Mike was an avid hunter and fisherman, loved all things aviation and was a pushover for any dog. He was a great friend, brother, husband and son, but Mike’s favorite role in life was as a father to Caitlin. He was in his element as a dad, from helping Caitlin move to joining her for concerts and nights out. He was always happy to be in the company of his “doll” no matter what the activity.

Mike was a valued friend and along with his sarcastic sense of humor, he made everyone felt seen and heard. As a brother, he was the quiet backbone of the family, always ready to show up and help his mom at a moment’s notice. He was also always down for a good time with his siblings. He and his late wife Lynda created a beautiful, welcoming home and friends and family loved spending time there.

In 2017, Mike Healy was diagnosed with stage 2b melanoma. After surgery to remove the melanoma, the doctors removed 15 lymph nodes to test for spread. Fortunately, nothing was found, and he was given a clean bill of health.

Mike felt he had been given a new lease on life. He had no follow up scans planned and was told the cancer wouldn’t return. However, at the beginning of Covid in 2020, Mike’s wife Lynda noticed the growth on his back had returned. His doctors said there could be scar tissue developing, but Lynda was suspicious of the growth and urged Mike to see his melanoma specialist. Although he reached out right away, Covid issues led to a delay in being seen by the doctor. The spot continued to grow, and Mike began having debilitating headaches and dizziness. He also started experiencing hearing loss in one ear and facial drooping. He was initially diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy. However, after further testing, including an MRI and lumbar puncture, he was told that he now had cancerous spots in his brain, lungs and bones, as well as leptomeningeal disease.

With this new diagnosis, he was told by multiple physicians to get his affairs in order and was given a few months to live. Terrified by this news, Lynda started looking for different treatment options. Mike’s daughter Caitlin and his sister Elizabeth both work in pharmaceutical sales and felt strongly that giving up was not an option. They joined a private Facebook group on leptomeningeal disease, run by Kyle Greenemeyer and her sister Briana who had melanoma and leptomeningeal spread. Through this group, Caitlin and Elizabeth connected with other caregivers who provided a wealth of information and hope.

Mike’s condition worsened and he needed immediate steroid treatment to help with his renal insufficiency. The family worried that they were losing him.

In early 2021, Mike went to MD Anderson in Houston to be evaluated for inclusion in a study led by Dr. Isabella Glitza. This began a grueling schedule of trips every other week to MD Anderson from the Bay Area of California. But it also led to Mike’s health improving. His scans showed his tumors shrinking and his CSF showed no malignant cells. He returned to work in 2022 and continued with monthly trips to Houston.

In mid-February 2025, the Healy family lost Mike. Mike’s valiant and uncomplaining fight against leptomeningeal cancer made him a hero to all, and he was winning the fight, living years past his original prediction. This makes his unexpected death all the more tragic to all of those who love him.

Mike, the Healy family’s “John Wayne,” will always be remembered for the “Mikeisms” that are Healy lore. He will be terribly missed.