Passing of Mike McEvoy
24 October 2019
Mike at the helm of his Fireball
Mike McEvoy, of Ottawa, Canada always gave all of us food for thought in Fireball Land...... He was a stalwart of Fireball sailing in North America for many, many decades. It is with deepest regret that I announce his passing 21 October 2019 after a fall from the roof of his house. Please think of him, his sons, and Margaret. Godspeed, Mike.
Your friend, Pat Crump.
The Fireball family all over the world was shocked and saddened to learn of Mike’s untimely and tragic death on October 21st. Mike served as Secretary to the Canadian Fireball Association for many years and has been sailing and promoting the class his entire adult life.
Mike was born in Edmonton, Alberta. Around 1965 when about 12 years old, he wrote to Fireball International inquiring about the building plans. During the next 54 years, Mike’s commitment to the Fireball class never wavered. He owned many Fireballs throughout the years and most recently represented Weathermark Boats in North America.
Mike was passionate about sailing, despite his early years in a land-locked region of Canada. Around 1980, he established the Lac Ste. Anne Sailing Association in Alberta and raced Fireballs there.
Mike was certified as a sailing instructor, a cruising instructor, and as a Sail Canada club judge. He introduced countless sailors to the sport and to the class.
Mike traveled extensively within North America, encouraging the development of the fleet and helping many sailors improve their skills. He likely drove more than any other Fireball sailor in North America, almost never missing a mid-winter championship in Florida or a US event in Ohio.
In the course of Mike’s career, he moved a number of times, from Alberta to Ontario, to Saskatchewan, and finally back to Ontario.
Mike started Fireball fleets everywhere he lived. He won the Ontario Provincial Fireball Championship twice and was always a force to be reckoned with on the race course.
Mike competed regularly at the local level, nationally and internationally, in venues as far as Australia, Thailand, and Barbados.
In addition to the action on the water, Mike was always ready and willing to shoulder the administrative challenges required to keep the class healthy. He organized regattas, communicated with Fireball International and all the Canadian executive for as long as most can remember.
Mike was always a presence at his yacht club or away at a regatta, presiding over post-race festivities with a pitcher of beer at hand. Visiting competitors were always welcome to stay at Mike and Margaret’s home.
Mike will be missed. Our condolences to Margaret and his children.
Fair sailing Mike......
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