Cary McVey

Cary McVey, often referred to as “Julio” by some family and friends, from Guysville, Ohio, died September 2, 2025. He was life-flighted to OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, and diagnosed with an inoperable, terminal massive sudden and unexpected major brain bleed as a result of a stroke, rendering him unconscious from the time of his episode. He died peacefully under the supervision and care of OhioHealth Kobacker House three days prior to his 68th birthday.

He was born at Sheltering Arms Hospital in Athens, Ohio, to his late parents Elisa and Owen McVey, on September 5, 1957. He was a graduate of Federal Hocking High School in Stewart, Ohio, and prior to his retirement, he worked in the construction trade as a Brick Mason.

Cary was preceded in death by his parents; paternal grandparents Edison and Hazel McVey; maternal grandparents Augusto Zamparutti and Luiga Burello; maternal aunts Erminia Zamparutti and Alba Zamero; brothers Larry and Marco McVey; sisters Nirvana Zimmerman and Diana Dienoff; nephews Michael Dixon and Neil Hoon; niece Melissa Fowler-Dixon; sister-in-law Tina McVey; and brother-in-law Jerome Dixon.

He is survived by his siblings Gary "Tino" (Marilyn) McVey, Terry McVey, Linda (Jerry) Weiss, Gloria (Bill) Barnhart, Simonetta "Timbi" (Chris) Matters, and Steven "Rat" (Shellie) McVey; sister-in-laws Kathy and Mary McVey; brother-in-law Roger Zimmerman; nieces Frances Dixon, Nicolette Zimmerman, Angela (Dan) Hoy, Jackie Armstrong, Trisha (Nathan) Bail, Brooke McVey (Kaleb Knecht), Julie McVey, Olivia (Jacob) Koons, and Bridgette McVey; nephews Barry McVey, Joshua Zimmerman, Aaron McVey (Alisha Skinner), Zachary McVey, Dean (Kayla) Maffin, Andrew and Isaac Weiss; and good friend Jo Cole, as well as several grand nieces, grand nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.

Cary worked and retired as a Brick Mason, and was a former member of the Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Local 23. In addition, his true love for life revolved around his constant, unique, natural creative artistic pieces, some of which included variations of cartoonish characters, outdoor scenery, and realistic head sculptures. Cary was not constrained by artistic mediums, which among those he used were paints and airbrush, carvings in wood, stone and brick, as well as pencil and colored pencils. An art exhibition of some of his varied pieces was on display, coordinated by the late Ohio University Art Professor John Borchard, on February 14, 2003, in the brick building that is currently where the Cannabis Museum is located at 16050 Canaanville Road, Athens, Ohio.

Upon his death, Cary’s eyes and tissue were donated to Lifeline of Ohio, so that these gifts may help some on the transplant waiting list. Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Shaw-Davis Funeral Homes & Cremation Services in Columbus, Ohio. In lieu of a funeral, Cary's family will plan and announce a future Celebration of Life, to honor his life and showcase some of his art pieces.