moved to Maple Ridge Assisted Living Community.

In college he majored in literature and wrote beautiful poetry, one of which he could still recite from memory. For many years he worked for TransCon Lines setting up new offices and performing audits. This job found him traveling extensively throughout the United States.

In the early 1970s, Mickey transferred to Seattle for a permanent position that didn’t include travel and that was when he “discovered” Whidbey Island.

It wasn’t long before he retired from his job in Seattle and moved permanently to Whidbey. He then spent summers working at Port of the Islands in Florida and then at his nephew’s cafe in West Yellowstone, Mont. He soon realized he didn’t want to spend summers away from Whidbey and found his dream job at Payless Foods. And that’s where most of you met him.

During most of his life, Mickey had a “travel bug.” He took many extended vacations to Europe, sometimes spending a month or more exploring there. You may have heard him tell about seeing the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona or the Passion Play in Oberammergau, Germany.

Mickey’s personality was as colorful as the life he lived. He was funny and had such a quick wit. He was a true and loyal friend and he loved people, especially those he met and knew on Whidbey. Mickey will remain in many hearts forever. He said many times over the past few months, “I have no regrets. I’ve had such a good life.”

There will be a celebration of life service hosted by Maple Ridge staff, 2 p.m. Saturday, April 5, at Maple Ridge Assisted Living Community, 1767 Alliance Ave., Freeland.

At Mickey’s request, in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Good Cheer Food Bank or WAIF Animal Shelter.