Michael Joseph Dempsey

Our family, and friends of Mike, are sad to announce his unexpected passing at his home in Helena on Friday, February 11, 2022.

Michael Joseph “Mike” Dempsey was born on November 28, 1955 in Helena to Gordon Eugene “Gene” Dempsey and Lenore (Roeder) Dempsey. He spent much of his childhood in the Wolf Creek and Craig area. He attended Cascade High School, Boulder High School and the school of hard knocks (like many). His adult life was spent almost entirely in Helena.

Mike worked various construction jobs in and out of Montana as a young man. Diabetes, and the long-term effects of that, would lessen his physical abilities and Mike underwent a kidney and pancreas transplant after repeated hospitalizations and dialysis. He enjoyed many years of restored health post-transplant and went back to work, most recently for Costco in Helena and had just retired at the end of December, 2021. Mike was kind and would do anything for a friend. He was generous and soft hearted and stubborn. He discounted his own health at times and shrugged off not feeling well. When asked, he’d reply with, “I’ll live”. A lesson to us all to take care of ourselves and each other.

Mike loved driving in one of his many (over the years) flashy cars. He liked car races and motorcycles and most recently driving his side-by-side in the mountains and off-road with his friends. He was looking forward to retirement and weekend get-aways and the dust kicked up off remote dirt trails. Mike hated onion! He ate often at the Early Bird Café in Helena and I’m sure any of those servers could attest to that. He enjoyed meeting his friends there for breakfast at 9:00 and a visit.

Those who preceded him in death include his father, Gene Dempsey; his mother, Lenore Glover; his brother, Kevin Dempsey; his brother, Scott Wildish; his grandparents; and aunts and uncles.

Survivors include his sisters, Dawn Smith-Sullivan of Choteau, MT and Darcie Hanson of Cascade, MT; his step-mother, Janice Dempsey of Craig, MT; and his step-father, Gene Wildish of Whitehall, MT; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Mike also had a wide circle of friends who survive him. His family wants to acknowledge them all for the support that they’ve shown Mike throughout his life and now to us in his passing.

Service Schedule

Memorial Service

2:00 PM

Saturday May 14, 2022

Fort Harrison Service Club

4353 Fredrick Dr

Helena, Montana 59636

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