Michael Paul Holdsworth

Born in Westfield, New York on July 18, 1950, Mike overcame many adversities during his early life. A 1968 graduate of Academy High School in Erie, Mike went on to study at Penn State, later transferring to THE Ohio State University to complete his bachelor’s degree in accounting. He built a successful career as an accountant, taking on increasing levels of responsibility at Grant Medical Center in Columbus and Deaconess Hospital in Cincinnati, before moving West to work at Phoenix Memorial Hospital in Arizona. Mike enjoyed early retirement from California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco, but continued to work as an independent consultant for many years in California and Tennessee, dedicating much of his life’s work to the financial operations of hospital systems providing care to underserved communities.

In addition to his leadership and hard-working nature, Mike will be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor, infectious laugh, easy going approach to life, and kind heart. He loved traveling with his family and friends and was always up for a big adventure. Everyone that Mike touched throughout his life seems to have cherished memories and stories that serve as a private connection to him as he often kept these fondly to himself over the years. Mike was a loving father and was most proud of his two daughters and the lives that they built. He instilled them both with lifelong values of education, perseverance, and humility. Some of his happiest moments were spent with his five grandsons at the beach. During the last two years of his life, Mike was surrounded by his family in Raleigh, North Carolina, enjoying birthday parties, going to soccer games, sharing dinners together, taking walks with his daughters, and playing with his grandsons. His daughters will forever treasure this time with “Papa” as he is still affectionately called by his grandsons.

Mike is survived by his loving daughters and sons-in-law, Maureen and Kevin Bowman and Liz and Tom La, five grandsons, Everett, Hudson, Noah, Elliott, and Robbie, as well as his three sisters, Charlotte, Brenda, and Linda. He leaves beyond many dear and lifelong friends, including Mary Holdsworth, Mike Wonderly, Drew Botschner, Mindy Muenich, and John Shultz, and beloved caregivers, Lori Gunty and Sister Madeleine. He is preceded in death by his infant son, Benjamin Mitchell Holdsworth, parents, Milford Simon and Doris Louise (Himebaugh) Holdsworth, and brother, Milford Vincent Holdsworth, Sr.

Mike will be deeply missed by all, but we take comfort in knowing that he is truly at peace with the angels. Friends and family are invited to share their memories of Mike to help honor his legacy. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes contributions to Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org) or Dementia Alliance of North Carolina (dementianc.org) in his memory.

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