Harold Gene McIlnay died at Providence Park Hospital in Novi Michigan on May 20, 2015 at the age of 86.
Loving husband of the late Loretta McIlnay. Dear brother-in-law of Alice Campbell of Detroit, MI, Shirley Snay of Presque Isle, MI, and Virginia (Dennis) Suenkonis of Novi, MI. Dear uncle to Cary (Margo) Snay, Joseph Ashley, Mary Ashley, Denise McClerren, and Renee (Matthew) Delaney and great-uncle to 6 great nieces and 2 great nephews. He is preceded in death by his brother Glenn McIlnay, sister Kay McIlnay, and nephews Daniel Snay and Rick Ashley. He also leaves behind extended family that will miss him dearly.
Harold was born on February 6, 1929 in Omaha, Nebraska to Chester (Ray) and Dorothy McIlnay. At the age of 8 he moved to Detroit and graduated from Cass Technical High School. In 1947 he enrolled at Lawrence Technological Institute where he graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1957 after being discharged from the Army in 1954. In 1964 he became employed by Ford Motor Company as an Environmental Engineer from which he retired after 30+ years of dedicated service.
Harold enjoyed classical music, watching old movies, coin collecting and playing cards. Harold spent the last few years enjoying his time at Waltonwoods of Novi. He made many friends with whom he enjoyed playing euchre and bridge and the occasional "happy hour".
The family will receive family and friends from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 13, 2015 at O'Brien-Sullivan Funeral Home, 41555 Grand River Ave, Novi, MI 48375. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. with the internment to follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Southfield, MI. Military Honors afforded by American Legion #32 and the US Army. A luncheon will be held immediately following. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to the American Heart Association at www.donatenow.heart.org .