Michael Lemieux

LEMIEUX, CAPTAIN MICHAEL ANTHONY, USN RET., passed away on Saturday in Boston. He was 56. Mike was born in Green Bay Wisconsin and grew up in Louisville Colorado; he was the oldest of 7 siblings. He graduated from Louisville High with top honors in academics and sports; his competitive spirit was evident from the start. Mike attended Western State College and received a Bachelors of Science in Chemistry and a minor in Music. His love of music started early and grew with time; he often spent time playing all variety of woodwind instruments. While at college he joined the ROTC, and although he had never seen the ocean was determined to become an officer in the United States Navy. In 1976 Mike was commissioned through the Officer Candidate School. Throughout his stellar career he was a great leader, mariner, tactician and shipmate. He had a passion for teaching and inspiring young Sailors and Midshipmen. His initial assignment was in Minesweepers where he served in DASH, DETECTOR and ADROIT. At-sea, he was Combat Information Center Officer in USS WORDEN (CG 18), Operations Officer in USS ELLIOT (DD 967) and USS REEVES (CG 24), pre-commissioning Executive Officer in USS CHOSIN (CG 65) and commanded USS O'BRIEN (DD 975) from May 1995 to March 1997. Ashore, he obtained a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering from Penn State University; taught chemistry at the Naval Academy. He was the Commander, Pacific Fleet Exercise Officer. He graduated from the Naval War College and served on the Joint Staff in the Western Hemisphere Branch. In 1998, he was diagnosed with leukemia and again assigned to the Naval Academy where he was an Associate Chair and chemistry instructor. His love of teaching continued. Upon his medical retirement in January 2002, he taught chemistry at the Naval Academy Preparatory School in Newport, RI. He held himself to the highest standards, and because of it was an inspiring and well regarded professor. Throughout the long battle with leukemia he always showed unflagging strength, spirit and vivacity in the face of adversity. When asked, he was always "doing great!" His warm and generous nature never wavered, and he continued to inspire and motivate those around him. He is survived by his father, sister, and four younger brothers. A Memorial will be held this coming Monday November 1st in 1112 auditorium at the Naval Station Newport at 5:00pm to be followed by a reception at the officer club. A private family service will take place in Louisville, CO, in late November. Given Mike's dedication to the Navy and the importance that had for him, in lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to an appropriate organization of your choice that supports veterans, or to the education of active, or retired, Navy personnel.