Martin D. McKay, 74, of St. Augustine, passed away on Friday, July 1, 2011, at the Bailey Family Center for Caring after battling cancer.
Martin was born Tuesday, June 8, 1937 in Flint, Michigan to the late Don and Helen McKay. He earned music education degrees from Florida Southern University and Eastern Kentucky University.
He taught vocal and instrumental music for more than 25 years in schools in Florida, Tennessee, Georgia and Kentucky. Between 1968 and 1979, he taught music at Garrard County (Ky.) Schools, directed school theater productions and sponsored educational trips throughout the region.
He was editor of the Bluegrass Music News state music education journal, 1975-77.
After earning a PhD in special education from The Ohio State University, he was coordinator of gifted and talented education for the Cambridge (Ohio) City Schools and later for Guernsey County (Ohio). He greatly enjoyed mentoring. Throughout his life, his mission was to challenge students to be ambitious and to realize their potential.
He finished his career as a faculty consultant for Ohio SchoolNet, in which he facilitated school districts” planning, applying for and using state funds to obtain instructional technology.
He loved jazz and LP records, travel, sailing and the theater. He directed and acted in theatrical productions in Kentucky, North Carolina and Ohio. He sang with Carol, his wife, in folk, community and church choirs, including the St. Augustine Community Chorus.
He served on arts panels and was active in St. Augustine”s Romanza planning.
He is survived by his wife of more than 50 years, Carol McKay; daughter, Katherine (Marc) Levy; and grandson, Aaron Levy of Fredonia, N.Y.; sister, Margaret McKay; and brothers Bruce McKay of Tampa, Fla., and Chester McKay of Hendersonville, N.C.
A celebration of his life will be held at the Vista Cove Clubhouse from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, July 10, 2011.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Community Hospice or Romanza.
Simplicity Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Watts Funeral Home and Cremation Center, Inc., San Mateo, Florida.
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My sincerest sympathy on the passing of Mr. McKay. I student taught with him in Lancaster during the fall of 1973. He had a most significant influence on my teaching career.
Sincerely,
Chuck Jarrett
EKU 74.