“The fog comes on little cat feet”
On April 8th, 2025, it was reported to us that Michael Shawn McGinty had left his earthly home to go on to greener pastures. He was born on Sept. 12th, 1964, in Mansfield, Ohio
He graduated from Madison Comprehensive High School, where he was a member of both the concert and marching band. He took 2 years of the Drafting program, which was part of the vocational school. This program proved to be very beneficial to him in the later years.
In the summer months, the family spent the weekends at their aunt’s cottage in Channel Grove. It was during this time that Mike and his brother learned the art of Walleye fishing from their dad. It was also during this time that Mike was asked to be an observer during the yearly Pro Am- Walleye Tournament. His position was to watch the fishermen, making sure there was no breaking the rules. His dad was also in the tournament, but not on the boat Mike was on. His dad spotted the boat Mike was on and saw that Mike was fishing. After the tournament was over, his dad asked him why he was fishing. He simply said that the guys couldn’t catch any and asked if he could catch some, so he did.
In October of 1982, Mike left Mansfield to be a sailor in the U.S. Navy. After basic training at Great Lakes, Ill., he went to the East Coast, Dam Neck, Va., where he studied Operations Specialists.
In April of 1983, he was assigned to the USS New Jersey 8B62, at Long Beach, Calif On June 9, 1983, they left the Western Pacific, went to Central America, and from there on to the Eastern Mediterranean. There they joined the 2nd, 3rd, & 6th fleets. They were there until May 5, 1984.
Mike enjoyed his life as a sailor, received numerous medals & awards, traveled, and became the barber of choice on the ship.
He was discharged Oct. 13, 1986
After his life as a sailor, he entered the workforce and furthered his education.
He became a licensed cosmetologist/barber. He moved to San Francisco, California, in 1998 a worked at 8 different barber and beauty salons, trying to figure out which he wanted to work at.
In 2017, he had the opportunity to open his own shop where a previous owner had fallen behind on the rent. He completely remodeled the inside and decorated it to his taste and named it Barberology. It is an exclusive Aveda salon with 6 employees.
Mike was passionate about his profession, a fact he shared in his own words on his website:
“I love creating something from nothing, especially the process of getting there. Part of the journey for me always includes making mistakes, finding workarounds, and using my imagination. And it’s through this process where I find some of my greatest ideas are born. Fortunately, I get to do this every day. And that’s why I love what I do.
I moved to San Francisco in 1998. Since then, I’ve worked at eight different barber shops and hair salons. Having worked in both worlds, there was always pressure to choose one or the other–either men’s hair or women’s hair.
In trying to define Barberology, I realized it’s just a mashup of cosmetology and barbering. Barberology is where these two worlds can co-exist, and creativity has no boundaries.
So that’s MY story. OUR story includes you–friends, customers, and support from the neighborhood, and so many people who have guided and mentored me along the way.”
Mike was well-liked and respected not just by his employees but also in the community. He was involved in and with the area. Many are mourning the loss of Mike
He is survived by his parents, Tom & Jane McGinty, 3 sisters & 1 brother, Candy McGinty, Carla Herrick, Heidi Cook, Chad McGinty, 1 half sister, Cassie Monica, 4 nephews, 1 niece: Cody, Brian, Gunner, Spencer & Chelsi.
He was preceded by his grandparents, Richard and Helen McGinty, Alma Pritchard Shaffer, and birth mother, Thyra Prosser McGinty.
Graveside services will be held at the Veterans section of Mansfield Cemetery. Military services will be conducted.