Michael (Mac) Owen McEntee (CDR RCN (ret’d))

Marika and family, I was so very sorry to hear of Mike's passing. He was a great friend and shipmate, we worked together at naval projects and he was always very compassionate about the Navy. Please accept our most sincere condolences and know that our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Another shipmate that has crossed the bar far too soon. My deepest condolences to the family. RIP Mike. We have the watch.

A great shipmate and a friend to all and that is a true test of what a man is worth. Fair winds Mate. We are the poorer without you.

Mac. Our loss is so plain to see. As soon as anyone was in your company words and laughter flowed with ease and conversations went on all evening. Now I find myself searching in vain for the words to say goodbye to such a dear friend: There are none which would capture adequately what we all feel. The world has lost a kind soul far too soon and we mourn for the loss of our dearest brother and shipmate. As you voyage forward over smooth seas with the sun on your face and the wind at your back, we remain behind in an emptier place. We miss you and will never forget you.

Oh Mike, my dear old friend - from our first days together back on HMCS FRASER and OP FORWARD ACTION in 1993/94. No better friend could one ask for. God bless my friend - may you rest in peace.

Mike,
To receive the news out here in BC’s East Kootenay's of your passing away so suddenly and unexpectedly leaves me deeply saddened. My thoughts are particularly with Marika and Michael Jr at this sad time, and although I never met them, the rest of your larger family. You were a rare man, one with a infectious smile and humour, and also one with an outstanding working ethos and loyalty to the RCN and bettering Canada’s naval defence. During my relatively short time in the Ottawa HQ I so enjoyed our excellent working relationship, and as near neighbours in Old Ottawa East, our socials. Too soon to go my friend and one that leaves me reflecting on an email where you stated your aim to come and visit one day to enjoy the views from my deck of the Rockies and to the south Montana - I know you will do in spirit. Fair winds and following seas my friend - rest in peace.
Darroch

My very deepest condolences. Mac wax a brother to me, someone who made me laugh and always made me feel safe. I still cannot comprehend that he is gone. He was a gentle soul and a giant among men. I will miss him forever.

My very deepest condolences. Mac wax a brother to me, someone who made me laugh and always made me feel safe. I still cannot comprehend that he is gone. He was a gentle soul and a giant among men. I will miss him forever.

“Michael, row the boat ashore, Hallelujah”. Fond remembrances, of all our times spent together, our entire McEntee family, May God bless and keep your loving Wife, Children, Sisters, Uncles, Nephews, your Naval Brothers & Sisters, colleagues, wonderful circle of friends, all our Irish community here, in Montreal, and those whose lives were touched by you. Dad and I are singing the “Fields Of Athenry”, in your honour, as oft I sang with your beloved Dad, at various Irish functions. RIP, dear Michael, we are all heartbroken, you left a huge void in many hearts. God bless, watch over you always, you are now reunited with your beloved Parents, my Mother, your Aunt, our many Aunts and Uncles, and all those we cherished dearly, and instilled in us our love of Ireland, and it’s beauty, poetry, song, history. God guard you always, in that Irish meadow in Heaven. With deep respect, love, thoughts and prayers, Dad, and all your family and friends, here in Montreal????☘️????✝️????????????????????????????

MICHAEL “MAC” OWEN MCENTEE – EULOGY

 

"Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try."

― John F. Kennedy

 

 

Introduction

 

I am here today to find the words that splice together the deep sadness of death with the joy of a tremendous life lived.  Paradoxical isn’t it?  We look to celebrate when are hearts mourn.  We look to a life when it is no more.  We search – for answers, we long for memories, we seek comfort in our journey.  A journey called life… [to which Winston Churchill once said]:

 

“Every day you may make progress. Every step may be fruitful. Yet there will stretch out before you an ever-lengthening, ever-ascending, ever-improving path. You know you will never get to the end of the journey. But this, so far from discouraging, only adds to the joy and glory of the climb.”

― Sir Winston Churchill

 

 

Why Me?

 

How do I come to be in front of you today?  What special connection do I have that deserves such honour?  Some would say it is fate.  Others would say that it is a duty owed.  But what comes to my mind, is irony.  The irony that comes from a friendship that has lasted for near thirty years and yet, so many things that I will never know about a true friend.  I have always found friendship in the Navy somewhat peculiar but uniquely special.  No matter how close or how distant, no matter how frequent or rare – the interactions – there is a bond of shared experience that keeps us together.  So…here I am.

 

The Start of Friendship

 

I met Michael Owen McEntee – Mac to me – in Victoria, British Columbia, in 1991.  We were in the same training cohort at VENTURE, the Naval Officer Training Centre.  Our class, our course – was a bit out of the norm – homogenous we were not.  A mix of Military College, civilian university and high school grads, from across Canada, and all walks of life.  I was a 22 year old military college kid – amongst about four or five of us.  If we defined the middle of the spectrum, on the left were the teenagers so keen to get on with life right after high school.  And, on the right, well, we had Mac.  A Graduate of McGill University, in his thirties, having held several jobs and evidently, experienced in all manner of life, real life.  Man he was old – I recall thinking back then.

 

The Connection

 

I will never know the full connection – what drew me to Mac and Mac to me – we never spoke about it explicitly.  Perhaps it was the fact that we were both Anglophones from Montreal?  Maybe it was our shared connection to Irish roots?  I’m not sure I ever told him I was 50% Ukrainian as well.  Perhaps it had something to do with pale complexions and an aversion to the sun’s rays?  Who knows what it was, but I am glad we connected.  Mac was simply so different to me – so experienced in life – in real life.  My life, at the time, had been defined by military college – uniformity, structure and predictability.  I was that person who was organized, focused on the task at hand, paid attention to detail and was studious.  But Mac... Mac…. now there was true talent!  A talent that inspired me then and still does today.  This may sound harsh, even unfair, but my gut tells me that to many of you, I may just evoke a chuckle or two.  Back then, on the 60^th MARS Qualification Course, well… Mac defined disorganization, as though he owned the meaning of the word.  Details, you could see the surprise in his eyes when reminded of the occasional, but critical, detail that he had failed to appreciate.  The task at hand – well that was relative – as Mac always seemed to be managing several tasks concurrently.  And, studious, yes indeed – he studied tremendously hard – that which was necessary to meet the minimum standard.  To a young Milcol kid, he was no doubt an oddity, the antithesis of everything that had been drilled into my head.   But, decades later, with so much water under my bridge – I truly see the talent.  Mac didn’t just inspire me or school me in what real life is like, I know I speak for about 25 other people that he shaped, in one way, shape, or form, some thirty years ago, [as…]

 

“There are some things which cannot be learned quickly, and time, which is all we have, must be paid heavily for their acquiring. They are the very simplest things and because it takes a man’s life to know them the little new that each man gets from life is very costly and the only heritage he has to leave.”

― Earnest Hemingway

 

Toughness and Character

 

I would not fault those of you who might be wondering why I have chosen to focus on what some would say were Mac’s faults, his shortcomings, his weaknesses.  Rather, I could have highlighted those other talents that drew me to a bond of lasting friendship.  His intellect – critical, sharp and compelling.  His musical giftedness – able to warm a heart with the soft melody of an Irish lullaby.  Or, perhaps it was his sophisticated wit – infused with sarcasm, delivered with passion, and always animated.

  

The truth is that for Mac, life wasn’t focused on success, it was about both the good and the bad and importantly, what one chose to do when faced with either.  Listening to his stories, you knew that he made the most of, and learned from, every experience.  [It was John Keats who once wrote…]

 

“Don't be discouraged by a failure. It can be a positive experience. Failure is, in a sense, the highway to success, inasmuch as every discovery of what is false leads us to seek earnestly after what is true, and every fresh experience points out some form of error which we shall afterwards carefully avoid.”

― John Keats

 

Portraying Mac

 

I asked someone, who has only known Mac for a relatively short-time, to tell me what came to mind when thinking of him.  Here is what she said:

 

• His smile – BIG smile
• He always called me Darling or Dear
• He was always happy for my happiness
• He was charming – very charming
• Good humour
• His wit
• He was always nice, kind and welcoming
• His hospitality
• Generosity
• His SWEARING, boy he knew how to swear – lots of F-bombs

 

I looked online, to the comments that SO many of you and, others who could not be here today, had to say:

 

• A friend
• Broad smile
• Thoughtful
• Gentleman
• Professional
• Hearty laugh
• Big hearted and affable
• Banter
• Fresh and well-reasoned perspective
• Mischievous grin and sparkle in his eye

 

I had my own list…

 

• Proud
• Passionate
• Well-read
• Team player – often to his own detriment or sacrifice
• Persistent
• Gift of gab
• Spontaneous
• Committed
• Always had a plan, for something next
• HABS fan

 

Smiles and Humour

 

There is no doubt in my mind that Mac brought a smile to everyone he touched.  If there was something that anchored his psyche it was his love of humour.  He could be funny, comedic, silly, witty, slapstick – he could be all of that.  But what made it so special was that you knew it came from the heart.  It may have merely been a run ashore with shipmates, talking shop and sharing a laugh.  He could generate so many laughs.  But it equally could be the darkest day of your life, and he found the way to bring about a smile, a chuckle, a deep laugh to you.  A comforting, soothing, and often revealing experience – something that he could so naturally generate, no matter the situation or circumstances.

 

Friendship

 

Central to so many of us here today, is Mac’s friendship over the years.  The measurement of friendship could be relative – long time or short time, at work or outside of work, close or in passing – it mattered little to Mac.  He cherished friendship and he made the most of it when in the company of friends.  A mere lunchtime engagement with Mac necessitated stories of old, a review of the current situation (ie. the Navy, his job, your job, politics, the boat, family) and of course, a discussion or two, or three, on upcoming plans, thoughts, ideas.  He never wasted a moment of his time with you.  Never was a moment dull.  Assuredly – there were always moments of revelation, surprise or insight.  He shared, he engaged and he cared – it was who he was.  [Many of you may have heard him sing a song or two by this artist, who had this to say about friendship]…

 

“I have always looked at life as a voyage, mostly wonderful, sometimes frightening. In my family and friends I have discovered treasure more valuable than gold.”

– Jimmy Buffet

 

Proud

 

And boy…was Mac ever proud….

 

Navy.  Proud about serving in the Royal Canadian Navy.  He relished every accomplishment, every small success.  First was probably passing his navigation tests under the encouraging mentorship of one of his most respected naval officers – today the Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy.  Then there was his qualification as a Bridge Watchkeeper, in the good ship FRASER (to which he had sooooo many stories) and of course, his subsequent specialization as an Above Water Warfare Officer (and, later, AWW Controller).  There may have been a story or two there, involving a Sister of the Space Age, a missile and the moon.  But to me, it was his persistent and determined goal to earn his Command Qualification that I reflect upon.  He never relented.  He neither gave in nor chose to denigrate the process – it was just something he needed to do for the Navy, and damn it – he was going to do it – and did.  He was quietly proud of that achievement – so deservedly so.

 

Father.  Mac was a tremendously proud father – proud in the achievement of his children and his love for them.  His daughter Erin and son, Michael – two stars in the course he had plotted in life.  Erin, I did not know you personally, but I heard and lived some of your achievements through your father.  Your choice to pursue the arts in university, your success as a student, graduation, of course, and being published – it warmed your father’s heart, as it would any father to see a child, especially one who lived a somewhat separate life, turn out a successful young adult.  Michael, Mike Jr, or Mikey as I have always known you, well – where do I begin?  Seemingly schooled in the ways of life by the time you were nine, you are very much a reflection of your father.  An engaging and charming boy, with a sharp intellect and your own gift of gab – your father embraced your spontaneity, your guts and your character.  You are a presence wherever you go and, while you may recall him hounding you about video games, or walking the dog or all those other things that teenagers challenge their parents with – your father was so impressed with you.  Two of the most memorable stories your father ever told me... teaching you how to operate the dingy and you going to your first dance. Man, he was proud of you.  To Cody, Holly and James – as you shared your lives with this proud father, know that he cared in his heart for each of you and I know that you shaped and influenced him, for the better, over the years.  [I tried to think what Mac might say about fatherhood, perhaps it would be…]

 

“I have found the very best way to advise your children is to find out what they want to do and advise them to do it.”

– Harry S. Truman

 

Husband.  But where Mac was most proud, was in his love for Marika.  In Marika, Mike had finally met his equal.  She too, schooled in the ways of life and one who does not sweat the small stuff.  Successful in her own right – as a mother, a professional chef, an accomplished businesswoman – she too celebrates each small success and refuses to let an impediment take her off her game.  Intellectual, sharp humoured and filled with heart and soul – there was never any doubt in my mind that Marika grounded Mike and brought out his absolute best.  In so many ways, Marika, you represented a new life to Mike – one where he could, finally pursue his dreams.  It is a cliché to discuss boats and dreams together but to see Mike on the water with you, was to see a Mac that I had not seen for a significant part of our friendship.  The laughter, the stories, the moments that Nathalie and I were able to share with you and Mike were truly moments to cherish.  We felt so much at home because you made Mike feel so much at home – in his mind, in his heart and in his soul.  [In this very difficult time, may you be encouraged and comforted by these words, spoken by an Emperor, in the movie Mulan…]

 

“The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all.”

– The Emperor, from Mulan

 

Final Words (Mac’s)

 

You all know, that were Mac here right now, he’d have a message for us.  Would it be short and sweet, or long and poignant?  Would there be some literary lineage or a historical analogy?  Would it promote the positive in life or warn against that which might be negative in nature?  Who knows – I never tried to predict what Mac would do or say in the moment.  But, assuredly as we are here today, there are three things I am certain of… he would seize this moment and its captive audience, the message would be about you, us – not at all about him and it would, most certainly, be from the heart, as that was, perhaps, what best defined Michael Owen McEntee.  [Quote…]

 

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore! Dream! Discover!”

― Mark Twain

 

 

 

To close… an Irish Blessing for Mac and each of you,

May green be the grass you walk on,
May blue be the skies above you,
May pure be the joys that surround you,
May true be the hearts that love you.