Michael Francis Geary

Michael Francis Geary reposed peacefully on July 18, 2022. He was 98 years old and was born on August 1, 1923 in County Waterford, Ireland. He was the youngest of 10 children born to Michael and Hannah Geary. Michael survived all his siblings who included Mary Ellen, Jo (Johannah), John, Nora, Rita, Bree, Kathleen, Neil. And Chris (Christina).

Michael has many nephews, nieces, as well as grand nephews and grand nieces with whom he remained in contact.

He immigrated to the United States on November 25, 1947 to pursue owning his own business. While he left his native land at the age of 24, he never forgot his roots, his culture or his Catholic faith. The intimate bonds of human friendship were the trademark of his life. His love for family and friends was never betrayed and never waned.

In June 1948, he was conscripted for service in the United States Army and became a surgical technician during his posting in Japan. His love for Japan and its people endured throughout his entire life. He was discharged from the service in December 1949. The anguish he felt in losing so many of his comrades in the Korean Conflict stayed with him. He remained in the Reserves for five years but was never called to active duty.

He met his future wife Mary in 1951 at a dance in New York. The rest of his life was devoted to her. He recalled that it was “love at first site” and they married in 1953. Mary supported wholeheartedly his desire to open his own business. Reflecting upon his life, Michael wrote, “when her father questioned her if I was making the right decision, Mary’s answer to her father was if Michael is making that decision it is the right decision.”

His business building combustion chambers in large commercial boilers was immediately successful. His wife Mary was always at his side, helping take care of the administrative areas of the business. In June 1955, Michael and Mary welcomed their first child Diane who brought great joy to their lives. Denis and Michelle would make their family complete.

Michael’s life however was not without sorrow and suffering. He survived each of his children, Denis, Diane, and Michelle. After 56 years of marriage, his beloved Mary reposed in 2009. As a man of faith, Michael endured the pain of these losses and never lost his undaunting spirit.

In facing his own mortality, Michael meticulously planned for every eventuality so as not to burden his family and friends. In his last days, he was comforted by the fact that he would be reunited with Mary and his children as well as his many friends who pre-deceased him. Whether in service to his country, his church, his friends, or his family, Michael was a man of virtue who taught others by his actions rather than words. We will miss him but we are confident he will hear the voice of his Savior call him, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” (Matthew 25:21)

A visitation for Michael will be held Saturday, July 30, 2022 from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM at St. Jerome Catholic Church, 10895 Hamlin Blvd, Largo, FL 33774. A funeral service will occur Saturday, July 30, 2022 from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM at St. Jerome's Catholic Church, 10895 Hamlin Blvd, Largo, FL 33774. A committal service will occur Saturday, July 30, 2022 from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM at Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 5233 118th Ave N., Clearwater, FL 33760.