Michael James Houlihan of Traverse City, Michigan passed away April 24, 2022 following a recent hospital stay. He lived to the age of 78. He leaves behind his beloved widow Margaret "Peggy" Hackley, four children from his first marriage to Wendy Houlihan: Meghan Houlihan, Kathleen (Jim) Larsen, Peter (Allie) Houlihan and Alice (Aaron) Spreitzer, two stepsons, Charles "Chuck" (Caroline) Carman and Carl Carman, eight grandchildren and one step-grandson as well as his treasured Bernese Mountain Dogs, Toby and Buster.
Michael was raised in Saginaw. He attended Shimer College in Illinois, and the University of Michigan for law school. He moved to Traverse City in 1970, spending the better part of his life at "Kelly Hill" on Old Mission Peninsula. There he loved admiring the beauty of the cherry orchards while enjoying a cup of coffee, reading his favorite science fiction or mystery books and sailing the lakes. Much to the delight of his family and friends, he took up gourmet cooking as a hobby and was always keen to prepare food for visitors (human as well as canine). Michael was an avid sailor who took his duties seriously as Commodore of the Harbor Bay Yacht club. He spent his summers outside gardening, tending to his fruit trees and his winters woodworking. He retired from his life's work as a lawyer in 2017 to enjoy time with his wife.
He was preceded in death by his parents Jim and Trina (Grant) Houlihan and younger sister Molly Allen of Troy.
A visitation will be held for Mike on Thursday, May 5, 2022 from 11am to 1pm at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy or the Father Fred Foundation. Kindly share thoughts and memories of Mike with his family at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com .