On Dec. 9 at St. Mary's Hospital, local business leader, James "Manning" McKay passed away. McKay, 89, was a servant to the people of St. Mary's County his whole life, demonstrating an indomitable spirit of entrepreneurial panache and style. The founder of McKay's Food & Drug Stores and the County Times newspaper, McKay was a true visionary and his presence will be missed by many.

The enigmatic leader also served as a Maryland Delegate from 1971 to 1974. After serving St. Mary's as its Delegate, McKay came home where he was elected President of the St. Mary’s County Board of County Commissioners where he served until 1978.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, Dec. 12, at 10 a.m. at St. John's Catholic Church in Hollywood, with Fr. Raymond Schmidt officiating and Msgr. Harris co-officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, Dec. 11, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at St. John's Catholic Church in Hollywood, where prayers will be said at 7 p.m.

McKay was born Oct. 23, 1919 in Hollywood, Md. to the late George Franklin and Mary Blanche Clements McKay. He was the loving husband of Marilyn Ann McKay and the devoted father of Patricia Murr of Adelphi, Elizabeth Johnson, James McKay, Jr, Thomas McKay and David McKay all of Hollywood, Md.; Cherry Price of Leonardtown, Md., Beverly Ryan of Derwood, Md. and Edward McKay of Fairfax Station, Va.

Manning is also survived by his 25 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his siblings George Franklin McKay, Jr., Ernest McKay, Agnes “Doris” McKay, Leonard McKay, Pearl Green, Otha Sylvestor McKay, Elizabeth Steele Robey, Mary Irva Miedzinski, William Mervil McKay, Joseph Calvert McKay, Grace Rudisill and Robert Cross.

Mr. McKay was a lifelong St. Mary’s County resident where he attended schools locally and in Washington, DC.  He also served for four years in the United States Navy during World War II.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. John’s Catholic Church on Friday, Dec. 12, at 10 a.m. with Fr. Ray officiating and Msgr. Harris co-officiating.  Interment will follow in the Church Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be Justin McKay, Chris Ryan, Steven Hammett, Eric McKay, Ricky Hammett, Michael Murr and Joe Johnson. The honorary pallbearer will be Jim McKay, III.

Contributions may be made to the St. John’s Monsignor Harris Scholarship Fund, 43950 St. John’s Road, Hollywood, MD 20636.