Bill McGinnes, an iconic Gulf Shores restaurateur and the Papa, passed away on Wednesday, July 16.
McGinnes, 83, created a vibrant atmosphere at Papa Rocco’s with their signature pizza, fresh seafood and beer, but guests and locals will always remember the impact “the Papa” left, transforming a little pizza shop into the community staple it has evolved into today.
“He was an engineer up in Michigan, and he moved here, and he took the business from nothing to where it is today,” said Kenneth Jones, whom McGinnes handpicked to take on ownership of Papa Rocco’s in 2024. “He’s known all over the United States, [if not] all over the world. Heck, he’s got family from Scotland. He’s got people who know him and travel, and they come here whenever they come to Gulf Shores.”
Born May 30, 1942, in Glasgow, Scotland, McGinnes served in the U.S. Army before beginning a career as a mechanical engineer in Michigan. It was there where he met and married the love of his life, Rose, remaining companions throughout their ventures until her passing in 2017.
For 20 years, McGinnes worked as a project manager with ModCo, the world’s largest cutting tool manufacturer, but he always dreamed about starting his own restaurant. That dream became a reality when on March 15, 1985, Rose and he opened Papa Rocco’s at 101 W. Sixth Ave. in Gulf Shores.
Jones said he first met McGinnes around eight years ago after Rose passed away. Jones, who lost his son about seven days apart, bonded with McGinnes through their grief, and the two began a lasting friendship.
“You walk in, you know he’s in the building,” Jones said, chuckling. “He was always having fun, laughing, cutting up and having a good time. You knew he was here.”
McGinnes’s contributions to the community include his role in the annual St. Patrick’s Day Walking Parade, which has been going strong since it started around the mid-1970’s. After taking the reigns as grand marshal in 1989, McGinnes helped turn the parade and pub crawl into a community event, drawing hundreds of participants every year as they walk down Highway 59 in Gulf Shores, stopping by bars along the way.
Besides his business ventures, McGinnes was a huge fan of the Michigan Wolverines, as evident by the dozens of signed photos and memorabilia hanging on the walls within Papa Rocco’s, along with memorabilia from other teams such as the Alabama Crimson Tide and personal photos of him, his family and friends.
McGinnes also had an avid passion for opera, having traveled across the country to attend performances. This passion and his love of the arts led to a close relationship with the Pensacola Opera, where he was a beloved patron along with being a member and donor. He was honored with a star outside Saenger Theatre in Pensacola for his contributions to the local arts scene.
McGinnes is survived by his nephew, Neil McGinnes, and his wife, Katie McGinnes; his nieces, Gail Harris and husband, Rob, Karen McGinnes, Heather Phillip and Laurie McPeak; and his sister-in-law, Nan McGinnes. He is also lovingly remembered by his great-nieces, Maegan Harris and Mairi McGinnes; and his great-nephews, Kyle Harris, Tyler Harris and Malcolm McGinnes.
When asked how McGinnes would like to be remembered, Jones had a simple response.
“He," Jones said, "was the Papa."
