After a long and courageous battle with cancer, Michael passed away peacefully at Otago Community Hospice with family at his side, on Wednesday April 22, 2026; aged 74 years.
Dearly loved husband and soulmate of Jennifer, much loved father and father-in-law of Sarah and Craig O'Neill, Tim and Becki Horgan, treasured grandfather of Toby, Ben, Jack, and Leo, fondly loved brother and brother-in-law of Greg and Judith Horgan, Elizabeth and Sam McSkimming, Barbara and the late Graeme Thompson, Margaret and Alan Fraser, Nicola and the late David Stokes, Briar and Martin Horgan, Dianne and Peter Macdonald, Elizabeth and Andrew Beattie, and Nigel Timms, and their families. Grateful thanks to Professor Chris Jackson for his care and support over the past eight years.
A service to celebrate Michael's life will be held in Hope and Sons Chapel, 523 Andersons Bay Road, Dunedin at 3:30pm on Tuesday, April 28, followed by private cremation. In lieu of flowers, donations to Otago Community Hospice would be appreciated and may be left at the service or below. Messages to 281 Big Stone Road, Brighton, Dunedin 9091, or below, where there is a livestream link.
Service details
The service was held on 28 Apr 2026.
Live stream
LivestreamMessages
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I am so sorry to come across this, Michael was a favourite client of mine for 17+ years and he always had such a warm and positive attitude during his battle, I will miss him dearly. sending so much love, thinking of you all x
To Jennifer, Sarah and family. Thinking of you and sending my condolences.
Hello Jennifer Sorry we weren’t able to make to your tribute to Michael this afternoon. We were able to watch it together on Livestream, it was truly remarkable and heartwarming to hear about how very special Michael was. I’m sure you will be feeling very sad but also very proud. You have a wonderful family and very special memories. Love to you all. Ian & Jenny
Jennifer and Family, We were very saddened to hear of Michael's death, I had not known that he had been ill for so long , please accept our deepest sympathy, you will have been through a sad time I have such fond memories of our time at Black Rock and the great Horgan neighbours we had! Seems such a long time ago now but the memories still remain of the good and bad times we had in those days! Please accept our deepest sympathy on the loss of Michael, I just wish I was closer to pop in and have a chat with you, RIP Michael, Condolences, Joan
Kia ora Jennifer, Sarah and whānau. Although you knew that Michael was unwell, his death will leave a sudden and massive hole in your lives. He and you alongside him, had fought such a brave and dedicated battle against the cruel disease that he was unfortunate to have. No doubt you'll have so many special and wonderful memories of him to treasure and love over the coming weeks, months and years. I'm thinking of you and know that it will take quite some time to accept that you have seen him for the last time. However, please always remember that he is with you and part of you forever. Take care of yourselves and of each other. Arohanui Shelley Wilde