Monday, August 15, 2011

Look to the heavenly skies.............they will be shining so bright with another heavenly star. Mike passed into God's embrace Sunday, August 14, at home surrounded by his family. The celebration of his life will be held Friday, 1:30pm at St. Maria Goretti Catholic church. In lieu of flowers please send donations to Hospice of the Valley.

Obituary from The Arizona Republic (or view it here at azcentral.com) 


Powers, John Michael (Mike) 62, passed into God's loving arms on August 14, at home with his dearly beloved family. Born Dec. 19, 1948 in Ft. Benning, GA, the oldest of five children, his family moved about as the children of an army officer. He attended college at UC Santa Barbara where he was the catcher on the baseball team (MVP) and met the love of his life and wife-to-be, Missy. Subsequent to his graduation he played a year of professional baseball in Canada followed by a year in the San Francisco Giants organization. Married in 1971, they moved to Arizona in 1972 where they had five children. Mike's biggest love in life was his family. He always worked his schedule around being present at the multitude of baseball, soccer, football, and basketball games for the boys, and gymnastic and diving meets for the girls. His second love and passion was coaching his sons (and countless other boys) in baseball, where they got life lessons as well as baseball skills,-from T-ball through summer college leagues, then driving all over the country to watch his three sons play college and professional baseball. These past years have had the added joy of having all of his grandchildren nearby. Bigger than life, his infectious laugh, Irish sense of humor, warm and generous personality, along with his strong faith always drew others to him. He is pre-deceased by his mother, Dorotha and sister Kathy. He is survived by his loving and beloved wife of 39 years, Missy, his children Kristin (Chris), John, Jeff (Nikki), Valerie (Dave), Greg, his father, Col. John F. Powers, brothers, Dave, Steve (Barb) and Dan (Catherine), as well as his grandchildren, Sean, Jeremy, Katie, Tyler, Keira and Abby and numerous nieces and nephews. He is deeply missed by his family and friends. A memorial mass will be held at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church on Friday, Aug. 19, at 1:30. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Hospice of the Valley. Arrangements entrusted to Messinger Mortuary.

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Thursday, August 11, 2011

MIKE POWERS: Husband - Father - Grandfather - Coach - Friend

Dearest Family and Friends,

It is with sadness and joy that I write this letter.  Mike was diagnosed with prostate cancer five and half years ago and has been battling recurring metastatic cancer for the last five years.  We have had wonderful doctors and he has gone through every available palliative treatment.

Our lives these past years have been filled with the happiness of noisy Powers family get-togethers, trips across country (driving of course!) and the joy of quiet moments sitting on our patio watching “our” sunsets and wildlife in our backyard.  We have truly enjoyed every precious minute of these last few years.

If there is one description of Mike it is that his biggest love in life has been family.  He always worked his schedule around being present at the multitude of baseball, soccer, football, and basketball games for the boys, and gymnastic and diving meets for the girls.  His second love was coaching our sons (and countless other boys) in baseball – from T-ball through summer college leagues.

He spent our sons’ college years and then their pro-baseball years driving around the country to see them play baseball and his happiest weekends were when he could watch two boys in the same vicinity and drive back and forth to see four or five games in one weekend.

These past years have had the added joy of having all of our grandchildren nearby.  Mike loved having them spend the night and crawl into bed with us in the mornings, taking them out to breakfast, attending their baseball, soccer, football and basketball games as well as dance recitals and gymnastic meets, and all the other millions of things that grandchildren do to bring so much joy.

We are entering the last few days of having Mike with us and his faith has been strong throughout.  We have spent time praying together and have shared intimate moments of faith as well as shared memories of our 45 years together and our wonderful family.

All of you know Mike has always had an infectious laugh and his Irish sense of humor and wonderful personality have drawn others to him.  So as we close this chapter, I would like to invite you to enjoy a few pictures we’ve posted and help us celebrate his life by sharing any memories you might have.

Our family joins me in thanking all of you for all of your prayers and support.

With love and prayers to each of you,

Missy and Family
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Baby Mike with Mom and Dad
Baby Mike

Riding a horse, age 4

Brothers and sister, Carmel Beach 1970


Mike, Dad, Brothers and Beloved Mother and Sister 30 years later
 
Mike standing in front of the "dugout" and the batting cage after first game - UC Santa Barbara, May 1970

Mike posing, last few minutes as Gaucho #4 - UC Santa Barbara, May 1970
 
As Mike wrote in our album, "The Impossible Accomplished" - Mike during the second game with a whole package of Conwood Chewing tobacco in his mouth. Note: Bob Royster in the foreground. UC Santa Barbara, May 1970

Mike and Missy at the baseball stadium, San Francisco Giants, Decatur, IL, 1971


Mike and Missy wedding, November 1971

Mike (center) and brothers Dave and Steve- Circle K baseball, summer 1975

 
Greg's baptism, Carmel Mission 1981
  
John's law school graduation, San Diego 2004
  
Christmas 2009
  
Visit from Seattle and Boston cousins, 2009

Mike and Jeff, Tyler's baptism

Tyler's first birthday

Tyler's first birthday

Hangin' in the pool with the grandkids

Mike and Missy at Tyler's first dance performance

Tyler's first soccer game
 
Thanksgiving 2010

Carmel Beach