Michael Arthur Sherman

Michael Arthur Sherman July 10, 1939 to June 21, 2025 Michael Arthur Sherman "Mike" passed away peacefully on the first day of summer June 21, 2025. Mike was born on July 10, 1939, in New York, NY to Sylvia and Ira Sherman. He grew up in Flushing, New York and graduated from Bayside High School where he played baseball and basketball. He continued his love of sports playing in college at SUNY Cortland and earned a degree in physical education and met his wife Cynthia J. Purcell "Cindy." They got married on their graduation day, June 11, 1961, at Cindy's sorority house. After their wedding, Mike and Cindy traveled to Illinois to continue his education at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana where he earned his PhD in Education while starting a family. Mike accepted a job at the University of Pittsburgh and moved his wife Cindy and their three children Scott, Beth and Greg to Pittsburgh, PA settling in the suburb of Monroeville where they established roots in the community and made lifelong friendships. Mike spent his entire career at PITT and became a die-hard Pittsburgh Panthers, Pirates, Steelers, and Penguins fan (although his loyalty remained with the NY Yankees throughout his life). Mike was passionate about his career in sports pedagogy where he helped students master the art of teaching. He mentored many international students aiding them with research projects and drafting dissertations and he enjoyed learning about their cultures in return. Mike was a pioneer in using technology in the classroom and was one of the first to help students learn to utilize computers to enhance learning. This is where he got the nickname "MICROMIKE" which stuck with him throughout his life. When Mike was not working or trying out a new hobby like gardening, sailing, tennis, or golf, he was driving his kids around to their sports practices and events. Mike shared his passion for sports with his children and helped them each develop a love of tennis and hockey (Scott), gymnastics (Beth) and running (Greg). He did not realize that all three of them would later become multiple time Ironman Triathletes! Mike never missed a day reading the sports section and he continued that love sharing scores and results and attending games with his sons throughout the years. Mike retired from PITT in 1999 and helped Cindy grow her tie-dye business by attending numerous arts and crafts festivals around the Tri-State area and beyond. He was her chief operations manager at the festivals and took on the responsibilities of transportation, booth set-up and modeling her original apparel. Mike also enjoyed attending live theater, movies, and concerts. He had quite the CD collection. After their children graduated from college and they retired from their careers, Mike and Cindy moved west to Prescott, Arizona to be closer to their children and grandchildren in Phoenix and San Diego. It was hard to leave behind their house they raised their family in for over 30 years and their cherished friends, but they were ready for a new adventure. They enjoyed spending the next 22 years living in a small town closer to their kids but a little bit cooler with a lot less snow than Pittsburgh. Mike and Cindy became proud parents of 3 Bichons; Sweetie Pie, Ginger, and Buster who were their loyal companions, pride, and joy during their time in Prescott. The quaint town of Prescott was the perfect gathering place for holidays, local shows, and festivals. They also could hop in the car and drive to Phoenix to share holiday celebrations, special events, and attend touring Broadway Shows at ASU Gammage. Mike and Cindy enjoyed cruising their way around the world, experiencing many exotic locations. When not traveling by sea, they took many road trips back and forth across the United States to visit family and friends logging many miles on their car, stopping at many small-town diners along the way and listening to books on tape before that was a thing. They passed their love of travel onto their kids and grandkids. Mike and Cindy moved to Scottsdale to be closer to family to meet their changing needs in December 2023. Mike survived just short of a year after Cindy passed last 4th of July 2024. Mike was loved and cared for by a village of residents and care partners at Clearwater Pinnacle Peak, private caregivers from Phil Care and Noble Hospice who helped make it possible for his kids to spend quality time together joining him for happy hours, spending time in the pool, going on a few outings including baseball, boat ride, horse farm, and concerts. He had a reputation at Clearwater for his sweet tooth, his love of Rocky Road ice cream, his smile, his sweet singing voice, love for the resident and visiting dogs, and his "punny" sense of humor. In lieu of a service at this time, Mike's children will be traveling to Hawaii at a later date to spread the ashes of Mike, Cindy, and their beloved Bichons to fulfill their final wishes. Mike is survived by his three children Scott, Beth (Dennis) and Greg, 5 grandchildren Zachary, Samantha (Daniel), Jacob (Kayla), Sarah, and Jeremy (Eva) and 5 great grandchildren Riley, Wyatt, Avery, Laney, and Tomas, his sister Barbara (Bobbie), nieces and nephews Heidi, Ian (Laura), Amy, sister-in-law Barbara, brother in-law Gary, nieces and nephews Dana (Scott), Michael (Debbie) and Evan (Egle) and cousins, grand nieces and nephews. Mike now rests in peace with the best seat in the stadium. If you would like to make a donation in memory of Mike, please consider the following charities: Alzheimer's Association https://www.alz.org Be Kind People Project (youth sports) https://thebekindpeopleproject.org/programs/athletes-for-arizona/ American Diabetes Association Https://www.diabetes.org To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Michael Arthur Sherman, please visit our floral store.