Mark McGee, the foreman at Case Western Reserve University’s Squire Valleevue and Valley Ridge Farms and a 30-year employee of the university, passed away July 7 after a 15-month battle with cancer. He was 49.
McGee joined the university in June 1982 at the age of 19, eventually rising to the position of foreman in 2000. In this role, McGee provided day-to-day supervision of all aspects of the farm, including maintenance, repairs and improvement projects for buildings and grounds. Two large-scale projects McGee directed were the renovation of the historical barns at Valley Ridge Farm and construction of the new Debra Ann November Research Greenhouse.
During his time at the university, McGee assisted faculty and students with on-site research projects, such as Engineers Without Borders’ installation of an irrigation system at the farm. He also helped plan large student-oriented events, such as Halloween at the Farm, the Farm Harvest Festival and dozens of cross country meets.
McGee not only spent long hours working on the farm—he also lived there with his family from the start of his university career in 1982.
“The farm was not only his place of work but his home for over 30 years,” said Ana Locci, director of the university farm and McGee’s supervisor. “Mark will always be remembered for his profound love for the farm and for his dedication and passion for his work.”
McGee is survived by his wife, Rose; son, Mark (a CWRU alumnus); brother, Robert; and sister, Janet.
Services are planned for Thursday, July 12, at 10 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church (6850 Mayfield Road, Gates Mills); interment will be held at St. Mary Cemetery in Orwell.
The family will receive friends at the Schulte & Mahon-Murphy Funeral Home (5252 Mayfield Road, Lyndhurst) Wednesday, July 11, from 3 to 7 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions made in his memory to the Hospice of the Western Reserve (17876 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland, OH 44110).