Walter Francis “Mack” McCormack, age 84, of Oak Harbor, passed away at Home Place Care Center on Oct. 12, 2011. He was born Jan. 15, 1927, to Francis and Anna (Smith) McCormack in Brooklyn, N.Y. In 1947 Mack joined the U.S. Navy and served 32 years through the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War. He retired as Chief Warrant Officer-4 in 1976. In 1949 Mack married Ruth Cornwell. They had one daughter. Ruth passed away in 1981.

While bowling with the Retired Chief’s League of NAS Whidbey Island, Mack met Diane Burkhart. They were married Aug. 4, 1998. Her four children became his.

Mack loved being behind the wheel of his RVs going down the interstate. He and Diane visited every state in the continental U.S. You can’t drive to Hawaii.

Mack was active with the VFW, the Retired Chiefs’ Club and was a member of the Fleet Reserve.

Mack was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife and his sister, Florence Boyd. He is survived by his wife, Diane, his daughter Cheryl McCormack and step- children Mike Burkhart, Lee Ann Otte, Sharon Brown and Tammy Hornback, ten grand children and 5 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service was held on Tuesday, Oct. 18, at 2 p.m. at Burley Funeral Chapel.

Memorials in Mack’s name may be sent to Home Place Special Care Center 171 SW 6th Ave, Oak Harbor, WA 98277.

Family and friends may sign and on line registry and leave notes at www.burleyfuneralchapel.com .