Dr. William Joseph McCormack Jr., 83, of Vero Beach, passed away Aug. 20, 2015, at his home in Vero Beach surrounded by family.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years Joanne Ryan McCormack; children Mary Jo Meyer (Roger) of Vero Beach, William J. McCormack, M.D. of Vero Beach, and Anne Haikola (Bruce) of Austin, Texas; siblings John P. McCormack (Diane) of St. Augustine, Fla., Sharon Parmley (Jim) of Vero Beach, and Thomas M. McCormack; and six grandchildren: Kathleen Meyer, Meredith Meyer (Michael Ciarvanio), Alex McCormack, Natalie McCormack, Brigid Haikola and Catherine Haikola.
He was preceded in death by his sister Patricia M. Callahan.
McCormack, known by his friends as Bill, was born in Cleveland, Ohio to William and Florence McCormack. He attended the University of Notre Dame for his undergraduate. Working full time with a young family, he put himself through the Ohio College of Podiatry, where at the age of 35 not only was he the President of his Senior class and graduated at the top of the class, but he was recognized with the prestigious Gafford Award for Medical Ethics.
Throughout his medical career, McCormack continued to strive for excellence in his profession. From mid 1980’s through the 1990’s he served two terms on the Governor appointed Florida State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners. Prior to that, he was also President of the East Coast Component of The Florida Medical Podiatric Medical Association.
As a resident of Vero Beach since 1967, McCormack was involved in numerous civic and charitable activities. He served many leadership positions including several terms as president of the Rotary Club of Vero Beach. He was a founding member and eventually president of the Navy League of Treasure Coast. Also a founding member of Holy Cross Catholic Church, he served as Head Usher, a Eucharistic minister, and in 2001 was named Knight of the Year by the Holy Cross Council #12141. Other organizations benefiting from his leadership include the Board of Directors of PNC Trust, the Cache Cay Property Owners Association, The Robles Del Mar Board of Directors, the Town of Indian River Shores, March of Dimes, and SUN Up of Indian River.
McCormack was best known, however, as DocMcFoot. Through his podiatry practice in Vero Beach from 1967 to 2012 he touched the lives and the feet of many. Known for his gentle and knowledgeable care, he greeted his patients with a warm smile or a good joke. His patients loved him and regularly brought him baked goods and other thoughtful gifts. Sometimes he traded foot care for Indian River Citrus and on Saturdays he did house calls to the homebound.
A visitation and prayer service will be held on Thursday, Aug. 27 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Strunk Funeral Home, Vero Beach.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Cross Church on Friday Aug. 28 at 10 a.m.
A guest book is available at www.strunkfuneralhome.com.
