Michael James Conlin

"My name is Mike Conlin and this is my obituary. This time the news of my demise has not been exaggerated and I have gone home to be with my precious Lord and Savior. I truly had a wonderful life, especially after meeting and marrying my wife, the former Pat Armstrong, in 1985, and having her four devoted and exceptional children become part of my life. I will love Pat and my family forever. I also want to express my deepest thanks to all my golfing buddies for the wonderful memories we shared on the links. Every minute together with you guys was fun and I love you all for being there when it really counted." Michael James Conlin, born June 22, 1936 in Evanston, Illinois, lost his final match, that thankfully went extra holes, to Multiple Myeloma, on January 17, 2007. Mike grew up in Arizona and had a real love for the Southwest and horses before moving to Grand Rapids during his high school years. Mike graduated from Grand Rapids Catholic Central in 1954. He served honorably in the U.S. Army in Germany during the Cold War and later studied business management. He always said he had a job since he was nine years old and that work ethic rubbed off resoundingly on those who worked with or for him. Recently Mike was Vice President - Business Operations for Non-Destructive Testing Group, headquartered in Caledonia. He loved his associates and employees and was an integral part of the company's growth. He was formerly the Director of Human Resources for the Bun Basket in Wyoming, Michigan. Over forty years of Mike's career was spent in the transportation industry, where he held various executive positions, including President of Central Michigan Trucking and Vice President of Labor Relations for Interstate Motor Freight Systems, both in Grand Rapids. He was Chairman of the Michigan Joint State Grievance Committee and Regional Vice Chairman of the American Trucking Association for the State of Michigan. Anyone who knows Mike is aware that one of his greatest passions was golf, scoring his age several times with his single digit handicap even during his illness. He was a former member of Blythefield Country Club, and Moonbrook Country Club in Jamestown, New York. He is most likely now walking a heavenly fairway with his former golfing partner, Jack Hughes, from Blythefield, who predeceased him in 1993. His passion for golf was only exceeded by his love and devotion to his Lord and his family. He will be deeply missed by his wife and best friend, Pat; his precious doggies, Rosie and Timmy; and his step-children, Michael (Kicki) Armstrong of Rye, New York, Gary (Lisa) Armstrong of Bend, Oregon, Ross (Jane) Armstrong of New Canaan, Connecticut, Angel Armstrong (Bob) Brown of Novi, Michigan; his darling, loveable step-grandchildren, Karina and Storm Armstrong, Jack and Nick Armstrong; Cameron, Kelly, Carson and Campbell Armstrong, Brady and Kacey Sheldon and Bradley and Kaylyn Brown, all of whom celebrated Mike's life at a family reunion just prior to the New Year. He is also survived by his daughter, Kathleen (Drew) Lakatos of Grand Rapids, and grandsons, Alex and Jonah; his two brothers, John (Donna) McManus of Fountain Valley, California and Robert (Kathleen) Conlin of Rio Rancho, New Mexico. A very special "thank you" to all those that helped Mike throughout his illness. For those who would like to give expressions of sympathy, Mike asked that blood donations or contributions be made in his name to the West Michigan Blood Bank, 1036 Fuller N.E., P.O. Box 1704, Grand Rapids 49501-1704; Hospice of Michigan, 1260 Ekhart St. N.E., Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503, or to the John Celestino Endowment, which provides scholarships for students pursuing careers in golf management, c/o Development Office, John Celestino Scholarship Endowment, 420 Oak Street, Prakken 101, Big Rapids, Michigan 49307. A Mass of Resurrection will be held on Tuesday, January 23, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Stephen Catholic Church. Guests are invited to visit with the family at the church an hour prior to the service. Ofield Funeral Home