Michael William Patrick Cady of West Ocean City, MD, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, March 17, in Warrington, NC, while returning home from a weeklong vacation with his wife, Bonnie Dypsky. He was 68.

Born September 19, 1951 in Washington, DC, to the late Robert Cady and Mary (Raba) Cady, “Big Mike” cherished his family above all else and, in addition to Bonnie, was the loving father of Robert (and daughter-in-law Anne Marie) Cady of Harpers Ferry, WV, Jennifer Cady of Gaithersburg, MD, and the late Jessica Loomis, who passed away May 20, 2017. He was also the beloved “G-Daddy” to grandchildren Taylor Anne, Peyton, Camryn and Landry Cady; Jasmine, Jayden and Janay Loomis; and treasured “Pappy” to Evelyn and Kathryn Westman, and Colton and Emerson Rhoad. Mike was the compassionate brother of Linda Ward of Centreville, VA, and proud uncle of her children, James Ward of Lady Lake, FL, Patrick Ward of Silver Spring, MD, Michael Ward of Kensington, MD, and Mary Ward of Centreville, VA. Mike was the inspirational stepfather of Erin (Jon) Westman and Crystal (Zach) Rhoad, all of Berlin, MD.

Mike had a compassionate spirit, honest nature and quick-witted sense of humor, all of which endeared him to just about everyone he met. He truly loved to be social and thrived in any setting. As such, he will also be missed by a host of incredibly close friends, some dating back to elementary school, who constitute a list too long to include here.

While growing up in Wheaton, MD, Mike attended St. John’s College High School in Chevy Chase, MD, where he excelled on the football field. As a senior in 1968, Mike earned national recognition as one of 33 Parade Magazine All-America high school football team members for his play as an offensive guard. Mike was especially proud of his team’s induction into the SJC’s Athletic Hall of Fame — the school’s most prestigious honor — in 2018, which marked the 50^th anniversary of its 1968 championship football season. In all, 16 members of the 1968-69 SJC football team went on to play college football, including Mike, who played at Texas A&M for legendary coach Gene Stallings, and later, Catholic University.

Mike also briefly played professionally, for the World Football League before it ceased operations, and as a training-camp invite of the Buffalo Bills, in the mid-1970s.

Mike would go on to work professionally as a construction superintendent in the DC-Metro region for decades, where he wore his love for all things DC on his sleeves, including his beloved Washington Redskins. He was also well known for his sense of fashion, which included his trademark fedora, stylish button-down shirts, hand-carved walking canes and meticulous collections of athletic shoes and baseball caps. Mike and his son, Bobby, shared a passionate love of sports and often wore matching team-issued outfits from head to toe.

Mike moved permanently to West Ocean City and married Bonnie in 2010, where the couple developed unbreakable friendships together. Mike began his “professional retiree” lifestyle at the beach in 2011 by volunteering each morning at his favorite hangout, the Full Moon Salon, and working as a marshal at Ocean City Golf Club. He was also an avid exercise enthusiast who quickly and affectionately became known to all as “the Mayor” of Pure Fitness (formerly Powerhouse Gym) in West Ocean City.

It was also here that he created his lasting legacy. In 2012, Mike, along with two lifelong friends, founded the Matt Dillon Memorial Golf Tournament. Since its inception eight years ago, the multiday event has awarded more than $135,000 in contributions to St. John’s College High School athletics, Diakonia, Columbia Baseball Foundation, the American Red Cross and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, among many others. At the time of his passing, Mike was hard at work planning the 2020 Matt Dillon Memorial Golf Tournament, set to be played September 12 at Ocean City Golf Club.

A date and location for Mike’s celebration of life will be announced following the conclusion of the current global health crisis. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in Mike’s name to the Matt Dillon Memorial Golf Tournament by visiting MattDillonGolf.com/Donate-Today.