Michael William Dooley

Michael William Dooley, 79, passed away peacefully in his home in St Paul on January 27th, 2021.

He was born in Austin, MN on November 6, the eldest of 8 children. He attended Austin Pacelli High School, Austin Junior College, and the University of MN. He graduated with a BS in Electrical Engineering.

Mike is survived by: his daughters Erin Dooley (Kevin Anderson), Tara Thompson (Philip Thompson), Kerry Dooley (David Shell); the mother of his children, former spouse Mary Kay Dooley; grandchildren Neil and Liam Anderson, Richard, Madeline, and James Thompson, and Emory Shell; siblings Mary Dooley, Daniel Dooley, Jean Johnson, and Margaret Haldeman, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is predeceased by his father and mother John and Grace Dooley and his brothers James, John, and Joseph Dooley.

Mike had an accomplished career as an Electrical Engineer for Medtronic, CPI, and Guidant. He was responsible for the battery technology on the ground-breaking team creating the first implantable pacemaker defibrillator. He has been awarded at least 7 patents for pacemaker-related inventions and was a recipient of the Mirowski Technology Award, which was given by Guidant to a top technologist every year, for his exemplary contributions in medical technology. As his exciting career drew to a close, he was occasionally asked to return as a consultant, mentor, and advisor. During this time he helped create the first hearing aid for the middle ear which transmits sound directly to the cochlea. He was a lifelong learner and dedicated to encouraging education and learning in others. He encouraged all of his grandchildren in their further studies, frequently acting as a mentor to one who chose to pursue electrical engineering.

He embraced his retirement with the same ambition as his working life. He thoughtfully established goals, identified steps, and followed through with his own plans.

Mike was a renaissance man and a devoted grandfather. He took every opportunity to share his passions of music, physics, brainteasers, investments, global travel, cooking, farmer’s marketing, fishing, hunting, knife sharpening, camping, and “swapping lies” with his grandkids. He completed a budget gourmet cookbook Eat Well on $3 a Day. His latest project was writing a book called Stuff I Think I Know. He spent a lot of his time thinking, writing back-of-the-envelope notes and calculations, and sharing his thoughts about his conclusions with his loved ones.

Mike enjoyed annual trips to the BWCAW, Zihuatanejo, hunting and fishing openers as much as hosting wild game feed dinners for family and friends, playing guitar at open-mic night at cafes and bars, and losing money at poker night with the guys.

He will be deeply missed by all of his friends, family and all who know him in his abundant circles. A memorial will be planned at a future date when it is safer to gather. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Mike may be made to your local PBS station , the Saint Paul Farmers’ Market , or the MWD Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Please join us for a celebration of Mike Dooley's life:
August 1st, 2021
Roughly 4:00-7:00pm (come and go as you please)
At the Como midway picnic pavilion, in the east picnic grounds
1199 Midway Parkway, St. Paul, MN 55108
Near intersection of Como and Lexington
In honor of our dad's love of music, we are hoping for a song circle throughout the celebration. Please bring an instrument if you play!
We will pause for sharing memories at 4:30, 5:30, and 6:30pm.
Food will be served throughout the celebration.