Michael Edmund Kirrane

With both sorrow and hope in the promise of eternal life, we announce the passing of Michael Edmund Kirrane Sr., who entered into the presence of the Lord on March 11, 2026, at the age of 84.Michael was born on March 2, 1942, in Altrincham, Cheshire, England, to Michael and Margaret Kirrane, whose roots traced back to County Mayo, Ireland. Proud of his Irish heritage and grateful for the opportunities of his adopted homeland, Michael carried both identities with deep pride throughout his life.

He attended De La Salle College in Salford, England, and began his career with the General Post Office while studying telecommunications at night school. Through determination and study, Michael became an Electrical Engineer, beginning a long and accomplished career in telecommunications and electronics.

With courage and ambition, Michael immigrated to the United States on October 3, 1963, first settling in Chicago where he began working for Bell. His professional career would span decades and include work with Motorola, Mountain Bell, Honeywell, and Fujitsu.

Michael moved to Colorado in 1971, a place that would become home for much of his life. His work later took him to California, where he continued with Fujitsu before eventually returning to Colorado in 1990.A man of remarkable intellect and curiosity, Michael loved mathematics, electronics, teaching, and tutoring others. He was part of a team that helped develop early ultrasound technology—an advancement that would one day play a role in saving the life of his own great-granddaughter.

Michael’s life was also marked by compassion and courage. On June 5, 1977, while driving in the mountains with his family, he noticed a teenage boy who had been struck by lightning. Without hesitation, Michael rushed to the boy’s side and performed CPR until the young man’s life was restored. For his heroic actions that day, he was honored with a Good Samaritan Award.Michael had a strong interest in politics and civic life and even ran for Centennial City Council in the early 2000s. Yet his greatest passion was his faith and his service to others.

In 1992, Michael met the love of his life, Tanis, while out dancing on a Saturday evening. The next morning he served as a lector for the first time at church. Their shared faith became the foundation of their life together, and they were married in 1994.From 1990 until his passing, Michael was a faithful member of St. Thomas More Catholic Parish, where he served as lector coordinator, a Eucharistic minister, and a devoted member of the parish community. His faith in Jesus Christ was the center of his life, guiding the way he loved his family, served his parish, and spoke kindly of everyone he encountered.

Michael loved America deeply and was grateful for the life he built here. He also cherished travel and adventure—backpacking across Europe in his younger years, cruising to Alaska, visiting the Holy Land in Israel, and returning often to England and Ireland. At home, he enjoyed teaching others, discussing politics, watching the Smithsonian Channel and news programs, and cooking his beloved barbecue chicken for family gatherings.

Above all, Michael loved his family. He is survived by his beloved wife, Tanis Kirrane; his sons Michael Kirrane Jr. and Tommy Kirrane; his stepchildren Shannon and Dirk; his grandchildren Nicole, Amanda, Michael, Martin, and Nathan; and his great-grandchildren Donovan, Kaitlyn, Jordan, Jeremiah, Jade, Tobie, and Aspen. He is also survived by his siblings Mary Catherine Tadros, John Christopher Kirrane, Sheila Marian Kirrane-Wright, Aidan Kirrane, and Mark Kirrane.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Michael and Margaret Kirrane; his beloved son James Patrick Kirrane; and his sister Margaret Ellen McConville.

Michael leaves behind a legacy of faith, courage, intellect, and kindness. His life reminds us that greatness is found not only in accomplishments, but in the way a person loves God, serves others, and believes in the goodness of people.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Thomas More Catholic Parish or to organizations supporting Parkinson’s disease research.

Though we mourn his passing, we rejoice in the promise that he now rests in the peace of Christ. His wisdom, humor, and unwavering faith will continue to guide and inspire all who knew and loved him.

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