Usaf Maj. Michael T. (Ret.) Mcguinness

Age 85, of Fairborn, passed away on April 29, 2018 at home.  Known to his family as Tommy and to his friends as Mack, he was born on November 22, 1932 in Brooklyn NY to the late Michael and Annie (Houghton) McGuinness.  He grew up in Culdaff, Co. Donegal, and in Aghadowey, N. Ireland where he loved to watch US aircraft take off and land at RAF Mullaghmore airfield near his Uncle, Father Joe’s parish during WWII.  In 1954, Michael came to the U.S. to join and pursue a career in the U.S. Air Force.  He met and married the love of his life, Mary “Kay” Carter in 1955.  For 21 years he proudly served in the USAF, first as an aircraft mechanic and then as a B-52 navigator.  After retirement, he joined a great team at LaserPlane/Spectra-Physics in Quality Assurance for almost 20 years.  He was a member of the Knights of Columbus for more than 50 years and volunteered at the WPAFB Medical Center.  He will be remembered for family camping trips, visits home to Ireland, woodworking, sharing common sense, and telling great stories with family and friends.  He both demonstrated to those he met and instilled in his children a strong love of God, family and country.       Michael was proceeded in death by his parents, Father Joe who helped raise him after his father’s death, his brother Frankie, his sister Mae, and his grandson Kerstain Finklea.  He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Mary Kay, his brother Noel of Orange CT, and his five children: Anna (Jerry) Finklea of Fairbanks AK, MaryRose (Dave) Tweddell of Castle Rock CO, Michael McGuinness of Chicago IL, Colleen (Dean) Slapak of Sugarcreek OH, and Jimmy (Laura) McGuinness of Henderson NV.  He was blessed with seven grandchildren: Ian, Jared, Logan (Sabrina) and Kathryn Finklea,  David Tweddell, David (Dauma) Slapak, and Colin McGuinness;  nine great grandchildren: Zander, Rowan, Avi, Avry, Ily, Henry, Leo, Calvin and Dina; and the help of nine special ladies:  Candie, Brooke, Trish, Kelly, Dot, Michelle, Jody, Lee Ann and Kim.A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, May 12 at 10:00 am at Mary Help of Christians Church in Fairborn, Father Charles Lang celebrant.  Military honors and a Celebration of Michael’s Life will be held directly after Mass in the Parish Center next to the church.  Family will receive friends there to share stories and listen to some great Irish music.  If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Miami Valley, Xenia.  Michael’s final resting place will be in Ireland.