Major Michael John McAuliffe
United States Air Force, Retired
December 28, 1941 – May 29, 2012
Major Michael John McAuliffe, United States Air Force, Retired, passed away from metastatic kidney cancer on May 29, 2012. He was born on December 28, 1941 in San Francisco, California to Michael Francis McAuliffe and Catherine (nee Healy) McAuliffe, both of County Cork, Ireland. He is survived by his loving wife Teri; three beloved daughters: Jennifer Ann McAuliffe, Deborah Lynn Mitchell, and Lynne Colleen Couvier; two sisters: Margaret Mary Carroll and Kathleen Louise Kelly; sons-in-law: Daran Mitchell and Jason Couvier; two adored grandsons: Jorden and Cayden Couvier; and numerous nephews and nieces.
Mike graduated from the University of San Francisco in 1963 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electronic Physics and joined the U. S. Air Force the following year. His duty assignments included George AFB, California; Lajes Field, Terceira Island, Azores, Portugal; Fort Carson and NORAD, Colorado; Templehof Central Airport, West Berlin, Germany; Barksdale AFB, Louisiana; and Camp Red Cloud, Korea. He retired from SAC’s 1st Combat Evaluation Group at Barksdale, AFB in 1985 after 21 ½ years of military service. His decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Navy Meritorious Unit Award, and several other ribbons.
Moving back to Colorado Springs in 1985, he worked for TRW (1985-1992) and then Allied Signal/Honeywell (1993-2004) where he finally retired as manager, Systems Engineering Division of the Satellite Control Network Contract.
Mike’s post-retirement years have been spent doing extensive traveling, including a dozen cruises as well as trips to numerous US cities and tourist meccas, visiting his grandsons, as well as catching up on many house and yard projects. In his leisure time he enjoyed reading (especially historical novels) and planning the next trips.
Mike had a brilliant mind, unsurpassed common sense, and the highest of ethics in all he did.
His body was donated for medical research to help find a cure for the horrible disease that snuffed out his vibrant life.
A ‘celebration of life’ will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, June 4 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1830 South Corona Street, near Southgate. A luncheon reception will follow in the church hall. Mike will be smiling on us if you would wear a color from our flag in tribute to his years of military service.
In lieu of flowers, donations could be made to the Kidney Cancer Association, Pikes Peak Hospice & Palliative Care, or the charity of your choice.