Michael Hooley

Michael Edward Hooley - beloved husband, devoted father and grandfather, and friend to many - passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on January 30th. Mike was born in Buffalo, New York into a loving Irish Catholic family of 8 children. His life changed forever when he met his soulmate on St. Patrick's Day 1964, the love of his life Suzanne (Murdough) Hooley. Mike and Sue married in 1966 and shared an incredible 57-year journey raising 4 beautiful children, Patty, Mike, Shannon, and Sheila.

After serving as an office manager of Cottrell Ford in West Seneca, New York, Mike made the bold decision to uproot the family and head to Plantation, Florida in 1980 to pursue a new opportunity at Luke Bolton Ford (now Plantation Ford). Mike saved every penny and eventually became the owner of Plantation Ford and the neighboring Plantation Nissan Volvo (now Weston Nissan and Weston Volvo Cars).

Mike was nothing short of a legend in the car business and an example of the American Dream. An energetic and inspiring leader, dealership employees, auto industry executives, and local business leaders alike gravitated to Mike for guidance and friendship. Mike served as Chair of the South Florida Ford Dealers Advertising Fund for over a decade, as President of the South Florida Auto-Truck Dealers Association, as Chair of the Gateway 7 District, and as a member of the national dealer advisory boards of Ford, Nissan, and Volvo.

Mike had a special gift for connecting with people from all walks of life. If Mike was in the room, you wanted to be near his side - the twinkle in his eye, his brilliant wit and intellect, and his warm Irish spirit were undeniable. When you were with Mike, he was your biggest fan - he made you feel like the most important person in the world.

Mike devoted his life to his dealership businesses, but most of all to his loving family, including Patty and Kurt (Zimmerman), Mike and Yvette (Campos), Shannon, Sheila, and his 13 precious grandchildren: Conor, Ryan, Skylar, Sophia, Kathryn, Evie, Mick, Suzie, Jack, Bridget, Lindsey (in heaven), Ellie and Vivi. Family gatherings at home, aboard the Hooleygan, or at Bonefish Bay in the Florida Keys were where Mike was at his best.

We will miss Mike terribly, but we know that his memory and values will live on forever through each of us.

A memorial mass will be held at 10 am on Friday, February 3rd at Saint Anthony Church, 901 NE Second Street, Fort Lauderdale.

In lieu of flowers, Mike's family requests that donations in his memory be made to the Community Foundation of Broward, 910 E. Las Olas Boulevard, Suite 200, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301, where funds will be distributed in support of ALS research and treatment. You can make the donation