Michael W. Verronneau, 56, died Monday, December 7, 2015 at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York City. Born in New Bedford, he was the son of Cecile Joseph, Albert Joseph Jr., and the late Roger Verronneau.
A self described, “professional patient” for most of his life, Mike died as he lived, fighting against all odds to live life fully, inspiring everyone who had the privilege of meeting him.
Mike was diagnosed in 1985 with Hypereosinophilic Syndrome, a condition that would profoundly shape the course of his life. Originally a mechanic, Mike became a self-taught computer analyst, re-inventing himself as he battled his illness, becoming the Technical Operations Director for Bristol District Attorney, Paul Walsh, Facilities Manager and Business Continuity Project Manager for OnProcess Technology, Faculty Member, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, and the founder of MWV Multi-Media Forensic Investigative Services Inc.
Described by his colleagues as the consummate professional, Mike strove for excellence in all that he did and possessed a genuine compassion for and commitment to his clients.
But Mike will be remembered most for his dedication to assisting others, especially those with serious medical illnesses. Thanks to the indefatigable work of Mike’s doctors at Beth Israel Hospital, Dr. Peter Weller, Dr. Anne Weller and Dr. Warren Manning, Mike was able to touch the lives of countless individuals for 30 years after his original diagnosis.
Through Mike’s tireless advocacy, fund raising, and medical expertise, he offered compassionate guidance and moral support to multitudes. And to those lucky enough to be in the “inner circle” of Team Verronneau, our lives will be forever changed by Mike’s will to live in the face of supreme challenges; with grit, determination, fierce loyalty, and a genuine ability to look beyond life’s struggles to what was truly important-family and friends.
A dedicated family man, Mike is survived by his wife, Margaret "Peggy" (O'Neil) Verronneau, daughter, Nicole Potter and her husband David, grandson, Benjamin Potter, sister, Deborah Allerdt and her husband Jeffrey, brother, Mark Verronneau and his wife Tricia, nephews Marc Allerdt and his wife Meredith and Steven Verronneau, nieces Jessica Allerdt and Alyssa Verronneau, sister-in-law Catherine Norton and her husband Stephen, brothers-in-law, Thomas O’Neil, Mark O’Neil and his wife Laurie, Andrew O’Neil and his wife Jacqueline, Michael O’Neil, Christopher O’Neil and his wife Kristine, and many O’Neil nieces and nephews.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday at 10 AM at St. Lawrence Church, New Bedford. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Friday from 4-8 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Road, Route 6, Mattapoisett. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, “Weller Leukocyte Fund” noted in the check memo line, to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Office of Development, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston MA, 02215 or the Thomas H. and Catherine D. O’Neil Charitable Foundation, www.oneilfoundation.org. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.