Francis “Mike” Carroll

Macken Funeral Home Memorial Photo
Date of Birth:
Monday, December 10, 1951
Date of Death:
Monday, July 2, 2018
Age:
66 years old

Visitation

Date: Friday July 06, 2018
Time: 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Prayer Service: 7:00 pm

Location: River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home [ view map ]

Second Visitation

Date: Saturday July 07, 2018
Time: 9:30 am - 10:30 am

Location: Co-Cathedral of St. John The Evangelist [ view map ]

Memorial Mass

Date: Saturday July 07, 2018
Time: 10:30 am

Location: Co-Cathedral of St. John The Evangelist [ view map ]

Macken Funeral Home Memorial Photo
Date of Birth:
Monday, December 10, 1951
Date of Death:
Monday, July 2, 2018
Age:
66 years old
Macken Funeral Home Memorial Photo
Date of Birth:
Monday, December 10, 1951
Date of Death:
Monday, July 2, 2018
Age:
66 years old

Francis “Mike” Carroll

Mike Carroll passed away peacefully with his beloved wife Kathy by his side early in the morning on July 2, 2018.

Francis Michael Carroll was born December 10, 1951 in Rochester, MN to Howard and Freda Carroll.  Mike had one brother, Howard (Theresa) Carroll and four sisters, Diane (Jerry) Herber, Elaine (Chuck) Grassle, Pat (Tom) Rogness, and Vanessa (Steve) Holtan; along with one half brother, Dave (Marilyn) Ruzek.  He is preceded in death by both his parents, his brother Howard, and two sisters, Diane and Elaine.

Mike was married on June 24, 1972 in Jackson, MN to Kathryn Mulligan and they were married for 46 years. They were blessed with three children, John-Howard (Carrie) Carroll of Rochester, Fae (Cody) Seil of Sioux City, IA, and Tim (Cameron Rolle) Carroll of Salmon, ID; and five grandchildren, Chase, Henry and Julia Carroll and Cole and Connor Seil.

Mike was a 1969 graduate of Lourdes High School where he was a member of the football, basketball, and track teams.  He also played VFW baseball throughout his summers in junior high and high school.  He graduated from St. Thomas University with a BA in Business Administration in 1973, and later that year received his certification from the American Montessori Society. He returned to Rochester in 1974 where he became the first licensed male family childcare provider in the state of Minnesota. Kathy still operates their in-home childcare to this day.

In the mid 1970’s Mike and Kathy took over ownership of the Bacchus Bar in Rochester as well as Benny’s Root Beer Stand in the downtown area.  They operated both until the early 1980’s.

In 1992, after returning to college to receive his teaching certificate, Mike graduated with honors from St. Mary’s University in Winona and started working for Rochester Catholic Schools as a history and religion teacher. He retired from teaching in 2007, and from coaching in 2008.  He was an assistant football coach at Lourdes High School for 27 years, B-Squad girls Basketball for 25 years, and B-Squad baseball for 22 years.  Mike was the 2002 Butch Nash award recipient for assistant football coach of the year, and in 2011 was inducted into the Lourdes High School Sports Hall of Fame as a coach.  Teaching and coaching were his passion and it was evident by the amount of lives he impacted over the years and the awards he received.

Mike battled Parkinson’s Disease for 25 years, and accumulated 66 years in a row of getting a “little better looking every day” as he often said. He never had a bad hair day. Mike played hard, had fun, and went as hard as he could for as long as he could.

In lieu of flowers the family is asking for donations to be directed to the Lourdes Advancement Office and the Mike Carroll Tribute Scholarship.

One of Mike’s final request was that people dress casually and wear Lourdes High School colors and apparel for the Wake and Memorial Mass.

A memorial Mass will be held starting at 10:30am on Saturday, July 7, 2018 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church with Rev. Msgr. Gerald Mahon officiating. Visitation will be held from 4:00pm to 7:00pm Friday, July 6, 2018 in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home with a Rosary prayed for Mike beginning at 7:00pm. There will also be a visitation one hour prior to the Mass at the church on Saturday.

Condolences

The family of Francis “Mike” Carroll has received the following condolences.

Dear Kathy and family,


I just learned of Mike's death here in London. Although the times our families have had a chance to be together have been few over the decades, I've always enjoyed Mike and have been inspired by his resilience and good spirits as he has lived life to the full. Kathy, I am sorry for your loss. May you know deeply the loving support of family and friends.


Much love, from one of the Ryan cousins,


Rosemary

Dear Kathy, John-Howard, Fae and Tim, we are so sad to hear of Mike's passing.  His commitment to children and education, his dedication to Lourdes High school and its sporting programs and his passion for life and living it well will always be remembered.  He will be sadly missed by the many he touched with his life and love.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you travel your journey of grief.


Sincere condolences,


The Beiswanger Family


 

Kathy and family...my deepest condolences on the loss of Mike.  My brother, Tim Fischer, enjoyed an amazing friendship with Mike.  I will always remember Mike's gentle soul every time I saw him.  I'll keep of Mike's family members in my prayers.
Laurie (Fischer) Gathje

Remember the best times, the laughter, the good life lived.


Very sorry for your loss.


 


 


 

Coach Carroll was an amazing coach and leader... He proved it is possible to be respected, liked and be a great coach. Coach Carroll will always hold a special place in my heart... Condolences and prayers to all who love him..

Kathy, John Howard, Fae, Tim and family:  Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this sad time!  Your family and the entire LHS Eagle community has lost a treasure!  Mike was a fine coach and wonderful role model to so many young Eagles!  Mike was a true example of living life to the fullest, and letting God lead his way!  May he rest in Peace!  Blessed be his memory!


Sending hugs, love and prayers...The Kodet family

I was very saddened to hear about Mr. Carroll's passing.  My deepest condolences to Fae, John Howard, and Mrs. Carroll. 


Mr. Carroll was without question my favorite teacher at St. John's.  He had the greatest passion for the classes he taught: religion and history.  It was his religion courses that had the most lasting impression on me because he taught us to analyze what we read and that the most obvious explanations were not always correct.  It was this drive to understand the underlying lesson that introduced me to a new way of thinking and I'm forever grateful for this.  I still remember him calling us his "pupils" and humming the darth vader music when giving us pop quizzes while he sipped his coffee.  I also remember his great fondness for the Beatles! 


I have one story to share.  As we were drawing close to the end of our time at St. John's he kept encouraging us to finish strong and not "burn any bridges".  Unwisely, Pete Wendt, Ryan Hofer, Kyle Eichmann, Scott Allen, Conner Blute, and I decided that we wanted to "leave our mark" on the school.  This involved setting off a stink bomb in the classroom before lunch/recess one day after everyone had left the room.  It didn't take long for the administration to find out who the culprits were.  Despite several warnings to "not burn our bridges" from Mr. Carroll, we did just that.  I assumed he would be the most upset with us, given the wise advice he offered (which we completely ignored).  However, he was the only teacher that didn't lecture us.  He laughed and said we should learn from this, which I know each of us did.  We served our weekend punishment and were able to graduate.  It was classic "Mr. Carroll": wise and to the point. 


Mr. Carroll will be sorely missed; this is a great loss. I will always remember him and what he taught me.  He was such a great person and incredible teacher!


best,


Paul Johnson


 

Thank you, Coach, for teaching me to always "Play hard, have fun".  I'm trying to pass that attitude on to my children, and those I teach and coach.


You inspired, and your spirit will live on through all of us.


Sending much love and prayers for peace.

Kathy and Family, You have been in the Nonn's thoughts and prayers since we heard of Mike's passing. He was a battler, a great husband and wonderful father. The highlights of my Friday nite lights experience for LHS football was that I got to see Mike always there and give him a big hug and I always told him I loved him. I am so sad to hear of his passing but know that he is in Heaven and no longer suffering. He battled and always made you feel good. He had a SUPER wife and wonderful kids. I will always remember Mike for being a friend, a great coach to my daughter Danielle and a true human being that just loved life independent of his circumstances. He will leave a huge void for so many people but I will always relish the fact that I loved him and he loved me. Cherish the numerous legacies and continue to carry them out. God Bless. The Nonn family

The “Big O” was a hero of mine. Met him as a ninth grader at Lourdes. He was a senior. Treated everyone with respect and dignity. Will never forget him and the lessons he passed on to me and those youngsters thereafter. 

God Bless your family and know that you are in our prayers.  The Big O, as Jim referred to Mike, always held a special place in Jim's heart.  Glad we had the chance to visit last summer, and know he is not in pain any longer.


Hugs to all,


Jim & Janis Wagner

So sorry to hear of Mike's passing. What a great guy he was and I have many great memories of him. He will be greatly missed by all. 


  Love, hugs, and prayers, Jody Sullivan 

So glad we got to see you guys at the St. Francis school concert. It made my day. Please excuse our absence at the wake and funeral we will not be able to attend because of previous anniversary plans. Our hearts are with you and your family and tell Mingus (Mike Conway) we will see him Sunday. As always if you need anything we are just a phone call away any day any time. Rita and Pat

Kathy- God bless you. We stopped and talked yesterday and I had no clue Mike went to heaven that morning! You are an amazing woman, mother and grandmother.  We will miss Mike dearly.


John-Howard, I feel so sad and stunned and shocked that we were talking yesterday evening and your dad had just passed. 


God bless your whole family.  This season of football is dedicated to your dad!

Kathy- God bless you. We stopped and talked yesterday and I had no clue Mike went to heaven that morning! You are an amazing woman, mother and grandmother.  We will miss Mike dearly.


John-Howard, I feel so sad and stunned and shocked that we were talking yesterday evening and your dad had just passed. 


God bless your whole family.  This season of football is dedicated to your dad!

Dear Carroll family,


My sincere condolences. Mr. Carroll was one of my teachers when I was a junior high student at St. John's, and I have such fond memories of his classes. He was always so friendly and supportive; his unwavering encouragement especially impacted students who struggled with shyness, like myself. Such a ray of light! I will be keeping your family in my thoughts. 

John Howard, I am so sorry to hear about your dad's passing. I believe my 10th grade was his first team to coach and he brought so much fun and laughter to basketball for us. My favorite memory is all of us girls literally piling in the back of his station wagon and heading off to practice after school. He is truly one of my favorite memories of high school. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Take Care.


Monica


 

my deepest sympathy to all of you, Kathy, John Howard, Fae, and your grandkids and extended family.   I enjoyed wooeith Mike at St John’s.  His happiness and love of life were ever present.

Without question, Michael was one of most faith filled people I have ever had the privilege to call my friend. He was a beautiful, kind, fair and loving teacher and mentor to so many.      Our Family was not only blessed to have Michael as a teacher to our children but, he and Kathy also were their daycare providers??   Kathy, John Howard, Fae and Tim, we love you all and are here for you!                                 Michael, Godspeed                                              Beth Pulford

Where does a person start a tribute to a hero?  Mike was that person to me and I am sure to many, many others who had the privilege to know Mike.  He showed us how to be a complete person.  He was gentle, funny, smart, loving, faith-filled, caring, and most of all, so willing to teach us how to carry a cross for 25 years and then, in the end, let Jesus take the cross from him, allowing Mike to stride into heaven with no earthly ailments, just a good looking guy having great hair days for eternity!    Kathy and all of you, thank you for the gift of Mike.  We love you... Chuck and Cathleen Johnson and family

Kathy and family you have our deepest sympathy. We will remember Mike for his witt and love for children and the Lourdes Eagles.


RIP Mike


Stephen and Kathryn Palen

Kathy and family you have our deepest sympathy. We will remember Mike for his witt and love for children and the Lourdes Eagles.


RIP Mike


Stephen and Kathryn Palen

Sad to hear of Mike's passing and so sorry for the loss you all feel. He was a wonderful man, great husband, father, friend and teacher of many. You gave him a beautiful send off, with loving family surrounding him. Please know we hold all of you in prayer during this time. God bless you.


 

We miss him already, Kathy.   He was a warrior to the end and his determination/courage was an inspiration to all.


 


RIP, Mike.


Dave and Cindy Pelowski