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.

Dear Shannon: We are sadden by the passing of your beloved husband. In their junior years, our twin daughters Lisa and Diana were inspired by Mike's determination, courage and sportsmanship in table tennis competition and went to excel in the sport. His handicap was totally forgotten as we watched him soundly defeated worthy 2-legged opponents one after another in tournaments. Indeed, he lived a life truly exemplified the triumph of the human spirit. May God bless Mike in heaven, you and your family here on earth. Love, ~ Yim & Betty, Lisa & Diana Gee  /  San Carlos, CA  /  gyim@comcast.net

Although I haven't seen Mike in many years, I was shaken to hear of his untimely death the other day. I first met Mike in Heidelberg, Germany in 1972 where he competed in table tennis and I in wheelchair racing. I was amazed at his incredible talent at the game and his poise at such a young age. I saw him play and win at a number of international meets after that. He only get better and better from the first time I saw him move around the table and manipulate his wheelchair in a way that I had not seen before nor since. It is apparent by the other notes I read here that Mike has left a great impression on the many people that he has touched in his short life. I can only say that I am honored to be one of them. The world has lost a great "ambassador of life." ~ Steve Goldman  /  San Diego, CA  /  sgoldman6@san.rr.com

Mike Dempsey is the most humble person I've ever met. It was a great pleasure and honor competing and knowing this great Champion. Always have that beautiful smile even in the heat of a battle. I'm not one of Mike's close friends but he always makes me feel like I'm one of his best friend. Our sincere condolence to his family. ~ Rodel Valdoria / San Diego, CA  /  Valdosport@aol.com

He was a good man, and always had funny things to say. He was fun to hang around with and a was tough opponent. ~ Michael Baltaxe  /  Moorpark, CA  /  mfbaltaxe@aol.com

My heart and prayers go out to Shannon and Henry. I have known Mike for many years and his twinkle in his eyes and giggle that was so very infectious will be remembered always and missed. Hold onto all your beautiful memories. ~ Christy Shimono  /  Fresno, CA

Mike is an example of what a good person should be. You could not know Mike and not admire his character, his determination, his respect for other people, and his love for life. He was the consummate competitor. He has made a difference in my life and he will always be remembered. ~ Philip Van De Wiele  /  San Diego, CA

Mike, an incredible soul with great integrity, spirit and warmth. For me, his life went beyond the incredible accomplishments in sport and business. He was a dedicated and loving husband, father and friend. The friendship he shared with Sebastian began over 30 years ago and grew through the years as they traveled the world together. As Sebastian struggled for so many years with health issues, Michael was always in touch with us. He constantly called, visited and sent his love, strength and prayers our way. He would fly up for a day, in between his busy life, just to visit Sebastian during the hardest times. Michael's soothing, comforting and loving presence would always give us strength. We shared from a distance the intense journey as he and Shannon poured their hearts and souls into their incredible adoption of Henry. Nothing would stop them from coming home with Henry in their arms and they were tested time and time again . . Tenacity, perserverance, love and commitment surrounded them and with this determination, they came home with their wonderful son. The highlight of Michael's life was Shannon and Henry. To see them together would always touch my heart as I observed great love, joy and playfulness between them. May the spirit of such a great man always live in our hearts. He was truly a role model for living life to the fullest. He will always be a source of strength and of great love. He was a great man and will be missed dearly. Our love goes to Shannon, Henry and the Dempsey Family. ~ Liz DeFrancesco  /  Santa Cruz, CA  / bizzde@gmail.com

The first time I saw Mike play Table Tennis at the Activity Center, San Diego, he has made an unforgettable impression. That of a great person and a great player beating all odds. Thank you for an extraordinary example to follow, second to none. You are and will be missed, Mike. ~ Mabel Zafra  /  San Diego, CA  /  coolbaguio08@yahoo.com

I have known Mike since my earliest days in wheelchair sports 36 years ago. He was a help and a guide in my earliest years of international disabled sports coaching and team management, starting with the 1982 Pan American Games in Halifax, Nova Scotia when I was designated the USA Team Table Tennis coach and team leader. But more than as a player, I deeply cared for Mike as a friend and advisor. He enabled our mutual friend, Ted Kaplan to win a medal by asking him to be his doubles partner at the National Wheelchair Games in 1989, just months before Ted died of cancer. In 1992 (?) at the Junior National Wheelchair Games in Columbus, he drove me in the dead of night to retrieve my daughter Danielle, with a 104 degree fever from friends in Cincinnati - in a rental car with no hand controls! Now, at age 24, Mike continues to be her white knight- and she mourns him today as if he were family. My husband Ken Brooks, a team mate of Mike's since 1972 also shares his tremendous sorrow with the rest of our community who feels this loss today. Mike is greatly loved by the Brooks family and will be greatly missed by us and by all who truly knew this great, yet humble, man. ~ Sharon Frant Brooks  / Lebanon, NJ  /  sfrantbrooks@excite.com

My deepest condolences for the Dempsey family. I have worked 25 years in packaging, starting with Automated Packaging (Twinsburg, OH) and Xpedex (San Francisco, CA). I am a friend of Sebastian DeFrancesco. ~ Rich Kaufmann  /  Santa Cruz, CA  /  dkaufcruz@comcast.net

Mike Dempsey was a great man!!! There are not many players in the world the do have such a charisma like Mike had. I know him since 1985, it was my first international tournament in Vienna, and there was a lot of American Players on this event. Especially Mike was also in this time one of the best! He was singularly!!!! Mike was a person with which one can speak about all things! Not only table tennis! My last meeting with Mike was in Las Vegas 2005. We talk about good old times and that table tennis was nice in the past. Also about motor-trikes and more. Everyone how knows Mike can remember on his nice deep voice and sometimes on his big cigar! With Mike is one of the most pleasant players gone. He was one of my heros, because he play fair and to win was not the important thing (I think) for him! I remember 1996 Paralympics Atlanta –- when we was in a bar (after event!). Mike bring also his Korean TT-friend from Korean Team in this bar and show him “american style”. It was so funny and Mike laughed from the bottom of his heart. I will remember all of this nice times that I share with Mike! Mike, you was a great person and you will always be it in my mind! We will miss you! ~ Rudi Hajek  / Austria  /  rudolf.hajek@aon.at

When I think of Mike Dempsey I think of warmth, generosity and talent. He had a great big warmth for people, a generous heart in all ways, and an immense talent. How do we translate this? It showed as a love for people, a love for sports and as a love for LIFE. Michael, you have infected all of us in your enthusiasm. We are all the better for it and we cannot forget you. We give our sincere condolences to Shannon, Henry and all of Mike's family. ~ Peizhen Shao & Marty Young / White Plains, NY

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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