Michael J. McHale, Sr. passed away peacefully on January 12, 2023 surrounded by his family. He was born in Tulsk, Co. Roscommon, Ireland on March 29, 1938 to William and Mae McHale, the sixth of eight children.
Music was a big part of Mike’s early years as his father was an accordion player and musicians met at his home to play. He was given a whistle by his aunt and received a flute when he was 11 and his talent grew. He was a founding member of the Killina Ceili Band.
After winning the Senior All-Ireland Tin Whistle competition and the Connaught Flute Championship in 1958, Mike emigrated to the United States in 1959. He met and married Kathleen Guthrie in 1965 and had three children, Deirdre, Matthew and Michael. He was a Greene Co., NY resident for the last 55 years. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
After his family, music was Mike’s greatest passion. He played at many events over his lifetime. In the 1990’s he was involved in founding the Catskill Irish Arts Week in East Durham, NY. In 1995, he returned to Ireland to compete and place second in flute (slow airs) and tin whistle. In 2000, Mike recorded his music and released a cd called The Schoolmaster’s House. He was inducted that year into the Traditional Irish Music Hall of Fame. He was honored for his music in East Durham in 2012 and in 2016, by Feile Strokestown in Ireland. Again in 2017, Mike was inducted into the Hall of Fame in Parsippany, NJ at the Comhaltas Mid Atlantic Branch. Mike spent his later years composing music.
He invested his heart, talent and time in keeping Traditional Irish music alive and did so by playing, teaching and composing. His love for the music endeared him to many and leaves an enduring legacy.
Mike was predeceased by his parents and brothers Timothy (T.J.), William (Brod), Padraig (Paddy), James, John and Tom.
He is survived by his loving wife, Kathleen, children Deirdre (John Pfuntner), Matthew, Michael, grandchildren Tiffany, Jenna and Sheamus, great-granddaughter, Quinn, sister, Mary (Joe Flynn) and many nieces and nephews
A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, February 4, 2023, 12pm at Our Lady of Knock Shrine in East Durham, NY. A reception will follow at The Shamrock House, East Durham, NY.
In lieu of flowers, donations for youth scholarships may be sent to Catskill Irish Arts Week, POB 320, Rt 145, East Durham, NY 12423, or, donations made to the Greene County Food Pantry, 50 William Street, Catskill, NY 12414.