Michael Francis George

Michael Francis George, 63, lovingly known by his family as “Big Mike” and in the U.S. Virgin Islands as “Mandahl Mike”, was a college football star at Southern University (winning kick at the Bayou Classic), an outstanding soccer player at Marquette University High School (Hall of Fame Team) and further educated at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee and Holy Angels Grade School.

Michael was born at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on June 15, 1959. He joined his ancestors in Mandahl, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands on January 2, 2023, at his home.

His parents are Horace Raymond George of Grand Ecore and Audrey Mae Chevalier George of Cane River Isle Brevelle, both in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana.

Michael leaves to honor his memory his children Michelle Rene (Lisa and daughter Toni) and Michael Ray (Kelly), his mother, Audrey Chevalier George, his siblings Gary (Patricia), Janice and Mark, with his brother Gregory and father Horace Raymond, preceding him in transition.

Michael has been a great support to his Mother, 94 this May. He also leaves behind many dear nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends, all who knew him and Michael loved. Also, left mourn to him are devoted friend Nella Niles and Leasure Flemming, previous wife.

Michael enjoyed the culture and traditions of Milwaukee (the Packers and Bucks and Brewers included), Louisiana (including the great food) and northern Caribbean Islands (every year he could attending Carnival). He loved to boat and work on his houses. He treasured his cars, especially his BMWs and Mercedes. He was a “sharp dressed man”, like his Dad.

Michael’s faith was practiced in the Roman Catholic Church and the Baptist Church.

Michael was successful in business and finance, focused on real estate, always with his traditional independence and self-reliance.

Michael cherished his children Michelle Rene and Michael Ray. Both enjoyed successful soccer careers with his full support. Michelle played four years at Marquette University.

As a lifelong learner, we encourage a donation to any educational institution in his memory.

Michael’s inheritance of African, Creole, Caddo Nation, French, English, Scottish and Irish ancestors was important to him. He strongly identified with his unknown ancestors of greater Benin and the Ewe of Ghana and Togo in Africa who survived the Middle Passage.

“Soul is to heaven, body to earth” (Kemet Book of the Dead)

French is the language of Benin: ”Qu’il repose en paix”

Dearest Michael, father, son, brother, friend, your name will not be forgotten. Rest in peace.

Visitation will be held for Michael in Milwaukee on Tuesday, January 31, 2023, from 10:00am until the time of Mass at 11:30am, all at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 1927 North Vel R. Phillips Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A repast will immediately follow the Mass in the St. Francis of Assisi Parish Center.

Michael Francis George Eulogy by Gary George

(31 January 2023)

To Father Michael, to Michael Francis's family and friends, all those present in this church today dedicated to Saint Francis of Assisi… greetings all.

As I look down from this lectern to the nave of this historic church before me, I can almost hear Michael say… it's too cold… I should be in the Virgin Islands now! That would be our most sincere wish… as we gather to celebrate the life of Michael Francis George today.

As you can see in the program, Michael was a very cute baby 63 years ago... and a handsome man six months ago.

In the span of his life as time marched on, his father was the foundation his life was built on. He was his father's legacy. Like his dad, Michael would drive across the country - from Wisconsin to Florida, from Florida to Washington DC, from Louisiana to Texas and even to California.

When he was on the road, often by himself, he maintained connections with family, friends, loved ones all. Those connections meant so much to him.

His business successes were a product of the educational standards set by his father and mother. Their investment in their son Michael Francis at Holy Angels and Marquette University High School gave him the intellectual tools to lead a dream life in so many ways.

The educational legacy from his mother led him to her first college - Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Approximately 30 years prior, his mother left Southern during her first year because Mike's maternal grandmother Elizabeth said she came back too skinny. But he returned, representing her, and became a football star as a kicker there, winning the big game in the Bayou Classic.

Mike loved Louisiana and Texas. He met Leasure there, who gave him Michelle and Michael Ray, his children.

The legacy he passes on to them is one of education, hard work, self-reliance, financial responsibility and independence. “Big Mike”, we called him. And that was for good reason.

Like his parents and siblings, he suffered the stain of racism all black people know in this country.

But nothing stopped Big Mike, to his last day - having just spent time on his boat in the beautiful ocean by his property on Saint Croix, US Virgin Islands.

His last days saw him in December of 2022 at the wedding of Michael Ray and Kelly - celebrated with his beloved daughter Michelle and his siblings, minus our missing man Gregory. What a special day in a beautiful villa overlooking the ocean by Saint Thomas that wedding was.

As he often did, Michael had recently visited his soon to be 94-year-old mother here in Milwaukee.

“Mommy”, he still called her…

His mother – our mother - suffers from the ravages of Alzheimer's. But while her communication with us is limited, we often hear her at night talking and singing to loved ones - her favorite sister Marie, her favorite son Gregory… and now her favorite son Michael - and of course her only husband Ray. She knows Michael is gone from this earth, as we do. it is just so hard to accept the suddenness and the finality.

2000 years ago, the Roman Catholic Church established traditions we follow today to honor those we lost. We do so today with the help of Father Mike.

Those traditions, based on Judaism, linked 1300 years ago to the birth of Islam and 500 years ago to the Protestant Reformation, are there because we seek answers for the pain and loss we feel today with the transition of a son, our brother, your dad, your relation, your friend.

Michael Francis George joined the ancestors January 2nd past, but we search to keep his memory alive, his name alive.

An ancient land by the Nile called Kemet, now Egypt, founded thousands of years ago, relied on the Book of the Dead to process the passing from this life of Pharaohs and the people alike. We do so today.

“Soul is to heaven, body to earth.”

“Soul is to heaven, body to earth.” Michael’s soul is to heaven… his body to earth.

It is time for me to say goodbye for now, my dearest brother Michael Francis. It hurts to do so, as you were so full of life so short a time ago.

While we know not all the secrets of our universe, we yearn to see our loved ones and ancestors again. We want to be with you, Michael. Until then, may you rest in peace.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Michael Francis George, please visit our floral store.