In loving memory of Michael Sheridan

It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we share the unexpected passing of Michael Sheridan on Saturday, March 18, 2023. Michael was a loving and devoted husband to Sam, and father to Charley and Finley. He was immensely loved by his family, friends, and students.

Being a husband and, most of all, a father were always the absolute most important roles in his life. Michael always put his wife and girls above all else and cherished the time he had with them, never taking a single moment for granted. Every day he gave them an unconditional, all-encompassing love that covered and protected their world, arms that would hold them and never let them go, patience that would leave no argument unresolved, and a playful spirit that saw every game through to the 100th round and then start it all over again.

Michael was a naturally gifted musician and athlete and honed these gifts by seeking out teachers and mentors with whom he formed deep bonds and pursued his goals with unwavering devotion and discipline. Deeply passionate about many things throughout his life, he found his most joyful moments in music; when he was creating, sharing, and teaching it; in the ocean; whether on his surfboard, fishing from his kayak, in the surf or 60 feet under the surface with a spear in hand; and most especially in his family and friends, cooking for them, spending time with them, playing games with them.

Michael’s devotion and discipline for his passions carried over to his role as a father and a husband, which above all else became his dedication. Michael found his soul mate in his wife Samantha, who shared his love of the ocean and his dreams of building a life together from their own unique designs. He loved his two young daughters fiercely and worked to inspire them with every ounce of love and knowledge that he had acquired over his great life. He balanced his time around his role as a father, waking up at 4 am on the weekend to go log a couple of hours fishing, surfing or diving, so that he could be back by 8 am to spend the day with his family, filling their time with sports and fishing and games of their own imagination. He loved to cook, and his favorite meals consisted of fish that he had caught paired with food grown in his family’s garden. He loved the holidays in the purest sense being a time for family and magic and he was everything behind that magic for his daughters. He did everything in his power to make sure that he would always be there for his family, never skipping a checkup and stubbornly pursuing second opinions on health issues when he disagreed with the first dismissive diagnosis.

In his death, Michael’s only wish would be that his wife and daughters be surrounded by everyone’s love and support. With all the emotional pain and stress that death brings, it can also bring financial burdens. We would like to raise money for Sam and their two young girls to help lighten the load. Any support you may be able to provide would be greatly appreciated. Please keep Michael’s family and children in your thoughts and prayers.