Joel R. MacKay

Joel R. MacKay, 93, of Penn Township passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family on March 16, 2023. 

Joel was born in Butler on April 8, 1929.  He attended Park Place School in Pittsburgh and later graduated from Concord High School in Hooker.   He attained his BA in Science from Centre College, Kentucky, followed by a Master’s Degree in Petroleum Engineering from Penn State.  Joel partnered with his father in their Sewickley based business, MacKay Cadillac.  Joel later relocated the dealership to Wexford.  Joel won numerous distinguished business awards including being named in the Top Ten dealers in the nation for customer satisfaction by General Motors.  Joel had many dear friends from all walks of life.  He had a great love of grouse hunting with his many English Setters.  He was an avid golfer having played Doral, Pinehurst, and St. Andrews in Scotland.  Many family memories were made at his cottage in Deep Creek Lake, Maryland.  Later were travels in his RV and fishing at Moraine State Park for that elusive Muskie.  Never idle, he had a great love of building things.  From building his own violin as a youth to model trains and a ski rope tow at his homestead.

He was a member of the Butler Country Club from his youth to retirement and served as a Past President.  A lifelong Christian, he was a member of Nixon Methodist Church in Penn Township.

Joel is survived by his loving wife of 73 years, Shirley Stevens MacKay; his adoring children: Shari Jo (Charles) Manos, Merri Ann MacKay, Wendy Jayne Spina, and Joel R. MacKay Jr.  Surviving grandchildren include Sasha Joachims, Wade Joachims, Chuck (Sarah) Manos Jr, Claire (Bob) Balmer, and Joel R. MacKay III. Also, Joel is survived by seven great grandchildren and four great great grandchildren. 

Joel was preceded in death by his parents, Muriel Aggas MacKay and Joseph F. MacKay, his brother, William M. MacKay, his sister, Rev. JoCarole Bundy, and his son in law, Dr. Timothy Spina.  

A gathering of family and friends will take place beginning at 10:00 am and a Celebration of Life Service will take place Saturday March 18, 2023 at 11:00 am at Concord Presbyterian Church 625 Hooker Road West Sunbury PA 16061. Private Burial to follow in Concord Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Butler County Humane Society % 1015 Evans City Road Renfrew PA 16053.

The William F Young Funeral Home 132 Main Street West Sunbury has assisted the MacKay Family with arrangements. 

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