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Lionel George (Mac) McCaffrey

May 1, 2010

MCCAFFREY, Lionel George (Mac)

aka Stormy Winters


Mac passed away on May 1, 2010 at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Comox, BC.

He was born in Calgary, AB on July 25, 1933. His family later moved to Banff, where he was an avid skier. He delivered newspapers which was a fitting start for his lifelong interest in newspapers, cartooning and advertising. He was a member of the Canadian Armed Forces for 21 years, working as an airplane fitter, then as a cartoonist and later the editor for the popular service newspaper “The Totem Times”. His cartoons featured Seymour the Seagull. His cartoon series “Uniskins” was syndicated to service newspapers across Canada and Europe.

During his time in the Air Force, he built a full scale working replica of the Silver Dart, the first power flight flown in Canada. He was sent on a world tour and had an opportunity to visit many countries. Mac loved to travel and saw much of Canada and the US including Hawaii, as well as Greece, Turkey, Italy and Mexico.

After leaving the service he purchased the North Island Advertiser which he ran successfully for many years. After selling the paper he was a salesman for Superior Carpet and then moved on to selling advertising for Central Builders, where he founded the annual Build, Bail and Sail race.

Mac was very involved in the community. He was a Legion member and was particularly active in Rotary and Crimestoppers. He belonged to Rotary for 32 years and maintained a nearly perfect attendance record. He was a Sergeant at Arms, adding much levity to the weekly meetings. He was editor of the Rotary Bulletin and was renowned for the skits he produced for the annual installation of the new president. He was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship in recognition of his many years of service.

He maintained the Crimestoppers website and was active in their fundraising efforts.

He wrote for the Comox Valley Record for many years as Stormy Winters, providing the Valley with his unique take on life and world events.

Mac was a renaissance man with wide-ranging interests: computers, any type of gadgets and mechanical devices, fishing, boating, motorcycles, woodworking and history. He was building a model train, the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.

He was famous for his wonderful and quirky sense of humor.

Mac’s wife Lucy was the love of his life. He always came through for friends and family in times of trouble.

He was deeply loved and will be sorely missed.

He was predeceased by his parents Pat and Hazel McCaffrey and his sons Pat and Bryan McCaffrey.


He is survived by his spouse, Lucy; daughter, Mickey; sons: Michael and Terry; daughters-in-law, Anne and Susie; grandchildren: Sarah, Chris, Jessica, David (Jennifer) and Michael Jr. as well as one great-granddaughter, Chloe.

Viewing and Prayers will be held at Piercy’s ~ Mt. Washington Funeral Home, 440 England Avenue, Courtenay on Friday, May 7 at 7:00 pm.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Coast Westerly Hotel, Cliffe Avenue, Courtenay on Saturday, May 8, 2010 at 12:00 pm.

Donations to the Heart & Stroke Foundation would be appreciated.

With special thanks for his excellent care by the emergency and third floor nurses, also Dr. Swanson, Dr. Engman, Dr. Woldnik, and Dr. Hubner.



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