Michael Edward “Mike” Herron, 79, of Hershey’s Mill, West Chester, PA passed away on September 19, 2022 after a lengthy illness. He previously resided in Malvern, PA and Cinnaminson, NJ.
Mike is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Mary Sheila Herron (nee Mahony); his son Michael Thomas Herron, of Hayfork, CA, married to Melanie Herron; and his son Patrick James Herron, of Durham, NC, married to Margaret Walton “Gretchen” Quin. He is also survived by grandchildren Chanel Sonego, Michael Herron, Ashley Herron, Sophie Wilbur, Eve Wilbur, Sofia Herron, Booker Herron, and Charlie Wilbur. He is also survived by five brothers and sisters and many nieces and nephews.
Mike was born on April 10, 1943 in Philadelphia, PA to Thomas and Walburga Herron. At a young age Mike moved with his family to North Wildwood, NJ where he attended St. Ann Elementary School and Wildwood Catholic High School. He often reminisced about “those Wildwood Days” and loved belting out the Al Alberts classic “On the Road to Cape May.” Mike matriculated at Georgetown University and finished his undergraduate studies at Saint Joseph’s University (BA 1965) where he served on Student Council.
It was at a St. Joe’s mixer where he met Sheila who he later married. Together Mike and Sheila raised two sons, Michael and Patrick, in Cinnaminson NJ where they lived for two decades.
After earning a Master of Science in Communications from Temple University in 1970, Mike enjoyed a long and successful career in public relations, corporate communications and resource management at SEPTA, Weston Inc., and the Transportation Management Association of Chester County (TMACC). He also loved teaching, last serving as an instructor at Delaware County Community College in 2013.
While Mike and Sheila raised their boys in Cinnaminson, Mike was active in his boys’ activities including YMCA Indian Guides and coaching Police Athletic League baseball and soccer teams. Mike was also active in government affairs, serving for several years on the Cinnaminson Township Zoning Board. He was a dedicated volunteer at Saint Charles Borromeo Church in Cinnaminson where he was beloved during the late 1970’s and early 80’s as the “Voice of the Carnival.” Later in Chester County, PA, Mike served for many years on the Board of the Great Valley (PA) Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Retirement years afforded Mike the opportunity to enjoy golf, model railroading, traveling with his wife Sheila and spending time with his two boys and eight grandchildren in California and North Carolina. His love for model railroading was expressed through an extraordinary hand-built 800 square foot railroad model landscape layout he painstakingly constructed for many years in his basement. Like many a good Philly native Mike was a life-long avid sports enthusiast boisterously cheering for the Phillies and the Eagles.
Though he was fraught by declining health his last four years Mike never lost his love for championing his family, telling joyful stories, cheering on his favorite teams, enjoying a fine cigar, or sharing his charming wink-and-smile with everyone around him. To the very end he never missed an opportunity to tell his family he loved them.
Relatives and friends are invited to his visitation on October 22, 2022 at 9:15 a.m. at Saints Peter and Paul Church, followed by A Celebration of Life Mass at 10:30 a.m. at Saints Peter and Paul Church, 1325 Boot Rd, West Chester, PA 19380. In lieu of flowers please make a contribution in Mike’s name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?sc_icid=wtg-mm-btn-donate-now
Arrangements by DellaVecchia, Reilly Smith & Boyd Funeral Home of West Chester, PA 610-696-1181 www.DellaFH.com