Michael J. Barron

Any man can be a father but it takes a special person to be a Dad Michael James Barron, Sr., 78, passed away May 25 in Sylvania, OH. He was born January 14, 1936 in Oak Park, IL to Maurice Barron and Marguerite Shoup. He was a graduate of Fenwick High School in Oak Park, IL C53, the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA C57, and earned an MBA at the University of Chicago, IL C67. After receiving a ROTC commission at Holy Cross, he was a Navy officer and a Tin Can sailor from 1957-1960, separating from the service as a Lieutenant JG. He had a storied career in the railroad industry, beginning at Burlington Railroad, DT&I, and Grand Trunk, culminating as the CEO of the Ann Arbor Railroad until his retirement in 1996. Mike was an avid reader of the Wall Street Journal, a fan of FOX News, and a member of the Union League Club of Chicago. He was a lector at Saint Josephs Catholic Church. He was known for his dry wit, Saturday night martinis, sage advice, and his love for his faith, family, and country. He is survived by his wife, Marguerite Monnie Sheehan Barron of Sylvania, OH, and his sister, Kay Tuite of Glen Rock, NJ. He leaves a lasting legacy in his five children and sixteen grandchildren: Ann Riddle of Sylvania, OH, her husband Bill, and their daughters Madeline, of Dayton, OH, Elizabeth, and Kathryn; Michael Barron, Jr. of Oak Park, IL, his wife Dina, and their children Michael, Monica, Thomas, Maria, Peter, and Isaac; John Barron of Sarasota, FL, his wife Lauren Wood, and their daughters Helena and Cecily; James Barron of Stoughton, MA, his wife Gretchen, and their daughters Megan and Caitlin; and Leo Barron of Sierra Vista, AZ, his wife Caulyne, and their children, Conor Mahoney of Wilmington, NC, Gavin, and Charlotte. His life will be celebrated at a mass at St. Josephs Catholic Church on Saturday, May 31, at 9:30 a.m. at 5373 Main Street in Sylvania. Burial will follow at Toledo Memorial Park. A viewing will take place the evening before at Walker Funeral Home from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. at 5155 W. Sylvania in Toledo. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to St. Josephs School Endowment Fund, 5411 S. Main St., Sylvania, OH 43560 or the Northwest Ohio Scholarship Fund, 5800 Monroe St., Ste. F5, Sylvania, OH 43560. The family also wishes to extend their gratitude to the staff at Flower Hospital. Condolences may be shared with the family at walkerfuneralhomes.com. For more information, please contact Walker Funeral Home, Toledo, OH.