Michael Gerard O’Leary

I love Mike, and you too Carol. Mike generously loved me and encouraged me to lay my hands on the love of Christ. He made me laugh, he made me feel accepted and valued, and he taught me how to think outside the box. God extended grace and mercy to me through my friendship with Mike. Carol, I loved the two of you together and you and Mike brought so much joy to my life.

Mike O! You impacted my life in incredibly important and powerful ways. You taught me these lessons and I am forever grateful. I look forward to seeing you again.

- Your life is the tool
- Give your leaders Jesus (not just Young Life) or they will go somewhere else to find Him.
- The principle of the “Golden Goose.”
- The principle of “two more liquor bottles.”
- the Maverick versus the Mustang
- the power of a habit - make your bed
- the the circle of concern vs the circle of control - Covey
- the Life of the Beloved: Our day with Henri Nouwen in Toronto

Thank you for giving me “the blessing” and for being my friend and mentor.
I love you,
Mike T

Mike O! You impacted my life in incredibly important and powerful ways. You taught me these lessons and I am forever grateful. I look forward to seeing you again.

- Your life is the tool
- Give your leaders Jesus (not just Young Life) or they will go somewhere else to find Him.
- The principle of the “Golden Goose.”
- The principle of “two more liquor bottles.”
- the Maverick versus the Mustang
- the power of a habit - make your bed
- the the circle of concern vs the circle of control - Covey
- the Life of the Beloved: Our day with Henri Nouwen in Toronto

Thank you for giving me “the blessing” and for being my friend and mentor.
I love you,
Mike T

Dear Carol, Mary, and Patricia,
Mike's life was truly a blessing to many. I was inspired as I watched the celebration service today and heard of how Mike touched so many lives for the Lord. I remember his gentle spirit at the Young Life meetings I attended. My prayers are with you and your family. It was so good to see you, Tricia, on the video, and I hope our paths may cross again in the future. Seems like a lifetime ago since our days on Alcona Street in Lanham. God bless you.

Mike and I first met when I was Chair of the Board of Young Life Canada and we invited Mike to be our next President. In that role he and I talked every week and met in person twice every month to review the direction of YL, and then to share our lives in a Bible study.

As President of YL Canada, Mike was a true professional, a gentleman, wise, unflappable, disciplined and exactly what we needed at that time as our national YL leader, just like his two predecessors were in their time. As a friend, Mike was a caring, wise and a trusted friend.

Carol, we were not able to be at Mike’s celebration of life as we were (and still are) out of the country, but know that like so many others, Mike had a profound impact on our lives, will never be forgotten and our prayers are with you and your family.

All our love, Doug (and Laurie).

I spent a year as Mike's trainee in Rochester, N.Y., in 1989 and in that one year he taught me what it meant to be a man of God, a friend, a disciple and a family man. Looking back I consider that one of the greatest years of my life because I got to spend time with him and his family. Mike's goal was to make a difference and he certainly did in a lot of people's lives. We are all better Christians and people for having known him and spent time with him.
I look forward to seeing you again in the Kingdom. I love you and cherish the time we had together.

Mike O! You impacted my life in incredibly important and powerful ways. You taught me these lessons and I am forever grateful. I look forward to seeing you again.

- Your life is the tool
- Give your leaders Jesus (not just Young Life) or they will go somewhere else to find Him.
- The principle of the “Golden Goose.”
- The principle of “two more liquor bottles.”
- the Maverick versus the Mustang
- the power of a habit - make your bed
- the the circle of concern vs the circle of control - Covey
- the Life of the Beloved: Our day with Henri Nouwen in Toronto

Thank you for giving me “the blessing” and for being my friend and mentor.
I love you,
Mike T

“So we do not lose heart. Though our self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light and momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison as we lean not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. So we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, the house not made with hands, eternal and in heaven.” 1 Cor 4:16-5:1

I remember Mike’s dry sense of humor and after he said something funny you see the “O’Leary smirk” on his face! He was truly a man of God and sought the Lord consistently and with all his heart! God gifted him in so many ways! His ability to take Chuck Reinhold’s vision and put into practical ways to accomplish it in Young Life was amazing! I’m am so grateful to have know Mike as a friend and mentor. I will see you again Mike!

Best boss I ever had. More than a boss - mentor, corrector, car repairman, photographer, friend. I make my bed in hotel rooms because of Mike O’Leary. I start with the simple stuff because of Mike O’Leary. For years, way beyond anyone else, I wore ties on a plane because of Mike O’Leary. I read my Bible everyday (or attempt) and Mike O’Leary is one of the reasons. There was a border between us but he was just up the road. I thought we had time. He’s still teaching me lessons.

Mike was a truly amazing man. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from him. I could always count on Mike to offer a word of encouragement and spur me on. His commitment to Christ inspires me greatly.

We are as stunned as if a sudden gust of wind has caused an unexpected jibe, parted our spinnaker and blown us completely off course. We will remember Mike for his clarity of thought, ready approachability, deep understanding of the Gospel that he lived with exuberance and integrity, and the unsurpassed love he devoted to Carol and his kids.
Thanks, Mike for your friendship, leadership, and grace. May Heaven provide you with "fair winds and following seas" until we next meet on Fiddler's Green.

Cliff and Debi

https://genius.com/The-irish-rovers-fiddlers-green-lyrics

It was a great privilege to know Mike and work alongside him with Chuck and also with Denny to grow Young Life to reach more kids with the Good News. He had a huge and somewhat unknown impact on the growth surge in the 90's and 2000's in Young Life. He served in so many ways and brought so much talent and passion to the table. It was even better to become a friend and see his mischievous, funny, joyful self as we worked on things. Everywhere he went he embodied the sweet scent of Christ in a Mike O flavor. Praying for Carol and the family as they adjust to Mike being there and not here.

As I recall, I met Mike the first summer. I served as a college volunteer leader under Newt Hetrick, and stayed to drive boats at Saranac that summer. Because of our Irish Catholic affinity I believe MIKE was the only staff person that called me “Danny” as if and stayed to drive boats at Saranac that summer. Because of our Irish Catholic affinity I believe Mike was the only staff person that called me “Danny“ as if he was one of my Irish Catholic cousins as if he was one of the family! Over the next 25 years as a volunteer and on staff, I remember encounters with Mike as being deeply relational, Christ centered, challenging to me as a servant, leader, and very helpful practically and running an organization and operating a local area. More than anything, after encounters with MIKE, two things were certain: we laughed during our encounter, and I left feeling deeply loved by him and our savior. Mike was one of the kind, a perfect amalgam of humor, joy, good counsel, wisdom and Jesus. My suspicion is this was true for everyone else that he took time with. He was a blessing, and I am a better man of God because he spent time with me! He has heard the father say “well done, good and faithful servant!”

Mike will b dearly missed, but his memory and legacy will live on forever! His contagious enthusiasm and love for Jesus was felt far and wide and impacted so many, including me!! My prayers are for Gods incredible peace for his precious wife and family!!
Psalm 116:15. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints !!

Our paths crossed each other several times over the years as we served in Young Life. My favorite were the years we both were in Colorado Springs and were in a fellowship group with Mike & Carol, Nancarrow’s and McCarty's. Mike knew how to be a good friend, encourager and wise counselor. So grateful for those years together.

I often would seek Mike out. He is incredibly wise and an amazing strategic thinker. I appreciated his friendliness and warm greeting.

I can’t believe how long we have been friends. From a young 30 plus year old from a precious neighbor to mentor young life leaders God gave me a gift of your friendship and love. So happy I was able to come to Canada to share an amazing vacation with you. Thanks to Steve and Mariana. I know the plans were in the works to visit you this year. I was so excited so looking forward to seeing you both and being together again. You both have left me with the most amazing memories. I will cherish them forever always . Until we meet again my sweet friend. My dear Carol May God give you comfort peace Healing ❤️‍🩹 and strength. 🙏💕😘😢🙏

You will be dearly missed Mike! I’ll never forget your generosity and heart for hearing the name of Jesus spoken. I can only imagine the sweet embrace between you and your saviour when you walked through the gates of heaven. Until we meet again!

I miss you, dear husband and best friend! See you Heaven…watch over and advocate for our family until then!

Mike O'Leary was a great man and a great friend! I was honored to have been a friend of Mike and look forward to seeing him in Glory. Mike was strong, kind, witty, gracious, faithful to the end and a profound lover of Jesus. Thank you Lord for Mike O'Leary, God's man.

When I moved from Seattle to head the Eastern Division of Young Life in 1984, I met scores of Young Life staff. Several stood out to me as outstanding--one was Mike O'Leary. His dedication to following Jesus, loving Carol and his kids, and being a leader with other staff, volunteers, committee, and kids was a model to every one around him including me. When he was asked to head Young Life of Canada, I was overjoyed. He built a solid foundation to pass on to David Thakkar. As a former President of Young Life, I am proud to say Mike was one of the finest I have worked with. He mirrored his mentor, Chuck Reinhold, in passion for Jesus Christ, and adept leadership of all who he connected with. We will miss him, but Heaven is richer today. Praying for Carol and family in this sudden, stunning loss.

I miss you, dear husband and best friend! See you Heaven…watch over and advocate for our family until then!

You were my spiritual mentor before you were my friend. You were my friend before we became family. You are my brother in many ways. To God be the glory!

I love you Dad! You will forever be in my heart, until we are together again.