Francis Xavier McGeady, Noted Marine Contractor, Engineer, Sailor 12 MAY 1939 – 14 JUNE 2016

Francis Xavier McGeady passed away recently after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 77. Born in Baltimore into a marine contractor family, Xavier spent most of his adult life working in and around the Ports of Baltimore, MD, Hampton Roads, VA, Wilmington, DE, and Philadelphia, PA. At the time of his passing he was the Chief Engineer for Corman Marine, Inc., Baltimore, MD.

A graduate of Baltimore Polytechnic High School in 1957 and the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA in 1962, with Graduate Studies in Marine Engineering at Catholic University, Mr. McGeady was one of the few practitioners in the State of Maryland who was simultaneously a Professional Engineer and a Registered Architect. His professional passion was always related to marine structures and port operations. He was a highly-regarded engineer and recognized expert, presenting technical papers to professional groups such as the American Association of Port Authorities.

Xavier McGeady was one of three principals in Martin G. Imbach, Inc. He joined the firm in 1967, keeping continuous service with the successor firm of Corman Marine, Inc., Baltimore, MD. With almost 50 years of professional contributions to the marine construction industry.

A longtime resident of Severna Park, MD and never far from the water, Mr. McGeady was an accomplished racing skipper, involved in offshore racing from 1966-1992, he raced in Annapolis to Newport races, and the Annapolis/Newport–Bermuda races winning many trophies over the years as a member of the Annapolis Yacht Club, and the Cambridge Yacht Club. He also was a member of the Sailing Club of the Chesapeake, where he served as Commodore in 1991, also earning the Club's top three awards (The Ralph Wiley Award, The Lowndes Johnson Memorial Trophy, and The Armada Trophy) for best overall racing performance and meritorious service to the Club. Xavier McGeady was also a lifelong member of St. John's Catholic Church in Severna Park, MD, where he served on boards and committees to help improve and maintain the parish's facilities.

In addition to his passion for the sea, Mr. McGeady was an avid scuba diver, logging many hours underwater in the Caribbean, the Galapagos Islands, and completed five extensive diving trips on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. A motorcycle enthusiast, loved to ride with his family and friends through the less-traveled roadways of western Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. He also enjoyed pistol and trap shooting. He and his wife Ann enjoyed numerous trips abroad, including visits to the family homestead in Donegal, Ireland.

Xavier McGeady is survived by his wife of 45 years, Ann McGeady of Severna Park, MD, his son Kevin M. McGeady of Annapolis, MD, and his daughter Bridget S. McGeady of Baltimore, MD. Additional survivors include brothers Joseph K. McGeady, Sr. of Severna Park, MD, Glen K. McGeady of Michigan City, IN, and numerous nieces and nephews all across the United States.

He will be remembered as an innovative and accomplished engineer, an astute businessman and contractor, and a fierce competitor, intensely loyal to his family and friends.
Visitation will be held at on Tuesday, June 21, 2016 from 5:00 PM -8:00 PM at Barranco & Sons, P.A. Severna Park Funeral Home, 495 Ritchie Hwy, Severna Park, MD 21146. A Memorial Mass will be held on Wednesday, June 22, 2016 at 10:00 AM in St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 689 Ritchie Hwy, Severna Park, MD 21146.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. John the Evangelist Building Fund ( http://www.stjohnsp.org/giving ) or the Baltimore Polytechnic Institute Alumni Fund ( http://www.bpi.edu/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=153483&type=d )

Online condolences may be made at www.barrancofuneralhome.com