Michael Ray Irvine

1945 - 2024

Michael Ray Irvine
09/30/1945 - 07/20/2024
Michael Ray Irvine passed away on July 20, 2024, of natural causes. He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years Carolyn Hart Irvine, children Keara Meyercord and her husband Ross, Amy Whiley and her husband Mark, and Michael H. Irvine, and his wife Katie. Mike, affectionately known as Big Mike or Bopi, will live through his grandchildren who gave him great pride and joy: Brynn, Keely, and Ashlin Meyercord, Lucy and Declan Irvine, and Cullen, Connor, and Sloane Whiley. All nine of his siblings also survive him: Richard Irvine (Betsy), Maggie Elliott (Jimmy), Fyfe Lavin (Ben), Patrick Irvine (Ping), George Irvine, Thomas Irvine (Lynne), Joseph Irvine (Gina), Ruth Hauer (Billy), and Jane Turner (Kent) and brother-in-laws Jim Hart (Nini) and Charles Hart (Kathie) and a host of special nieces and nephews.
Mike was born September 30, 1945, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles and was raised in the Pacific Palisades with his parents Richard and Ann Nerney Irvine and his nine siblings. Mike graduated from Loyola High School of Los Angeles before attending the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, IN. One of his greatest memories was being part of the first ND Study Abroad Program in Innsbruck, Austria. Mike kept in touch with his Innsbruck buddies and was thrilled when his son Michael participated in the same program in 1995, 30 years later. He met the love of his life through mutual friends after their studies abroad (Mike in Innsbruck and Carolyn in Vienna) while she attended Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, IN. Carolyn unsuccessfully set Mike up with several of her friends before agreeing to be his date to ND's prom. After graduation, Mike and Carolyn married in 1967 in Miller, South Dakota then drove across the country to start their life in Southern California. After obtaining his MBA from UCLA, Mike joined the National Guard where he was trained to be a cook but instead defended our country by repairing helicopters and working in the mess hall. He spent his entire professional career with MetLife Insurance, working in Southern California and raising his children with Carolyn in Newport Beach, CA until they relocated to Cos Cob, CT when Mike was transferred to the New York headquarters in 1990. After retiring in 2001, he and Carolyn wanted to be close to their children so moved to the Bay Area and settled in Hillsborough, CA. Family was so important to him and he felt lucky to be located within two miles of his three children and eight grandchildren.
In his retirement, Mike was an active member at the California Golf Club and Hillsborough Racquet Club. A doting husband, father and grandfather, he was quick with a pun, always cheering on his progeny and ready to help his friends and family in any way.
His grandchildren lovingly called him "Uber Bopi" for the last-minute shuttle service he was always happy to provide. He especially loved fly fishing and travel - his post-trip slideshows and photo books are legendary amongst his family. He was a life-long reader, golfer, fun and competitive player of games, and an avid follower of current events. The family was often forwarded "must read" articles that he found particularly insightful. He was a true Renaissance man with knowledge in so many different areas, but more importantly, a man with absolute integrity. He loved his family deeply and instilled in them strong values; we will strive to honor his memory by living our lives to make him proud.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Ability Path Auxiliary, abilitypath.org,
P.O. Box 307, Burlingame, CA 94011 or the University of Notre Dame Fund, giving.nd.edu in memory of Michael R. Irvine. A Celebration of Life will be held on August 16, 2024, at Our Lady of Angels in Burlingame, CA at 1:00 pm with a reception following at the Hillsborough Racquet Club. He will rest in peace at St. John's Cemetery in San Mateo.