By Julie Waters
TRIBUTES have been paid to ‘true Bangorian’ and distinguished yachtsman Michael McKee who has passed away peacefully aged 94.
The accomplished Vice and Rear Commodore at Royal Ulster Yacht Club enjoyed success both on the waves and in his professional life in the family business, Spence’s Auction Mart, in Belfast.
Mr McKee’s resilience shone after the Great Victoria Street auction mart was bombed twice during the Troubles, when he had the business back up and running in temporary premises within a week.
Always proud to call himself a ‘Bangorian’ his family’s name is forever etched into Bangor history through his great uncle James McKee who commissioned the iconic McKee Clock on the seafront in 1915.
Mr McKee’s passion for sailing began when he was just 17 and he went on to become a life member and trustee after he joined Royal Ulster Yacht Club in 1958. Hailed as an ‘excellent navigator, witty orator and loyal friend’, he would achieve a distinguished sailing lifetime as skipper and crew on several yachts.
During his sailing career he was also Commodore of the Irish Cruising Club 1998/99 and a member of the Ocean Cruising Club, having completed a qualifying passage from Plymouth to the Azores in a Swan 65. He also competed in two Fastnet races.
A man of character, strength and warmth, Mr McKee was a beloved father, husband, brother and friend to many. He was the dearly loved husband of the late Anne and much loved father of Alison. He was also the devoted companion of Carol.
Born on May 4, 1930 to James and Edna McKee, he was the youngest sibling to his two older sisters, Nancy and Pat. Sadly his mum Edna passed away when he was just 16 years old and this loss forced him to grow up quickly and become self-reliant.
Thankfully through the guidance of his elder sisters, he learned essential skills like cooking, sewing and ironing, skills that would serve him well throughout his life.
Following in his father’s footsteps, Mr McKee joined the family business in Belfast. He would train as an auctioneer in London before returning home to work alongside his father and so began his lifelong love affair with antiques and fine art.
His determination and refusal to be intimidated stood as a testament to his unwavering character after the family business was bombed twice. After a decade-long battle with the Northern Ireland Office, the Great Victoria Street premises were rebuilt, where Michael continued his work until his retirement in the 1990s.
Mr McKee’s passion for sailing began in an unexpected way when he was a teenager; it was during a train journey that his father James overheard that a new class of boats was being built in connection with Ballyholme Yacht Club.
Encouraging his son to put his name in the ballot for one of the eight available boats, James offered to pay for the boat if his son was successful. Luck was on his side when his name was drawn for boat number five, which he named Moth.
Mr McKee began his early sailing career with Moth, a 14ft Insect class in which he won every race during the 1951 Festival of Britain series of regattas in Belfast Lough.
He went on to enjoy a distinguished sailing career as skipper and crew on several yachts; Ente a 31ft ex German war prize, the 24ft double ended cutter Marie, a 26ft Oyster Dredger called Isobel, which he sailed with his wife Anne who was also an accomplished sailor. His final craft was a Westerly called Carrageen.
He mixed with many yachtsmen and women of the era including the Brown Brothers, Ed Wheeler, Darty Glover and Peter Ronaldson who said: “Michael lived a long and full life and created an impression on everyone he met. He was an excellent navigator, witty orator and loyal friend.”
Deeply immersed in the tradition and history of RUYC, at every annual general meeting he was the champion of the staff Christmas fund. His passing creates a void in the fabric of the club but his lifetime contribution will never be forgotten.
The officers, committee and members have offered their profound condolences to his daughter Alison and his family circle.
It was through sailing that Mr McKee met his greatest love, his wife Anne. The couple met at a regatta in Donaghadee and this brief encounter would turn into a lasting romance after they again met at a Crawfordsburn Country Park dance later that evening. Their love story blossomed and they built a beautiful life together, welcoming their daughter Alison in 1968.
Mr McKee was more than his achievements; he was a kind and generous man who brought light and laughter to all who knew him. Whether in the auction house, on the water, or at home with family, his presence was a source of strength and joy.
Mr McKee passed away peacefully on December 30, 2024. A thanksgiving service will be held in Ballyholme Parish Church tomorrow, Friday, January 10, at 11am followed by a private cremation. Donations may be sent to the RNLI in his memory.