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WHEREAS, Raymond H. McArdle, A.K.A BIG Mac, was a staple of the South Side, a legend of sorts of a hard-working man who would help anyone who he called a friend; and,
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WHEREAS, he resided on Sarah Street with his wife and 11 children; and,
WHEREAS, the McArdle's were the cowboys of Pittsburgh, conquering a wild steel town where documentation was secondary to having a good time with your people; and,
WHEREAS, ss luck would have it, Raymond purchased the bar using cash, barter and bets where McArdle's has been operating since 1939; and,
WHEREAS, in 1999, Raymond then passed the thriving business down to his son, Michael P. McArdle, who has been running the pub since his father's passing in 2012; and,
WHEREAS, Michael is the 7th of 11 children born to Raymond and Victoria McArdle and literally grew up in the bar, sweeping the floors starting at the age of 10 for a dollar a day; and,
WHEREAS, all of the South Pittsburgh, and all the regulars, know him as Uncle Mike, a well-deserved term of endearment because he has treated all patrons as family - from remembering customers drink orders, to having the infamous 5 for 5 IC light special prepared as soon as a regular walked through the door, Uncle Mike showed that he loved his people; and,
WHEREAS, like a character out of a movie, with his bald shiny head, large frame and intimidating Irish stare, yet the same man who would jump over the bar to stop a fight or protect one of his own - Michael was and is that guy who embodies the essence of the Pittsburgh we all know and love and decades of patrons will never forget this man, father, and friend; and,
WHEREAS, most known for its flaming Dr. Pepper, which ironically enough doesn't even contain Dr. Pepper, patrons would line the bar with flaming glasses setting the place ablaze with exuberance; and,
WHEREAS, many people have loved McArdle's Pub for its spirited and welcoming environment, one loyal customer has even been coming all the way from Ca...
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