In Loving Memory of
Michael Henry Dempsey
1956 - 2009

Condolences  Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6 |  Page 7  |  Page 8
NOTE: To submit words of condolences, thoughts, prayers or photos for Shannon, little Henry and the Dempsey family, please fill in the box at the right. Once submitted, they will be posted below.

On behalf of the Paralympic Family, I would like to tell you, that our thoughts are with you and Henry, at what must be a very difficult time. I just wanted to tell you also what an incredible impact Mike had on me as a budding table tennis player over thirty years ago.  In fact, I think his skills were so great that he convinced me without him knowing it, that I was never going to make a table tennis player in the top flight.  I therefore concentrated on my number 1 passion, wheelchair basketball. My lasting memory is of the titanic matches that Mike played against Baruch Hagai, his toughest and perennial opponent, in the finals of the Paralympic Games.  The match that I remember most was in Toronto in 1976 with the match table being laid out on the basketball court and Mike and Baruch going at it hammer and tongs in an epic encounter. Finally even though I didn’t know Mike well and I know that you will have already done this, but please tell Henry what a great sportsman his dad was. ~ Sir Philip Craven MBE /  International Paralympic Committee President

I knew Mike Dempsey for 32 years as one an athletes that I coached, as a close friend and role model for all athletes in the world. He was by far the best Table Tennis athlete in USA that ever lived. He won 10 Paralympic Games medals from 9 consecutive games. He won more World titles than J-O Waldner and is a contender for being the best Table Tennis in the world of all times. It is surreal that he is not with us anymore. We need to do something to prolong his memory so athletes today remember that USA had one of the worlds greatest Table Tennis athletes in modern history. His last singles Gold medal was in the 1988 Seoul Paralympic Games. My sincere condolences goes out to his wife Sharon and his son Henry. ~ Christian Lillieroos  / Okalohama City, OK  / Coach & Friend

I am GREATLY saddened & shaken by the news of Mike's sudden death. He was one of the nicest and friendliest people I knew.... always had a wonderful smile, twinkle in his eye and kind words. I have known Mike for over 30 years and have worked with him in the past, on the SDTTA Board of Directors. I also helped to induct him into the CA TT Hall of Fame in 2001 and wrote letters to politicians on the Dempsey family's behalf, helping with their struggles on their adoption of Henry. I recently visited Mike, Shannon and Henry at their beautiful home in San Diego. I just saw Mike on Sunday at the NATT tourney in San Diego. In thinking back, I remember sitting alone with Mike, at my own fathers funeral when he came to pay his respects (Ironically, they both died from the exact same thing). Mike was such a very special person and a very dear, dear friend to my father and me. I will miss him, as I'm sure the rest of us will in our Table Tennis family. I send my love to his wife Shannon & son Henry at this very difficult time. ~ Pam Ramsey  /  pkr@pamelaramsey.com United State Table Tennis Foundation / CA Table Tennis Hall of Fame Board

Throughout our lives, very seldom do we meet a person who has touched so many and accomplished so much... in such a short period of time. The legacy and the love that Michael Dempsey has left behind will be evidenced by the outpouring of love from around the world for this unbelievable human being. We all have our memories to share, and they all have a common theme... he was an extraordinary human being, full of love and life, a warm person with a big heart, and a role model for everyone. I knew Mike for over 30 years, since I was in college and we were both young. We've shared many moments together, enjoyed playing this sport together, was invited into his home and his life, and was honored by his presence at my wedding. And although he was undoubtedly one of the greatest champions to ever walk the face of this earth, his most important quality was that he was someone who you were proud to call your friend. There are so many friends... and so many memories… and Michael will forever tie us all together.. Michael will be missed greatly... but never forgotten. Celebrate his life through his memories... they will live on forever! We love you and miss you Mike...   ~ Gary Hranek  / San Diego, CA  /  ghranek@hotmail.com

I have known Mike for 30 plus years. Last Sunday we shook hands after making plans to play this week. I told Stellan that Mike's hands reminded me of the time I shook the hand of Arnold Palmer. Mike was not only a great athlete in our sport but in life--a truly great man. We will all miss him and treasure the memories we were lucky to shared. Love to his family from all of us. ~ MTL (Dr. Mike Lardon)  / San Diego, CA / mtl@drlardon.com

I can't believe Mike is gone. This is such sad news. Mike was such a great sportsman and ambassador for our sport. I remember him primarily as the rival for my close friend and former training partner, Mitch Stephens. Mitch battled with Mike many times in the late 70's, early 80's for both national and world titles. He lost more than he won, but he cherished those wins because he knew Mike was the "man to beat". I didn't have a lot of interactions with Mike directly, but every time I ran into him at a tournament he was always upbeat and in good spirits. The best word I can think to describe Mike is "inspiring". His inspiration will be sorely missed. I send my condolences to his wife and family. ~ Larry Thoman  / Gallatin, TN

You might not have the legs to carry you but your heart, determination and desire to succeed is ten times more than all of the athletes I've ever known. You will forever be remembered MIKE and our prayers goes with you. ~ From Raul, Earl, Don and John Alto  / San Diego,CA

Mike will be missed. He was a great guy. ~ Marco B / Scottsdale, Ariz  /  caccobio10@hotmail.com

Mike was a great champion, a wonderful person and friend. He was a very special icon for our Table Tennis Community and will be greatly missed. We wish to give our very heartfelt condolences to his family. ~ Lily Yip and Barry Dattel  / NJ  /  barrydattel@hotmail.com

Our Dearly beloved Mike. On behalf of the American Wheelchair Table Tennis Association (AWTTA), US Paralympics/USOC, Wheelchair Sports USA, our table tennis family and friends, I would like to express our deep sorrow on the loss of a great table tennis player, a gentleman and a friend. Our condolences to Shannon, Henry and the Dempsey family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this very difficult time. On a personal note I met Mike in 1971 when he attended the Pan American Games as a member of the US delegation. We were all very impressed and intrigued by this very quiet and young person, but an outstanding table tennis player. During his matches he would roll his E&J chair to the table, locked his brakes, shook his hair (it was long with a bang) and then served. We never got tired of watching him. He was the best in wheelchair table tennis. All of my former Jamaican teammates has asked me to express their sympathy to his family. He was well known among them. Mike became the gentleman of table tennis. He played hard, but was always gracious. He was truly respected by all. May he rest in peace. Sadly missed. ~ Jennifer Johnson  /  Port Chester, NY /  johnsonjennifer@yahoo.com  American Wheelchair Table Tennis Association, President

Mike Dempsey was 14 years old when he first came into the Columbus (OH) Table Tennis Courts at the encouragement of John Gray, another Columbus wheelchair champion, several years older than Mike. In less than a year, Mike was winning paralympic events in Ohio, and soon after in the rest of the world. He was not only a great champion but also a credit to the sport of table tennis--a generous and good human being. He was the first, and thus far only, paralympic athlete inducted into the U.S. Table Tennis Hall of Fame. It is an honor to have had him as a friend. ~ Dick Evans  /  President U.S. Table Tennis Hall of Fame

Thank You to those who have shared your thoughts, memories & condolences.

Sir Philip Craven MBE / IPC President
Christian Lillieroos / Coach
Pam Ramsey  / USTTF / CTTHOF
Gary Hranek  / Former SDTTA Pres
Dr. Mike Lardon
Larry Thoman  / Newgy
Raul, Earl, DJ & John Alto
Marco Borrillo
Llly Yip & Barry Dattel
Jennifer Johnson / AWTTA Pres
Dick Evans / USTTA Hall of Fame Pres
Phil Davila
Ron Spencer
Umel Family
Tom Nyguen  / NATT
Mike Veillette
Tahl Leibovitz
Mike Gift
Scott Preiss Family
Joseph Rokop
Waqidi Falicoff
Perry Schwartzberg
Gil Simons
Andrew Murray
Kent Anderson
Olga Kahan
Terese Terranova
Donn Olsen
Pam Fontaine
Terry Tierney
Juan Carlos Acosta Villanueva / Peru
Gary Kerr
Rod Williams
Diana Gee
Bill Hodge
Sai Kwok
Marty Ball
Joe & Debbie Quigg
James Hall
Mike Shepard
Margita Homolova / Slovakia
Yim & Betty Gee
Steve Goldman
 Rodel Valdoria
Michael Baltaxe
Christy Shimono
Philip Van De Wiele
Liz DeFrancesco
Mabel Zafra
Sharon Frant Brooks
Rich Kaufmann
Rudi Hajek / Austria  
Peizhen Shao & Marty Young
Jackie DiLorenzo
Alan Williams / NATT
Mary and Bruce Boegel
Mitch Rothfleisch
Mitchell Seidenfeld
Tom & Marilyn Miller
Bob Szyman
Andy O'Sullivan / New Zealand
Will & Carolyn Pau
Rick Hayden
David Strang
Christopher Lynch
Kathy Baker
California Table Tennis Hall of Fame
Stuart Caplin
Tracy Conway
Jock Oubicon
Waqidi & Leslie Falicoff
Mike Efferson
Carlo Brignardello
Chris Sparks  /  Australia
Paul Davison
Carl Danner / USTTF
American Airlines  /  San Diego
Mike Meier
Darrell Ray
Connie Head
Bill Sparks
Judy Einbinder
Ruth Rowsenbaum
Gina Biter
Ly Family
James Therriault
Wendy Fletcher Dick
Roy Gash
Joe Segal
Ryan Militante
Gary Whiddon
Miriam Lawrence
Jo Dempsey Foster
 

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