Captain Michael Alexander McBride USN (Ret) died on August 27, 2021 at home in McLean, VA from complications associated with Parkinson’s Disease. He was 86 years old.
Upon graduation from Benedictine High School in Cleveland, OH, Mike immediately entered the United States Naval Academy in the summer of 1952. He graduated with the Class of 1956, was commissioned an Ensign in the U.S. Navy, and wed Joan Elizabeth McBride to whom he remained married for 51 years.
Captain McBride had a distinguished 29-year career as U.S. Navy nuclear submariner where his significant assignments included Commanding Officer, USS Sargo (SSN 583), Commodore Submarine Group 7, Chief of Staff for Operations for Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and Director of Intelligence Evaluation (OP-009) in the Office of Naval Intelligence.
He went on to serve in the civilian sector for Lockheed Corporation in various leadership capacities from 1985 until his retirement in 2003. During this time, he served on the Board of Directors for the San Diego Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, raising awareness and participating in many Team In Training marathons both as a participant and a mentor. He also served faithfully as a member of Ascension Catholic Parish in San Diego prior to relocating permanently in 2016 to Vinson Hall Retirement Community in McLean VA.
Mike enjoyed tailgating with fellow members of the Class of ’56 and fellow submariners whether it was cheering for the Chargers, Padres, or his very favorite, Navy Football.
Mike will be remembered most by his family as a caring, loving, compassionate caretaker for his wife Joan during her 3-year battle with ovarian cancer until her death in 2007.
Mike is survived by his four children, Patrick, Kathleen, Timothy and Robert, three daughters-in-law, six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, along with his wife of 10 years, Janis Rich. Mike’s cremated remains will be inurned at the United States Naval Academy columbarium in Annapolis, MD with his wife Joan Elizabeth McBride at a date to be determined. If desired, friends may make memorial contributions to the Parkinson’s Foundation at www.Parkinson.org.
