Beaver Island Michigan

Aloysius (Allie) McDonough passed away this morning. He would have been 106 in a couple weeks. Allie's father was John "Shivery" McDonough and his grandfather was Old Vesty McDonough. More information will be posted as it becomes available.

Allie would certainly have to qualify as one of the oldest Beaver Islanders ever!! Sad passing, good artist!!

Marie told me a few years ago that Allie painted everyday. I hope he was able to do just that and right to the end..

From the Chicago Tribune:


JOHN A. McDONOUGH

John Aloysius "Allie" McDonough, 105 years, passed away Feb. 28, 2010. Born on Beaver Island , MI, March 26, 1904. Allie later moved to Chicago where he met and married his true love, Geraldine "Geri," nee Cunnally. An extremely talented artist and poet, Allie leaves behind his beloved wife of 66 years, Geri; daughters Therese (Dereck) Murphy and Cherie (George) Gabriel; sons John (Nancy), Edward and James; 15 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren. Services to be private.

And from the family:

Allie, the second of 8 children; Mary, Katherine, Helen, Edward, Thomas, Nonie;& Clyde was born on Beaver Island, March 26, 1904 to John â??Shiveryâ?￾ & Emma McDonough. Allie fondly remembered the Beavers and recalled many places on the Island in his paintings, stories and poetry. The â??Shiveryâ??sâ?￾ moved to Manistique around 1920, however, Allie visited numerous times while working on the boats. Sometime around 1940 he moved to Chicago and enrolled in the Chicago Art Institute where he met and married his true love Geraldine â??Geriâ?￾ nee Cunnally.

Many of Allieâ??s paintings still hang in homes around the Island. Anyone visiting Allie in Chicago was sure to leave with not only tales of the Island but a painting or two. Recently Allie provided insight into locations, people and events that only one living in the early 1900â??s on the Beavers could relay.