Michael Heenan

1947 - 2013

Michael Heenan
Sept. 15, 1947 - June 22, 2013
Resident of Pleasant Hill
It is possible that Michael Heenan was killed in action following heroics that will be the inspiration for songs sung in our country's great halls for years to come. It is also possible that he passed one Saturday in June in his hospital bed. Regardless of the truth, his departure from this earth was one that came far too soon for all that had the privilege to know the man and perhaps later than the man himself would have preferred.
Michael spent his early years among a large and loving Irish Catholic family just outside of Philadelphia, PA, and made the long trip west to California following his graduation from Saint Joseph's University. Attending the University of California at Berkeley he met and married his wife and together they produced an intelligent, articulate, handsome son and later a daughter (bets taken on who wrote this obituary).
Always dedicated and always hardworking, he left bohemian Berkeley to forge a life in the East Bay's Pleasant Hill. There he served the community through a two-decade commitment to youth soccer providing guidance to hundreds throughout the years. In addition to his enjoyment of the beautiful game he was a brilliant mathematician and an expert chess player. His love for learning persisted until his final days and his curiosity and questioning could be both contagious and infuriating. He was quick with a smile and a laugh and possessed the longest fuse that any Irishman could hope to have. He left this world with his integrity entirely intact and served as a shining example for those willing to stand up for what they believe.
Michael is survived by his loving wife of forty years, Jill, their son, Torin, and daughter, Siobhain, and extensive friends and family that loved him and will miss him. Per Michael's request, there are no services planned. If you would like to honor his life please make a donation to your favorite charity in his name.