Michael Louis O’Leary

August 8, 1949 – March 10, 2022

Michael Louis O’Leary, aged 72, passed into the next world surrounded by his family at home in Tucson, Arizona on March 10, 2022, after a short battle with cancer. Michael was born and raised in Gladstone and Escanaba, Michigan. Michael was the first son, the third of seven children, of Edward and Genevieve (Thibault) O’Leary. A spunky, handsome, and bright boy, he loved playing basketball, skiing, and hanging out at the beach. In school, Pick (his high-school nickname) did well academically and socially, making many lifelong friends. 

Michael graduated from Escanaba Area High School in 1967. He attended college at Eastern Michigan University and then Eastern Washington University where he received a degree in English. During a break between colleges, he traveled much of the US and Europe before settling in Tampa, FL and then in Los Angeles, CA in the mid 70’s. He moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1979, joining several of his siblings that had recently migrated to San Francisco. There he met Heidi Haueter and they married in 1986. Michael and Heidi raised their two children, Kellan and Sarah, in San Mateo, CA, south of San Francisco. A devoted father, Michael was a stay-at-home dad when the kids were young.  During this time, he earned a Masters’ degree in Special Education. When his children started school, he rejoined the workforce as an elementary school Special Ed teacher. His new profession allowed him to have the same daily schedule as Kellan and Sarah. Family came first for Michael and he always wanted to be there for them.

Michael retired from teaching in 2017 and he and Heidi moved to Tucson, AZ. Retirement allowed Michael to spend more time pursuing his lifelong passion of writing. He was a prolific and amusing writer of memoirs, poetry, political commentary, and hyperbolic observations of daily life. He also tapped into his artistic side crafting and decorating his home with Southwestern style works of art. His whimsical and distinctive creations made his home the most unique abode on the block. 

Those who knew Michael will remember his youthful spirit, brilliant smile, big laugh, joie de vivre, and passionate personality. He was a man with a great appetite for life, love, and the pursuit of happiness in its simplest forms. He loved watching sports with his family and friends, and with his beloved dogs Lily and Charlie. He had a soft spot for all kids, but mostly for his young special ed students. During his teaching years, “Mr. O” would often be found on the playground at recess, surrounded by adoring students, regaling them with everything from serious stories to amusing “tall tales.”

Michael will be greatly missed by Heidi, Kellan, Sarah, and his son Lyle Boggs, and by his siblings Christine McAfee, Kathryn O’Leary, Debi O’Leary, Tim O’Leary, Mary O’Leary, Kelly O’Leary, and his “adopted” sister Patrice LaPorte, as well as his 12 nieces and nephews, former students, and many friends and Facebook followers.