In Memory of Michael R. McCool
Michael Ralph McCool, age 61, of Edgewater, Florida passed away at his home in Edgewater. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, February 17th at Strike Funeral Home – Cambridge Chapel with Pastor Jonathan Larson officiating. A time for visiting will be held one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in North Isanti Baptist Cemetery.
Michael Ralph McCool was born November 16, 1947 in Washington D.C. to Ollon and Alice (Martinez) McCool. Michael spent much of his life in the D.C. metropolitan area, where he distinguished himself as a successful salesman, first with Pitney Bowes during the 1970’s and then with Xerox in the 1980’s. He retired on disability to Florida in 2002. Michael remained passionate throughout his life about golfing and music. Despite a physical disability caused by a motorcycle accident in his youth, Michael was a competitive golfer, participating and winning many local tournaments. Michael spent several years in Los Angeles pursuing various musical endeavors in the rhythm and blues arena, before returning to Springfield, Virginia. Music remained an important part of his life. His faithful and devoted friend, Layla, a golden lab, died with him in the fire.
Michael McCool died in a fire at his home in Edgewater, Florida on February 5, 2009 at the age of 61 years, 2 months and 20 days. He was preceded in death by his father, Ollon, in 2008.
Michael is survived by his mother, Alice McCool of Cambridge, MN, four siblings: Patricia Greene of Buffalo, NY, Melissa (Roger) Deneen of Cambridge, MN, Colleen McCool of Arlington, Virginia, and Kevin McCool of Silver Spring, Maryland, many nieces and nephews, good friends and great neighbors.
I have known Mike since 1969 when we both worked together at Pitney Bowes in sales. I had only seen Mike once in the last 10 or so years, in March of 2007 on my drive back to Virginia from Miami. We went out to dinner at a restaurant on the water not far from his house. We had a great time catching up. When Mike lived up in the DC area we did many things together to include 2 golf trips: to Ireland and Scotland and then we would end up in London the last part of the trips to see some shows, drink a few Guiness’ in the many pubs in London and get into trouble, something Mike was always good at!! (-: I’ll never forget after playing a round of golf at Wentworth, an exclusive country club outside of London, when Mike and I walked into the bar for a post round drink, the bartendar had to pull Mike aside to ask him to remove his golf shoes and hat as the British are veddy proper you know! Mike was a great golfer despite his right arm handicap.
Mike certainly loved playing golf and tending to his dog and his tropical fish. He was very close to my two now grown daughters Ashley and Reagan.
Mike will be missed. My heartfelt condolences to the family. Dave Endres
I met Mike in 1974 shortly after I started working for Pitney Bowes. I soon discovered he loved to gamble on cards and golf. As these were two of my passions we soon developed a friendship and I found a source of spending money. Mike always surprised me with his knowledge of music and recording artists. The guitar was one of his great loves and from my understanding he kept up with his music throughout his life. While I had not seen Mile since he moved to Florida he had a personality one would not soon forget. He will be missed. Bob Seeley
I met Mike in 1977 when I was thinking about a career in sales. I hadn’t even heard of Pitney Bowes but a friend said she had just bought a postage meter from this salesman named Mike McCool from Pitney Bowes who was a bit of a character! but a lot of fun and she would put in a good word for me. Mike followed up with me and helped me learn about postage meters enough for me to fake it through an interview and get the job! He also got a finder’s fee for me which I found out about later! I stayed with Pitney Bowes for 7 years and have been in sales ever since then, so I owe it all to Mike. I found Mike to be a charismatic and fun person who was never boring. And I will remember fondly the many lunches we used to have at the Tombs in Georgetown with Mike, Bob, Dave and Al. I lost touch with Mike over the years, but I will always remember him for his spirit and charismatic (and dramatic!) personality.
Mike and Layla would visit us at Peggy’s Country Kitchen in Edgewater, Fl and discuss the problems of the world. Mike loved to golf and these past surgerys to his shoulders kept him from doing what he loved. Mike kept us amused with his hospital and Layla adventures. We came across a plaque that awarded Mike for making a hole-in-one, a tremendous accomplishment by any standards. I did not know Mike and Layla long, but what I do know is he was a kind and loyal friend and we will all miss him very much. Our lives touch so many people and I feel fortunate that mine knew Mike. Our prayers and thoughts go out to Mike’s Family and Friends.