Michael Allen Kneale

MICHAEL ALLEN KNEALE - CHERISHED FATHER, FRIEND, GRANDFATHER, AND ADVISOR
Michael Kneale devoted his life to the advancement of his family, his musical skills, his short game, and the financial future of his clients. A life long Detroiter and graduate of East Detroit High School, Mike spent most of his time outside the motor city exploring New England, Southwest Florida, and Northern Michigan. Throughout his life Mike cultivated a wide array of friends, business relationships, and purposeful charitable endeavors. Michael died peacefully due to complications of radiation while surrounded by loved ones at the Karmanos Cancer Institute on May 27th, 2023.
Forever a competitor, Mike was deeply accomplished in both tennis and golf. Winning several regional tennis tournaments in his youth to go on and play collegiately at Wayne State University, winning the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) doubles championship in 1980 with MVP honors. In his later years, Mike could often be found on the golf course honing his mostly scratch golf game. A longtime member of Gowanie Golf Club, he eventually shifted to a club closer to home, joining Oakland Hills Country Club in 2009.
Music was never far from Mike's life, and as an accomplished pianist, he formed the wedding band 'Vintage' to help make ends meet in college and provide a fulfilling way to share his talents with others while he cultivated his career as a Financial Advisor at Dean Witter Reynolds (now Morgan Stanley.)
At Morgan Stanley, Mike found tremendous success in a field fraught with tremendous difficulty. He received special honors at both Columbia and the Wharton School of Business while racking up 30 straight years of Presidents Club honors, a feat rarely achieved in an industry so commonly known for its ups and downs. He spent 37 years at the firm helping thousands of people secure and sustain their financial futures.
Providing guidance was both a career and a passion for Mike, in over a decade of service on the board of Lutheran Social Services (now known as Samaritas), Mike helped assist in meaningful community outreach for both existing midwesterners in need, and refugees seeking a new life away from their wartorn homes.
Mike was both a father and mentor to his son Christopher Kneale. As his only child, they shared a special bond, going to a lifetime's worth of Red Wings games, watching movies, and spending countless hours trying to play every golf course in southeast Michigan.
Mike loved and cherished his two grandchildren, Noah & Amelia, often finding creative ways to share his athletic pursuits with them. He will forever be remembered as "Grandpa Mike" who played tennis in his basement, would go putt putting at a moments notice, and always inexplicably seemed to have donuts on hand.
Five years ago, Mike met his better half in Sarah Parker. They shared many years together traveling, exploring new interests, and building a loving relationship and friendship through good times and bad.
He is survived by his son Christopher (Ashley), Grandchildren (Noah & Amelia), his companion Sarah, his sister Kathleen (Glen), his brothers Mark (Cheryl) & Allen (Susan) and his Aunt Christine and Uncle Alvin (Mary). He was also a loving Uncle to many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his Mother & Father (Marlene and Albert), and his Uncle (Lynn Brancheau).
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 31, from 3-8PM at A.J. Desmond and Sons Funeral Home, 2600 Crooks Rd, Troy (between Maple and Big Beaver). (248) 362-2500
Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, June 1, at 10:30AM with visitation starting at 10AM at the funeral home.
Following services we will meet at the internment site at the Cadillac Memorial Gardens East at 38425 Garfield Rd in Clinton Township.
A luncheon will be held following internment starting at 12:30pm at Fern Hill Golf Club, 17600 Clinton River Road, Clinton Township, MI.
In lieu of flowers, please consider sending memorials to the American Cancer Society or Samaritas at the links below: https://www.cancer.org/donate.html https://www.samaritas.org/About-Samaritas/Empower-Others/Donate