The life of any good Irishman worth his salt is based upon three pillars: love, loyalty and friendship. Mike Dwyer’s life was based upon these three all-important traits. Mike loved with all his heart those who were lucky to be counted among his family and friends. Mike exemplified loyalty through his relationships with everyone he worked and played alongside. Mike Dwyer knew, deep in his heart of hearts, the true meaning of friendship. Friendship not in the cursory way the word is thrown around in today’s world. Mike was a man with a profound sense and measure of friendship that can only be based on the love and loyalty that were paramount to Mike.
Mike Dwyer was a gifted and talented athlete so let’s look at his life story through that lens. Mike Dwyer ran with the ball – that ball was the gift of his life both on and off the field. Mike was a son, brother, dad, friend, coworker and all-around-great guy. Mike Dwyer played the game of life with equal parts passion, honesty, integrity, grit and good humor. If life were a cocktail recipe Mike Dwyer knew just the right mix.
Mike Dwyer made his opening debut in life, stepping up to the plate as it were, on July 2, 1966. Just as the “boys of summer”, the Red Sox have worked out the kinks and cobwebs of spring and now it’s time for mid-season ball to take on its aura of endless summer days and nights. Mike arrived at Woonsocket Hospital in time for the Fourth of July fireworks. Mike loved having a summer birthday!
Mike was the son of the late Richard Thomas Dwyer and Anne Rita “Nancy” (Stanton) Dwyer. Mike was raised at his family’s homestead amongst the innumerable neighborhood kids in East Woonsocket. Northern Rhode Island was Mike’s lifetime home and stomping grounds as he lived in Lincoln, North Smithfield, Manville and back to Woonsocket.
Mike was a standout athlete at Woonsocket High School and graduated with the class of 1984. Football and track and field were among his notable athletic endeavors. Mike went on to attend Bridgewater State College, now Bridgewater State University.
For many years Mike was employed at Union Paper and RJP Packaging Corp. in Providence. He was known as a dedicated and diligent employee who, with his trademark cheerful outlook on both life and work, endeared himself to his coworkers. They will certainly miss Mike’s twinkling blue eyes and devil-may-care smile.
Mike Dwyer ate, slept and breathed sports. All Boston sports teams were “Mike’s team” The Sox, Patriots, Bruins and Celtics – they all played for Mike Dwyer, whether or not the players, coaches, managers and owners ever knew it or not, Mike knew it. And that’s what counted in Mike’s book! Mike knew the stats and scores, high-lights and low-lights, victories and defeats, lucky breaks and tough blows of the Boston sports world over the past 5 decades and counting. Mike counted himself one lucky S.O.B. to have seen the Sox win the Series, the Pats win Super Bowls, the Bruins the Stanley Cup and the Celtics dynasty years from the days of Havlicek and Russell to that of Bird, Ainge, Parrish and McHale! Mike coached the Manville Farm League baseball team and took immense satisfaction in coaching his daughters soccer and basketball teams. Be it in victory or defeat, Mike received his PhD in the lessons of sports, namely exercise, fun and good sportsmanship for those he played with and coached.
Outside of work and sports Mike lived his life to the fullest. Among the many activities he delved headfirst into were his uncanny knack at playing a mean hand of cards in the pitch league, fantasy football, going skydiving for a total of 8 times (a Dwyer family record that will most likely stand forever undefeated) and being a self-proclaimed “grill Master” at family cookouts and get together.
Mike loved to rock it out at many concerts and the music of “the Boss”, Bruce Springsteen was the soundtrack to Mike’s life. Mike explored the world with trips to places like Australia, Alaska and trying his luck in Las Vegas (for the record Mike always “Broke even’ in Vegas….after all Mike lived by the motto: “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas”…..psst, whatever you do just don’t’ say anything to anybody back in Rhode Island!) Closer to home Mike was a true son of the Ocean State as he hit the beach every summer.
Mike was blessed with true Irish charm, a quick wit, wonderful sense of humor, the ability to make the most of any situation and of course the unique ability to cause havoc and mischief amongst his siblings while getting away “scot-free” from the wrath of Mom and Dad.
On a much more meaningful level Mike was that kid, both at school and in the neighborhood, who make everyone feel welcome and like they were part of the team. Mike stood up for the little guy, the underdog, and those who may have had it rough at home. He was fearless when it came to confronting anyone who was doing wrong, harming someone else, talking bad, or not living up to be the person they were meant to be. Mike could call them out on it and set them back on the straight path….. Or else a knuckle sandwich! Take your pick!
Mike Dwyer was called home on Monday March 11, 2024 at Rhode Island Hospital in Providence after suffering a stroke at home. Mike put up a good fight and a valiant struggle to come back to us. The Good Lord had other plans for Mike. Mike passed away surrounded by the love of the family he held so dear and who surrounded him with love in return as he slipped away to join his parents Dick and Nancy and brother Jimmy in heaven. As a family we find comfort in that.
For a fellow born just in time for the Fourth of July and who made the “Irish Exit” – (he left without saying goodbye.) Mike arrived in heaven just in time for St. Patrick’s Day. Mike’s family hopes this Paddy’s Day will be a grand reunion for him with Mom and Dad and Jimmy.
Mike was the proud son of the late Dick and Nancy Dwyer and his late brother James “Jimmy” Dwyer. Mike will forever be the proud-beyond-words dad of his two daughters Hannah Dwyer of Watertown, MA and Tess Dwyer of Lincoln RI. Hannah and Tess are Mike’s biggest and most important accomplishments in life. Hands down he loved them more than life itself and wanted the whole world to know it. Do you hear that world?
Mike was the loving brother of Thomas Dwyer of Woonsocket, Daniel Dwyer and his companion Debbie Chabot of Cumberland, Mary Berthiaume and her husband Charles “Chuck” Berthiaume of Woonsocket and Eileen Dwyer and her companion Charles “Chuck” Kwolek of Smithfield. Mike is also survived by his former wife, lifelong friend and Hannah and Tess’s mom Kelley (Ustas) Dwyer. Mike is also survived by his extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who are like family.
As an organ donor Mike gave the gift of life, he “played the ball forward” to someone in need and hopes everyone will consider doing the same to help save a life.
Although we are deeply saddened by Mike’s passing we are grateful for the “Wicked Awesome” 57 fun-filled, action-packed years Mike had to share with all who knew and loved him.
All are welcome to remember, honor and celebrate Mike’s life at visiting hours on Saturday March 16, 2024 from 1:00-4:00 pm at Menard-Lacouture Funeral Home, 127 Carrington Ave. Woonsocket. A prayer service with words of remembrance will be held at 4:00 pm. Mike will be laid to rest in a private ceremony at a later date.
Fittingly enough Mike’s wake will be on St. Patrick’s Day Eve. As far as Mike was concerned St. Patrick’s Day is one of the “High Holy Days” of the calendar. Although we have to kick off Paddy’s day weekend with Mike’s wake his family hopes very much that all will come out to celebrate Mike’s 57 years of love, loyalty and friendship. Mary, Tommy, Danny and Eileen want the cloud surrounding Mike’s passing to turn into the most brilliant rainbow you ever saw stretching from Rhode Island back over to Mike’s ancestral Irish homeland because that is how much Mike loved us all!
In lieu of flowers, and in honor of Mike's support for those battling from a stroke, the family suggests memorial donations may be made to “Tedy’s Team” founded by Teddy Bruschi of the New England Patriots at www.tedysteam.org. It’s a great organization that does great things to help those who need it.
Arrangements are in care of the Menard-Lacouture Funeral Home, 127 Carrington Ave. Woonsocket.
www.menardfuneralhome.com