Michael “Deacon Mike” was the youngest of eight children born to Earl and Amelia Gesch in Detroit on November 21, 1946. His parents and siblings preceded him in death. Mike graduated from Our Lady of Mount Carmel High School in Wyandotte, MI and entered the United States Navy in San Diego, CA. He trained as a Radioman with top secret clearance and was assigned to the USS Porterfield. During his military service, he received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with One Bronze Star, and the Good Conduct Medal.
Upon discharge from the military, Mike returned home to Wyandotte, MI and later married Judy, his wife of 53 years (and fellow high school classmate.) He attended Wayne State University four nights a week for seven years majoring in Marketing while working a 40+ work week at Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, MI. Prior to moving to Austin, to work on First City Center, an Austin project, he worked on the Renaissance Center in Detroit. Mike was a Commercial Real Estate Broker in Texas for thirty plus years and specialized in Property Management.
A brief time after joining St. John Neumann, in 1984, Mike served on the Finance Council. Shortly afterwards, the pastor, Fr. Patrick Zurek, approached Mike and encouraged him to consider exploring the Diaconate since the new class #49 was forming. He discerned his vocation and was Ordained to the Permanent Diaconate by the late Bishop John McCarthy on June 13,1998.
He loved his work in the Diaconate and often visited the homebound and members of the Summit- Brookdale, Querencia, Gaines Ranch, and Belmont Village communities bringing Holy Communion, visiting, and praying with them. At the Diocesan level, Mike served on the Deacon Aspirant Review Panel, and as a Deacon Mentor.
An original Charter member of KOC 10836, he served two terms as Grand Knight and as a District Deputy. During this time, Fr. Jim Evans, approached Mike to help him form a K of C Council at his parish in Dripping Springs. Sir Knight Michael was a fourth degree Knight of Council 10836 and a member of the Bishop Reicher Assembly.
In 2014, Mike was going to take a break from the Diaconate and found himself called to serve on the Stewardship Committee at St. Thomas More in Austin. He also collaborated with the pastor and staff on the Columbarium Phase II, later becoming the Columbarium Coordinator.
Mike enjoyed family time, big holiday family dinners, a good baseball game, and cruising. Mike is survived by his wife, Judy; two daughters, Toni, and Phyllis; grandson Zach and son in law Sean
A visitation for Michael will be held Monday, December 13, 2021 starting at 6:00 PM with he recitation of the holy rosary to begin at 7:00 PM at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 5455 Bee Cave Road, West Lake Hills, Texas 78746. A mass of the resurrection will occur Tuesday, December 14, 2021 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at St. John Neumann Catholic Church.
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