Mac McCrory and his dog, Duchess, greeted customers who visited The Silversmith Shop in Zelienople in 2010. Both have since died. McCrory is remembered for his handcrafted silver jewelry and his community service.

Fombell resident Mac McCrory was an electrician by trade and a silversmith by passion. Some might say he set a “silver” standard for service and storytelling.

According to his wife of 40 years, Christine, and their friend of 26 years, Stacie Lowery, he left trace elements of both behind when he died June 27.

“He loved to tell stories and jokes,” his wife said.

Lowery added, “He really enjoyed meeting all the people who came into his shop.”

The McCrorys moved to the area in 1978, and Mac opened The Silversmith Shop on Main Street in Zelienople in 2001. Although he'd been designing and crafting jewelry for years, it was the first time he forged a smithing business. Opening his own shop gave him opportunity and flexibility — opportunity to meet knew people and flexibility to bring his pet dogs to work. Dale Evans — the McCrorys' rescued Keeshond — manned the shop with Mac in recent months.

“He loved doing it,” Christine said, adding that Mac was both owner and employee. “Day in and day out. Tuesday through Saturday, it was him running that shop.”

Most of the items that The Silversmith Shop sold was Mac's handiwork. Almost all of it was silver. Much of it was inlaid with turquoise from New Mexico.

“He loved turquoise. And he loved crosses,” Christine said. “He did a lot of necklaces, bracelets.”

Mac took special requests and fixed broken jewelry. And when the need arose, he volunteered his electrical skills. He wired homes for the underprivileged through Hosanna Industries Inc. He helped out at the YMCA's Camp Kon-O-Kwee. During the annual Horse Trading Days weekend, he organized electrical panels for operational purposes. It was one of his favorite ways to volunteer during one of his favorite festivals.

He loved new people visiting the Zelienople area and stopping by his shop. The chance to be part of a community was important to him.

“He always had extra things for (visitors),” Christine said. “It was an outlet for him, really, to tell his stories and play cards.”

Christine planned to open The Silversmith Shop once again for Horse Trading Days to honor her husband's memory, but an unforeseen issue prevented it. Several things — some of Mac's finer pieces, items on layaway and equipment — have gone missing since Mac's health started deteriorating. Christine is in the process of locating the missing items and responding to customers' inquiries. The situation is difficult.

“If he knew what happened, he'd be mortified,” she said. “If you were his friend, you were his friend. He didn't see any character flaws.”

Many terms describe Mac McCrory: Korean War veteran, 50-year Mason, parishioner of St. Gregory Catholic Church, businessman, volunteer and humanitarian. But no matter how those who knew him choose to remember him, Mac's central mission remains the same.

“(It was) to be part of something bigger than him(self),” Christine said.