Message from sharon emley
August 9, 2016 2:29 PM
thank you, James Albee Mitchell, for the warm condolence you posted about Mike!! I didn't live up here growing up, so your details about Mike are special to me, his first cousin thru our moms being sisters, Linnea and Vera.
Message from James Albee Mitchell
August 3, 2016 12:15 PM
It was my privilege to know and love my dear friend Mike McCarthy. Mike was a brilliant Chemistry Student, graduating at the top of our 1965 Chemistry Class. He was a leader in student government, Blue Key Service Fraternity, and led in founding the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity at Michigan Tech. Mike is the reason I attended Law School. When I learned he intended to go to Law School, I followed his lead. We attended the University of Michigan, and lived together over the South University Laundromat! It was the scene of visits from many Michigan Tech friends who would drop by to wish us well.
Mike graduated from the University of Michigan Law School in 1968 very near the top of our Law School Class. While a student, he was appointed the prestigious Michigan Law Review publication, an honor reserved for only the top law students. He was a member of the Delta Theta Phi Legal Fraternity. Upon graduation, he was recruited by and joined Sullivan and Cromwell, New York City's most prestigious law firm. He had a stellar record with the firm as a diligent, brilliant and hard-working young attorney.
After some time, he elected to return to the Keewenaw and share his legal skills and talents with the people he loved so much, and who loved him. He joined Norm McLain in the practice of law, and represented many of the leading citizens and businesses of the Keewenaw. I tried to persuade him to come to Grand Rapids, to join me in the practice of Patent, Trademark and Copyright law, but he would not leave the community he loved so much. My years of volunteer service to Michigan Tech enabled me to enjoy Mike's continued fellowship and friendship from time to time. He meant a great deal to me, and I will miss him dearly until we meet again in the new Earth, where there will be no more illness and no more tears. God Bless you and keep you Mike McCarthy, until we meet again.
James A. Mitchell, Michigan Tech Trustee and Past Chairman of the University Board.