Michael Reedy
OBITUARY
Michael Gannon Reedy passed away at home in San Jose on March 6, surrounded by a family that loved him deeply. The enormity of our loss is equal only to the depth of our love for him.
Michael was born in Chicago to Roger and Mary Kay (Gannon) Reedy. He grew up in a lively and energetic Irish Catholic family with five brothers and two sisters. The family relocated to Los Gatos CA in 1976. Although he lived for most of his adult life in California, Chicago always had a special place in his heart.
Michael attended Stanford University, graduating in 1979. After graduation, Michael lived in San Francisco, where he had the good fortune to fall in love with Barbara Dolcini. From the moment he met her, he knew she was “the one,” a feeling that endured throughout their time together. Together they built a life, first in San Francisco, where Michael completed Night Law School at USF while working full time during the day. They eventually settled in San Jose, where Michael practiced Family Law for 30+ years. Their three children were born along the way – their son Gannon (Michaela), daughter Kiely, and son Raymond.
Throughout his career, Michael practiced with kindness toward his clients, and with a deep reverence for the law and its positive impact on people’s lives. To quote one of his friends, “Michael was a great lawyer – brilliant and deeply respected in the legal community.” Michael served as President of the Honorable William A. Ingram American Inn of Court of Santa Clara County and was a great mentor to law students and young lawyers. He touched many legal lives with his love and service. Community service was also important to Michael. He served as President of the Board of St. Francis High School, exhibiting the same kind of generous leadership shown in his legal career. His service was recognized and celebrated, most notably by the St. Thomas More Society of Santa Clara County.
To try to describe Michael requires many words, which is appropriate since Michael was a skilled writer. He was beloved, sweet, kind, funny, tenacious, curious, passionate, careful, thorough, deeply spiritual, irreverent, and joyful. He loved Barbara and his children, his five brothers and two sisters — Kevin (Lynn), John (Celeste), Marcy (Alan), Brian (Lily – d.), Annie, Roger Jr. (May), and David. He is also survived by his cousin Ray Carney (Jan), with whom he shared a special bond. He was a cherished brother-in-law to Barbara’s family, and a wonderful uncle to numerous nieces and nephews.
Michael was a true and loyal friend. He loved golf (an understatement), the law, a good book, the theater, music, the 49ers (a true Niners fan, he was present for “the Catch”), the Warriors, and Winning. It is safe to say that his was a life well-lived, leaving behind a legacy of goodness and love. We will miss him every day.
The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to Dee Niucavu for her kind and compassionate care for Michael during his illness.
A gathering to celebrate Michael’s life will be held in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Saint Francis High School Scholarship endowment in memory of Michael Reedy.