Mike J. Tansey

Michael J. Tansey, 61, of Temperance, passed away peacefully Tuesday morning, May 20, 2014 at Ebeid Hospice in Sylvania after a brief battle with epithelioid angiosarcoma, an extremely rare and aggressive form of cancer. Mike was born September 19, 1952 in Toledo to the late Joseph Patrick and Marie Therese Beidleman Tansey. He graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1970. Mike began his career with GTE now Verizon, where he was employed for more than 30 years and eventually promoted to central office switchman. He attended the University of Toledo while working full-time at GTE and raising his family and went on to earn associate and bachelors degrees in electronic engineering technology. After graduating, he began his own business, Vision Computer Service Ltd., which he owned and operated for more than 10 years. In 2006, the City of Sylvania hired Mike as its first-ever information technology manager, a position he was pivotal in creating through consulting work he performed on the citys behalf over the years. Sylvania Mayor Craig A. Stough visited him in hospice and proclaimed May 14, 2014 as Michael J. Tansey Day in the city for his instrumental role in keeping it in the forefront of computer technology. Mikes efforts resulted in Sylvanias implementation of cutting-edge security equipment to protect its computer network, which included data recovery and a state-of-the-art back-up solution. In addition, he developed the very first website for the city, led the creation of its current website and directed the development of a brand new website scheduled to launch next month. Mike was a prominent member of the Sylvania community through his work at the city and involvement in the Rotary Club of Sylvania. He also served for a number of years as a member of the Sylvania Police Citizens Patrol. He was very active with the Rotary Club and its causes, participating in the Election Night Pancake Supper and Medical Equipment Supplies Abroad MESA. An avid bicyclist, Mike rode in three Rotary Bicycle Tours for MESA across Ohio to raise funds to send medical supplies to poor countries and was preparing for his fourth. Mike found working with MESA to be a life-changing experience, and he devoted much time and energy in support of this activity. One of the parts of MESA he most enjoyed was loading trucks full of medical supplies headed abroad. Mike was a member of the Southern Michigan Sportsmans Club and enjoyed shooting. He had also had recently taken up golf, and, as with anything he tried, was fully committed to eventually mastering the sport. Above all, though, his favorite pastimes revolved around his family, whether he was making ice cream runs in his red Corvette with his best girl, attending Mud Hens games or the Toledo Zoo with his two grandchildren, or hanging out and cooking out around the Tansey Family pool with whichever family members could make it on a given weekend. Spending time with his family brought him his greatest joy, especially during the Christmas season when he donned his signature Santa hat and made sure that everyone had far more presents than he. He loved attending every one of his grandchildrens functions at St. Joseph School in Sylvania. Among his favorites were the Preschool Art Show and the Pilgrim Picnic. Mike was looking forward to watching his grandsons first Tee Ball game and preschool graduation this spring, as well as his granddaughters graduation from Kindergarten. Earlier in the spring, he arranged for his granddaughter, a Daisy Scout, to sell Girl Scout Cookies to his Rotary Club colleagues via video recording, since she was in school at the time they held their weekly lunch meeting. He also led her through the City of Sylvania offices, where she personally asked for and later delivered sales. As an entrepreneur himself, he wanted to be sure SHE sold the cookies, not him, and it worked. She sold the most cookies in her troop. Mike will be affectionately remembered for his love of the Michigan Wolverines; Irish whiskey, black cherry ice cream and chili mac; inspiring work ethic and uncanny ability to fix anything; contagious sense of humor, and strong, larger-than-life presence. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Ryan Joseph. Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 40 years, Mary Beth Klewer Tansey; daughter, Maegen Joseph, Jr. Verkennes; his beloved grandchildren, Erinn Elizabeth and Joseph Michael Verkennes; siblings, Patrick Anne Tansey, Colleen David Rodriguez Tansey; and Brian Kelly Green Tansey, and dearly loved nieces and nephews. Friends are invited to visit the family on Friday from 2-8 p.m. in the Walker Funeral Home, 5155 Sylvania Ave. west of Corey Rd. where a scripture service will begin at 7:45 p.m. Funeral services will begin in the funeral home on Saturday with prayers at 9:30 a.m. and proceed to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 5373 S. Main Street, Sylvania, for 10 a.m. Mass. Committal will follow at Toledo Memorial Park. Mikes family would like to send its sincere gratitude to the physicians, nurses and staffs of ProMedica Flower and Toledo hospitals and ProMedica Ebeid Hospice for all of their dedicated, caring service throughout his illness. Memorials are suggested to the Sylvania Community Rotary Foundation or MESA. Online condolences can be expressed at walkerfuneralhomes.com.