Early in my CM tenure, I met Mike McNally ’79, who was the CEO of Maverick Construction. Our first meeting was outside O’Connor Stadium on a rainy Friday morning to brainstorm ways to renovate the school’s campus. Mike loved CM and credited it with much of his success. After a long conversation, Mike said, “I want to help. I want my son to come here, and we can’t settle for mediocrity. Excellence is the mandate.” Soon enough, we were talking daily on my drive to and from school. His passion for life was inspiring. He was selfless and had no ego. He just wanted to give back.
Mike oversaw the construction of the Walsh Field House, lacing up his boots, he poured his sweat equity and personal money into the project. He joined our board and facilities committee in 2015 and led the overhaul of the school’s electrical infrastructure. Mike championed and paid for this critical need, one that to most would be invisible. This was classic McNally, quietly doing the good work with zero fanfare.
During Mike’s board tenure, his “excellence mandate” was ever-present. His dedication and support led to the renovation of the former Brothers’ residential wing into the Yawkey Center, and the James P. Healey ’71 Athletic Complex. He did this work because he wanted all students in the school to have the best, so they could strive for the best. Mike came from humble origins. When his mother could not afford to pay his tuition, Mike worked alongside his CM guidance counselor Dan Burke painting houses to make-up the difference. Later in life, Mike sent in donations earmarked for a single mom to help pay her son’s tuition. He never forgot his roots.
Not too long ago, he called to say that he had been diagnosed with brain cancer. Throughout, he remained positive, undeterred while seeking many different forms of treatment. He never lost his faith nor his joy for living which culminated in his two children, Michael ’22 and Caroline.
In October, I received a call to officiate the marriage vows of Mike’s daughter Caroline and her fiancé Britton. Watching the joy in the eyes of a father from his hospital chair as his daughter married her fiancé with his son serving as the best man was a moment of transcendence. God’s abiding love surrounded everyone gathered that day.
Mike McNally was called home to God, way too soon. Before his passing, I was able to present him with CM’s Vince in Bono Malum Award, conquer evil by doing good. We will honor Mike posthumously at our Spring Gala on April 10. Mike McNally personified his excellence mandate as a father, business leader, friend, and CM alumnus. He was a true CM Knight, and I miss him dearly.
