Michael Evelyn Mitchell

Ahwatukee - Michael Evelyn Mitchell, born in 1936 in Sevenoaks, UK, passed away peacefully on March 2. His early years, shaped by the backdrop of WWII, were spent at school in the countryside, a time that instilled in him resilience and adaptability.

The 1950s saw Michael crossing the Atlantic to Canada, eventually settling in Vancouver to kickstart his career in insurance. Not long after, the 1960s saw him relocate to California, where he would leave a mark as the Executive Director of Friends Outside, contributing significantly to the growth of an organization dedicated to supporting families of incarcerated individuals. Michael's journey took another turn when along with Corrie Foos, he co-founded Micor, Inc., in San Jose, a successful insurance brokerage firm he helped lead for nearly two decades before retiring to Ahwatukee, Arizona.

His life was a testament to his passions: a profound love for his family, a thirst for history, knowledge and reason, friendship for any dog, an unwavering support for tennis and English soccer-really, any soccer-and a penchant for good beer. Cold or warm.

He survived his brother Peter and leaves behind a loving family: his wife Joan McGuirk, his sons Russell and Spencer, daughter-in-law Kim, his granddaughters Caitlin, Casey, and Claire, many nieces who all thought they were his favorite, and his brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Anita McGuirk. Michael also leaves behind a legacy of friendships, of the two and four-legged variety, a testament to his kind, generous, and inclusive spirit. His family is grateful to those who helped Michael on this final journey, particularly the beautiful souls at Hospice of the Valley.

He was a lovely man and will be missed.