Hon. Michael McCormack
July 20, 1939 – May 9, 2022
The Honorable Michael McCormack was born to John and Helen McCormack on July 20, 1939 in Omaha, Nebraska. Michael had two younger sisters, Patricia McClellan and Peggy Akins. Michael McCormack attended Creighton Prep High School and graduated in 1957. He went on to attended Creighton University and graduated from Creighton University Law School in 1963. He worked as an Assistant Public Defender in Douglas County from 1963 to 1966. He then went into to private practice and became a part of his family’s law firm: McCormack, Cooney, Mooney, and Hillman.
Michael married Mary Kay Hartman on April 22, 1966. During their 47 years of marriage, they had three daughters: Kelley, Kris, and Shannon. In 1997 Michael was appointed by Governor Ben Nelson to the Nebraska Supreme Court where he proudly served for 19 years until his retirement in 2016. His life was spent doing the things that brought him great joy, including spending time with family (especially his grandchildren and friends), reading, golfing, fishing, playing cards, traveling and enjoying a great meal.
Michael was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Kay; parents, John and Helen McCormack; sisters, Patricia McClellan and Peggy Akins.
He is survived by daughter, Kelley Coutts (Todd), Kris Uhl (Bryan), and Shannon Wachsmann (Josef); grandchildren: Ellie and Michael Coutts, Aidan and Addison Uhl, and Isaac and Ethan Wachsmann.
VISITATION: Monday, June 6th from 5pm to 6:30pm at the West Center Chapel, followed by VIGIL SERVICE at 6:30pm. MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Tuesday, June 7th at 10:30am at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 5801 Oak Hills Drive. Interment, Calvary Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family will direct memorials to support Nebraska Appleseed- Since 1996, Nebraska Appleseed has fought for justice and opportunity for all Nebraskans. Contributors like you ensure Nebraska Appleseed can fight for justice and opportunity wherever we can do the most good in the courthouse, at the Capitol, and with the community. (https://neappleseed.org/)
4 Comments
I had the privilege of being a colleague of Justice McCormack while he was on the Supreme Court bench. He made a positive difference in Nebraska’s system of justice and I respected him deeply. My deepest condolences to his family.
He was an exceptional person to know, a credit to his profession.
A good man.
My parents, Jack and Mayme O’Malley, were very close friends with John and Helen, both men being lawyers. Mike was my lawyer until he became a Judge. Sorry to hear of his passing; I hadn’t seen him since before his wife died. My condolences to the family.
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