In your charity, please commend to the Mercy of God Michael J. Sheridan, who died on January 6, 2017 at 58 years of age.
Michael was born May 9, 1958, in Omaha Nebraska, the second child and oldest son of Dick and Claudia Sheridan. In time, the family grew to include five daughters and five sons.
His parents claimed him for Christ through Baptism at Holy Angeles Church, Omaha, on May 18, 1958. He first received Jesus in Holy Communion in May 1965 and was confirmed in the Holy Spirit in 1966. On March 5, 2004, he made his definitive promise in the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites.
The heart of his home was his wife, Barbara. They married June 21, 1986, at St. Joseph Church, Hopkins, MN. The delight of his eyes was his son, Luke. Both survive him.
When Michael and Barbara moved to Helena in 1996, they found their home in the Cathedral Parish. Each volunteered in various ways. Michael also was blessed to serve on the St. Andrew School Board, including several years as Chairman.
Michael and his siblings grew up on Omaha, with a brief interlude (1967-70) in northern Virginia. He graduated from the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN, in December 1980. He earned the degree Doctor of Laws at William Mitchell College of Law in 1987. Between college and law school, he worked as a youth minister at St. Joseph’s Church, Hopkins, MN. In 1994, he was made Master of Arts (Political Science) at Duke University.
From 1987 until his death, Michael worked as an attorney at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. In recent years, he particularly enjoyed his work on intercountry adoptions, especially relating to implementation of the Convention on this topic, ratified by President George W. Bush in December 2007. The happiest times were when he could help resolve a difficult legal issue in a way that supported approval of a case.
He is also survived by his siblings: Mary (John) Zak, Kate Kilcoyne, Joe (Jennifer) Sheridan, Steve (Peggy) Sheridan, Matt Sheridan, Claudia (Pat) Samland, Marty (Cindy) Sheridan, Bridget (Mark) DeLeo, and Sara (Mike) Richwine; and Barbara’s siblings: Esther (Claude) Piantadosi, Bob (Ginny) Johnson, Mary (Brian) Cunningham and Terri Flack.
Additional survivors include his aunts Tess Hewitt and Mary Clare Sheridan and his uncle Mark Scobey, and many cousins, nephews, nieces, grandnephews and grandnieces. He loved them all, but particularly close to his heart was Mary Piantadosi.
His father and mother, his uncles John Hewitt and Tom Sheridan, his aunts Mary Ellen Korbe and Alice Scobey, and his nephew Luke Zak predeceased him. So, also, did his dear friend, Mariano Listo.
Late in life, Michael was blessed by Dr. Robert LaClair and the nurses and staff of the dialysis clinic at St. Peter’s Hospital. Dr. Tom Weiner also provided much support.
Visitation will begin at the Cathedral Church of St. Helena on Thursday, January 12, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. The Vigil for the Dead (with Reception at the Church) will be at 6:00 p.m.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the Cathedral on Friday, January 13, 2017 at noon. A funeral lunch will then be served in the Cathedral’s Brondel Center following the service. Burial will follow the luncheon at Resurrection Cemetery.
Memorials may be sent to St. Andrew School, PO Box 231, Helena, MT 59624-0231 or to the St Helena Cathedral Foundation Helena MT 59601. Please visit www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Michael.
“Men must endure their going hence,” counseled Edgar in Shakespeare’s King Lear. But by the merits of the Holy Cross, our merciful and loving God redeems even this.
Service Schedule
Visitation
5:00 p.m.
Thursday January 12, 2017
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing St.
Helena, Montana 59601
Vigil
6:00 p.m.
Thursday January 12, 2017
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Friday January 13, 2017
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Reception
After the service
Friday January 13, 2017
Brondel Center of the Cathedral
530 N. Ewing
Helena, Montana 59601
Rite of Committal
After the reception
Friday January 13, 2017
Resurrection Cemetery
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Visitation
5:00 p.m.
Thursday January 12, 2017
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing St.
Helena, Montana 59601
Vigil
6:00 p.m.
Thursday January 12, 2017
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Friday January 13, 2017
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Reception
After the service
Friday January 13, 2017
Brondel Center of the Cathedral
530 N. Ewing
Helena, Montana 59601
Rite of Committal
After the reception
Friday January 13, 2017
Resurrection Cemetery
Helena, Montana 59602
Share
Steve Yeakel says
A most wonderful and amazing fellow. Spirited in suffering. So honored to count him as a good friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with Barbara and Luke.
Mary McGonigal Duede says
Truly thankful for this soul! He ministered to my parents brining them Holy Communion each week for several years and served as a wonderful example for others to follow. Thoughts and prayers for Mike and his family.
Peggy Fine says
Oh barbara I am so sorry for your loss. There are no words to express how I feel. Please give my Luke a hug from mrs. Fine. I will not be able to attend service as I am having health problems. Please know that I was blessed by you and Michael and especially my Luke. My prayers are with you and your family. Sending my love. Jesus is saying ” well done good and faithful servant”
Erica Simpson says
I’ve worked with Michael for about 8 years. From my very earliest interactions, it was clear that Michael was a man of great intellect and kindness. I came to know him as not only the keeper of history and dispenser of wisdom, but a friend who always had a ready ear and approached all things with humor and grace. My life is richer for having the privilege of Michael’s counsel and friendship. I wish peace and love to his family and all who mourn.
Peter Rosenstock says
I met and worked with Michael at USCIS on and off since around 2001 and at that time and years afterward on issues having to do with inter-country adoptions. This was an area of work we were both very interested in and I easily and fondly recall the very many cases where I sought his ready assistance. He was able to render the complex and murky into a clear and well defined path forward and nearly always with positive results for all concerned. Although we worked most of the time remote fro one another I also remember this few occasions where our paths crossed, and what a kind erudite gentleman and he was. I will be forever grateful to have met and worked with Michael and wish his family those who will miss him the peace and love he leaves between us.
Dawn Slaven says
I worked with Michael on immigration parole issues, among others, and he was always a pleasure to work with. His fellow USCIS colleagues have lost a brilliant legal mind, but his legacy will live on. My deepest condolences to his loved ones.
Monica Vignier says
I worked with Michael at USCIS for the past two years! Since he and I covered a lot of the same legal topics, I have to say I was super nervous and intimidated to work with such a great legal mind. He has such an amazing reputation for being able to figure out even the thorniest of legal issues!!! Fortunately, I had a lot of opportunities to work with him over this brief time and I truly benefited from his vast knowledge of immigration law! He was always so patient with me as I asked question upon question, some of which I know must have sounded so silly to him! And Michael was always so willing to help me and literally everyone on pretty much any topic under the sun, always with his amazing sense of humor. His passing is a tremendous loss to our legal program, to DHS, and to the immigration law community! My sincere condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult time.
Mary Kay Bennett says
Barb & Luke:
I watched Michael at church on Sundays as Luke served Mass..he would proudly watch his son with such loving eyes.
He always touched my heart. Every time. ?
I feel heartbroken and can only imagine what you both are
feeling.
We’re in Arizona for the winter, but I will catch up with both of you when we get home.
??????mk
Brian Kelliher says
Michael was a giant among immigration lawyers in DHS. His knowledge was encyclopedic, his intellect razor sharp, and his passion for supporting his clients and getting the right answer unwavering over decades of distinguished service to DHS, the Department of Justice, and the country. Michael was a superb lawyer, with a refreshing wit. He carried a gentle, humble demeanor, while dazzling his colleagues and clients with his quick, spot-on analysis and his recall for even the most obscure historical facet of immigration law and policy. And it was always clear that he cared deeply not only about getting the law right, but also about the families who were seeking an opportunity to come to or remain in the United States. I’ll miss him dearly as a extraordinary colleague. Please accept my sincere condolences. Wishing you peace and solace in this difficult time.
John Curry says
Good bye, old friend. please pray for me.
Mary Zak says
Michael, your last words to me were, “Mary, why do you grieve? I am about to see the Glory of His Face!” Please Mike pray for all our loved ones especially those who have strayed…I love you, Mike.