Michael McKinnon

Jul 18, 1949 -

Mar 30, 2022

A Celebration of Life will be held to remember Mike McKinnon who died on March 30, 2022. It will take place at 2 p.m. on July 16, 2022, at 3936 West 37th Court in Anchorage, Alaska, in place of the annual birthday gathering that he enjoyed so much.

Mike was born on July 18, 1949, in Peabody, Mass., to Mary and Henry McKinnon, the third of nine siblings. He was raised in Salem, Mass., until 1961, when his family made the long trek to Anchorage in a Rambler station wagon. He graduated from West Anchorage High School in 1967, served a stint in the Army and worked various jobs around Alaska including with the Anchorage Fire Department and on the trans-Alaska pipeline before accepting a job with the U.S. Geological Survey, from which he retired 33 years later.

Perhaps because he inherited his father's sense of humor or because he literally kissed the Blarney Stone or because he just cared for others so dearly, Mike could turn tears and hurt into laughter, and could find light and humor during the best of times and the darkest of times.

Mike loved all creatures great and small, and never turned his back on anyone who needed his help. He and his wife Joan were the top pledge earners for the Friends of Pets Dog Jog for many years and cared for many abandoned pets in their home.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Mary and Henry; and brothers, Mark and Tom.

He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Joan Finney McKinnon; son, Mike McKinnon (Sara); "the apples of his eye," his grandchildren, Connor, Serena and Maryanne McKinnon; his siblings and their spouses, Joe McKinnon (Bonnie), Mary Sanford (Ken), John McKinnon, Rosanna Ferraro, Theresa Day and Edith Repp (Steve); 14 nieces and nephews; and many great-nephews and -nieces.

The family is grateful to his dear friends from the USGS, Friends of Pets, Prospectors and the Alaska Coin Club for providing him with so much comfort during the last months of his life.