Obituary of Michael P Dooley

Michael P. Dooley, a 53-year resident of Burlington passed away on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 after an extended illness.  He was 78 years old.  Mike was born and raised in Winchester, Massachusetts and was a graduate of Winchester High School.  He was the proud son of two Marines, Rodney and Marjorie Dooley.  Mike met his wife Dianne in Cambridge, Massachusetts.  They married in December of 1969 and settled in Burlington to raise their four children.  Mike retired in 2003 after a hard-working career in the Field Services industry.

Mike was a motorcycle enthusiast.  At the age of fourteen he rode his first dirt bike, and he has been on two wheels ever since.  Throughout his life, Mike purchased and rode all sorts of Harley Davidson motorcycles from sportsters to cruisers.  In his younger years he drove out alone to the manufacturing plant in Milwaukee to purchase his first Harley Davidson and drove it back to Massachusetts.  Mike was a member of the Iron Horses Motorcycle Club based in Wakefield, MA.  With his club members and on his own, Mike took countless road trips. He rode to Daytona, Florida numerous times to participate in Bike Week.  Mike never missed Laconia Bike week with his friends, and his family knew not to plan any events during that time. Mike and Dianne often took motorcycle trips together and favorite destinations included Lake George, NY, Vermont, PEI Canada and other areas around New England.

Mike also treasured time with his wife and family. Early family trips included visits to Jefferson, Maine where he could enjoy time with his children and parents. He and Dianne went on numerous cruises to Bermuda, Florida, Bahamas, Caribbean, and Canada. Visiting the New Hampshire and Maine beaches was always a favorite pastime. Maine in the summer with his children and grandchildren was extra special.

Mike always kept a watchful eye on his children. When his grandchildren came along, Grampa softened and loved spending time with them and supporting their activities.  He and his sister, Michele, had a great bond. They would go on road trips to visit family in Quebec City or share dinner and drinks. He had a quick wit, could spark up a conversation with anyone, and was extremely thoughtful.  The past year battling prostate cancer had been a challenge for him, but all his family, especially his beloved wife Dianne rallied around him to support and care for him. 

Mike was the beloved husband of Dianne for 54 years.  He was the loving and supportive father to Leah Forbes & her husband Francis of Dunstable, Rachael Pierce & her husband James of Bradenton, FL, John Dooley & his wife Linda of Burlington, and the late Denise Anderson.  He was caring brother to Michele Mawn & her husband Peter of North Reading.  Mike was the proud grandfather of Ryan and Sarah Forbes, Meghan and Elizabeth Pierce, Courtney and Chase Anderson, Jack, Stella, and Lila Dooley.

Visiting hours will be Friday, April 12 from 5-7 p.m. Funeral from the Sullivan Funeral Home on Saturday, April 13 at 11am. and will conclude with a 12pm. mass at St. Margaret Church in St. Veronica Parish, www.stveronicama.org, 111 Winn Street, Burlington, MA. 

Memorials in Mike’s name may be made to People Helping People, www.peoplehelpingpeopleinc.org, P.O. Box 343, Burlington, MA 01803. 

For online guestbook and video tribute see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net