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.

Yes, Mike was a wonderful guy, just a delight. Strangely, our paths haven't crossed over the recent years, so I haven't seen him play in a long time; however I didn't have a particular interest in seeing him play lately, for I saw him in his prime. He could play, REALLY play. Great sense of the game, great awareness so rarely seen at any level of the sport. Though his records are outstanding, exceptional, quite hard to believe he achieved so much, he was actually better than even his record showed. To this day I do not know how he played at that level so above. After all these years, so many of his shots I still have images of.......ah, to play like Mike played! ~ Donn Olsen  / Rockville, MD

Mike was an awesome friend and mentor and will be greatly missed. I met Mike back in 1982, I was 17 and newly injured paraplegic. I had made my first international tt team and Mike was a part of the group. I used the same grip style as Mike and I was always asking him questions and trying to learn from him. Mike would encourage me to be more patient, push more balls, and wait for the right one to flip. Mike was a top notch guy, he was very generous and would always lend a hand if needed. At last years training camp Sean O’Neill told me that Mike would be spending the day with us. Having the opportunity to play and learn and ask Mike questions was invaluable to my growth and development as a player. Mike was respected by elite athletes of all sports. His death is a huge loss for the entire disabled community. Mike’s song “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor was fitting because he always rose up to the challenge of his rivals. He will be greatly missed our thoughts and prayers are with his family. ~ Pam Fontaine  / Double Oak, TX  /  pamfontaine@tx.rr.com

My deepest sympathy to Shannon and the rest of his family, Mike was a great friend and teammate. ~ Terry Tierney / Whitestone, NY

Aunque uferon muy pocas las veces que conversamos ,puedo afirmar que era una gran persona y amigo ,con gran recnocida trayectoria ,le doy mi mas sentido pesame a sus familiares y ala gente que lo queria ,de un amigo ... ~ Juan Carlos Acosta Villanueva  / Lima, Peru  /  juansoco@hotmail.com

I met Mike in 1972 in Heidelberg, Germany at the Paralympics. I was 18 years old and competed in track, Mike in table tennis. Mike played Haggai in the table tennis finals. Mike was only 16 years old and Haggai of Israel was the Grand Master of wheelchair table tennis. Watching Mike play at Master level as a kid left a powerful impression and inspired me to play table tennis myself. After the Paralympics games ended in '72, the US team took a side trip to Sweden and my room mate was Mike. We became best friends. Mike moved out to California and we lived together from 1974 -1978 until I got married. Mike was my table tennis hero and mentor. From 1974 to 1980 was my special time with Mike. Those years where filled with HOURS of table tennis. Mike was inspirational, patient, kind, and had an inner drive that was very contagious to me. Playing team doubles in international competition and winning with Mike were some of the most exciting moments In my athletic career! Such a tragedy for Mike's life to end so young. And such a tragedy for every one that knew and loved Mike. I had dreams of a table tennis come back some day, playing team doubles with Mike... Though impossible now, Mike's greatest attributes will live in me till I am gone. I will miss my friend and table tennis hero. ~ Gary Kerr / Lake Oswego, OR / Doubles Partner & Friend

Shannon and Henry. God bless you. Mike was a man of integrity and passion, as I had the pleasure of learning over the years. He has always been one of my favorite people. It stikes me that EVERYONE Mike knew has a story to tell, and that they are all different! He had a way of making all of his friends feel special. Mike. God speed. I miss you. ~ Rod Williams  /  Los Gatos, CA  /  seoulgold88@gmail.com

Mike is a truly inspirational athlete to all of us and I was saddened to hear of this news. I grew up playing with him and against him in the San Francisco Bay Area and he was always one of the players to watch out for. He is and was a wonderful role model both on and off the table. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family at this difficult time. ~ Diana Gee  / Lincoln, CA

I knew Mike over 35 years starting in Columbus Ohio at our Columbus Table Tennis Club when world wheelchair champion john gray introduced Mike to me and before long Columbus had two world champions, as well as us champion DJ Lee and runnerup, John Tannehill. Mike always impressed me with his superior physical skills, but it was his outstanding mental skills on and off the table that really impressed me. Mike and I both ended up in our San Diego table tennis club where it was again a pleasure to know this incredible player and human being. I cannot make the funeral, but I will pray for Mike and his wife Shannon and son Henry. I will probably see u soon Mike. Luv, Bill ~ Bill Hodge  / Yuma, AZ  /  billniceguy20@hotmail.com

This is too sudden for me as I have just played Mike last Sunday in the San Diego tournament in Round16 of U2125. Despite I won the game, Mike has always been the real winner in my mind for the role model he has set up for all of us to benefit from. My sincere condolences and best wishes for the family. ~ Sai C. Kwok  / San Diego

Our wonderful friend Michael left us too early. I thank God for the memories he left behind, wonderful memories and always with the greatest energy and smile. God will surely bless Michael for all he contributed to the world we know. ~ Marty Ball / Ft Meyers, FL  /  MBall@tilite.com

What can you say? We've lost one of the best! Mike has been a leader in the world of table tennis and wheelchair sports as well. He has always supported and encouraged us "less then perfect" players and has been an inspiration to us throughout our lives. Our fondest memories of table tennis competitions were just watching Mike play. To Shanon and Henry, as well as the rest of Mike's family, we offer our condolences. What you are going through right now is unimaginable. We send you our love and hope that the memory of Mike will help you through this sad time. Love from Joe & Debbie. ~ Joe & Debbie Quigg / Santa, CA  /  jsq57@aol.com

I met Mike in 1986 at the Far West Games in Arizona. I knew of his accomplishments from a long time friend Gary Kerr, who taught me to play the game during rehab in 1973. It was because of Mike and his accomplishments that made me want to compete in the sport. I had the honor of playing him, his charisma, style, sportsmanship and encouragement were inspirational. I traveled with Mike and the team to many tournaments and events worldwide which were some of the best times and memories I have. Mike, I miss you my friend. I hope to see you again when it is my time to exit this earth and when we do lets play a match and have a blast all over again. My heart goes out to Shannon and Henry. If there is anything I can do to help, I am there for you. God Bless. All my love, James B. Hall ~ Jim Hall  /  Walnut, CA  /  medpip57@aol.com

Mike was a great business leader and incredible table tennis player. His presence will be missed amongst his friend and disabled constituents. ~ Mike Shepard  / Colorado Springs, CO / mpshepherd@aol.com

Dear Shannon, we will miss Mike. ~ Margita Homolova / Bratislava, Slovakia / margitahomolova@yahoo.co.uk

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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