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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2 comments:

  1. I was one of the fortunate people to know Mike and all the kids. He will be missed by all. Our thoughts and prayers to the Powers family and much love.
    - Tom BoBo and Jennifer Geoghegan

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  2. Sleeper (Larry Sleep) said: I knew and loved this big teddy bear for over 40 years. We played together at UCSB and shared many wonderful stories, memories (and lies:) at our alumni game each spring. Kind, loving, great friend, family man, outstanding athlete and savvy businessman are but a few words that describe Mike. Always a smile, laugh and story each time we met. He leaves behind a wonderful wife and extended family. I know all of us will carry on the lessons he taught and the legacy he leaves. My family sends our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to the Powers Family.

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