Soldier, teacher involved in Selby train crash

Born: March 11, 1943;

Died: November 9, 2016

MICHAEL McGinty, who has died aged 73, was a determined and resolute man who, despite severe adversity, had a successful and challenging career in the army and as a teacher in China. Mr McGinty’s active life was interrupted when he was involved in the train crash near Selby in Yorkshire in 2001. It almost claimed his life but his sheer resolve and courage made him take up teaching as a career. His thirst for knowledge throughout his life was unrelenting.

Michael Anthony McGinty was born in Edinburgh and brought up in Pumpherston, West Lothian. His father was a crane driver and after the local school, aged 15, he joined the Parachute Regiment and rose to the rank of sergeant undertaking more than 2,000 jumps. He served with the Paras with distinction on many foreign assignments – notably in Germany. He left the army in his early thirties and after a variety of jobs he took up marathon running. Over the next 20 years he completed over 200 marathons with a best time of two hours 40 minutes. On the morning of a Manchester marathon his transport failed to arrive and Mr McGinty promptly jogged the five miles to the start.

However, Mr McGinty’s life was radically changed when a high-speed train was involved in an accident with a motorcar. He was working at Ashford hospital and had been visiting his family when the accident happened at Selby. His injuries were considerable – especially as a result of the shoulder fractures he incurred. Mr McGinty experienced much discomfort and pain - but his tenacity never let up.

He faced up to his physical problems, rebuilt his physical fitness, and enrolled as a student at Aberystwyth University to study politics and history. His daughter Bernadette Hogg told The Herald: “Dad didn’t want to vegetate – he wouldn’t allow his mind to rest. Throughout his life he was an avid reader and student of history and English. He was very popular with the young students and loved his years as a mature student.

“Only last year he told the family he wanted to enrol for another degree course which he planned to do online. That was typical of dad – he wanted to keep busy.”

After he graduated he spent 10 years teaching English in China to private students. When cancer was diagnosed he returned to Scotland and lived in West Calder. Despite living much of his life abroad, Mr McGinty remained a proud Scot – “he retained his strong Scottish accent to the end” Bernadette Hogg said. Mr McGinty was also a life-long and passionate supporter of Celtic and attended the famous 1967 European Cup final in Lisbon when Jock Stein’s Lisbon Lions defeated the Italian team Internazionale 2-1.

Mr McGinty was asked at the interview for his post in China if he was not, perhaps, a little on the elderly side for a teaching job in China – a country he confessed he did not know and whose language he did not speak. He indicated to the interviewer, who was much younger, a nearby running track and quietly said, “I’ll beat you over a couple of laps.” The challenge was accepted and Mr McGinty won comfortably – and got the job.

Mr McGinty, a man with an engaging personality and a clear determination, married Mary Sarsfield, a home carer, in 1966. The marriage was dissolved and he is survived by their two daughters.

ALASDAIR STEVEN