Michael Thomas Roumell

He was born on June 3, 1954, in Detroit, Michigan to Thomas and Dorothy (Meyers) Roumell. From a young age, Mike was known to be a deeply loyal friend, a doting son and an alluringly mischievous student.

Mike earned his bachelor’s degree from The University of Michigan and went on to business and law school at The University of Detroit Mercy. Mike met his husband, Geoffrey Kemp, in April of 1985 and the two shared more than forty wonderful years together full of adventure. Their love story took them across the globe from Greece to Kenya and countless destinations in between. Yet Mike never lost sight of the fact that the greatest adventure of all was the life he and Geoff built together at home - one filled with family, friends and more than a few eventful dinner parties. They were officially married on July 19, 2023.

Mike built a long and successful career as a labor lawyer in Chicago. After more than thirty years practicing law, Mike and Geoff sought a calmer pace of life and relocated to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. But for those who knew him, it’s no surprise that retirement did not come naturally to Mike. He soon began a “retirement career” in real estate with Coldwell Banker, embracing a new chapter with the same energy and enthusiasm he brought to everything he did.

To know Mike was to love Mike. His charisma and charm could be felt the moment he entered the room. And as a deeply social person, Mike loved bringing people together. He and Geoff were known to be wonderful hosts who delighted in opening their home to family and friends and making every gathering special. Mike loved to laugh and had an exceptional gift for storytelling. He could turn any experience into a tale that kept everyone enthralled and entertained.

Above all else, Mike cherished his family. He took great joy in being surrounded by the people he loved, and his grandchildren held a particularly special place in his heart. Being Papou to Edie, Alex, Henrik, and Ari brought him a sense of happiness and pride unlike any other in his life. Mike was just as likely to jump on a plane for trick-or-treating or school plays as he was to visit “The Kids” simply because he didn’t want to miss a single moment. He was known by them for his boundless energy for imaginative play, his larger-than-life childhood stories (like the time he ordered pizzas to the principal’s house!), and - of course - for his famous peanut butter pie.

Mike will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. He will be lovingly remembered by his husband, Geoff Kemp; his children, Loren (David Cohen) Roumell, Theodore (Kelsey Reed Armbruster) Roumell, and Cassy (Ryan Anderson) Roumell; his grandchildren, Edie, Alex, Henrik, and Ari; and siblings he connected with later in life: Jeffrey Houton, Elizabeth Houton, Alexander Houton (Rosela Moseng), and Robert Condie (Louise). In addition, Mike leaves behind dear cousins, nieces, nephews, and many lifelong friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Dorothy (Meyers) Roumell and birth mother, Emily Houton.

In keeping with Mike’s wishes, private cremation services will take place. A celebration of his life will be held on Friday, November 20th, 2026, at 11:00 am at Harry J. Will Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Mike’s honor to one of the following: Lambda Legal or Alzheimer's Association.