MICHAEL ANTHONY O'LEARY (MIKE)

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MICHAEL ANTHONY O'LEARY
January 14, 1953 - January 29, 2021

With heavy hearts we announce the passing of our brother, uncle and stepson, Michael O'Leary.
Mike was predeceased by his parents, Dr. Daniel and Maureen O'Leary (née Twohig) and four brothers, Jerome, Patrick, Daniel and Henry. He is survived by his stepmother Fe O'Leary; siblings, Tom (Linda), Con (Rita) Sheila (Roger), Judith (Phil), Noreen (Andrew), Dan and Johanna (Lippe); nieces, Maura, Sophie, Aoife and Sheridan; nephews, Ryan (Lauren) and Ted; grandniece Thaea; grandnephews, Thomas and James; and stepniece Terra. In Ireland he leaves to mourn his cousins and his aunt, Joan Cronin.
Mike was born in St. John's and lived his first eight years in Newfoundland. This was followed by seven years in Ireland with a return to Canada in 1968 to Gladstone, Manitoba. He completed high school in Gladstone, and went on to a 42-year long career in hydroelectric generation. He started working at Manitoba Hydro in 1973 and had postings as a technical operator in Grand Rapids, Gillam and Rosser from 1975 to 1986. He then transferred to Winnipeg Hydro and worked at the Pointe du Bois plant as Supervisor of Power Plant Operations. He remained in the same position after Winnipeg Hydro was bought by Manitoba Hydro in 2002. He retired in 2015.
Mike showed great mechanical ability from an early age with part time jobs in garages and body shops. He took pride in his collection of cars, loved to tinker, and was very talented at rebuilding vehicles. In his early years he loved to travel and often returned to Ireland to visit relatives. He also liked to curl, golf, fish, play music and study history. Unfortunately, he was afflicted for many years with fibromyalgia, which curtailed enjoyment of his hobbies. Mike will be very much missed by family and close friends.
We would like to thank the health professionals in Manitoba and the Westview Health Centre in Stony Plain, Alberta, who took such good care of Mike in his final days. We would also like to thank Keith and Janice Grift for being such good friends to Mike.
A Celebration of Life will take place at a later date in Gladstone, Manitoba.
Donations in Mike's memory may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.
Park Memorial Funeral Home in Edmonton is in charge of arrangements. Condolences can be posted at www.parkmemorial.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 05, 2021, Feb 06, 2021