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Michael Wagner Obituary
Michael was born on August 19th, 1954 in Phoenix, AZ to Arthur and Helen Wagner, their tenth and youngest child. He graduated cum laude from Arizona State University in 1976, and received his medical degree from the University of Arizona in Tucson in 1981. Michael met his first wife, Arlene "Cooky" Handler, as an intern at Maricopa County Hospital. He moved to California for his residency at UC Irvine in 1982 and married Cooky on June 10th, 1984. They raised two sons, Alex and Andrew (AJ), and a daughter, Carly in Long Beach, CA. He and his family moved again to Roscoe, IL when Cooky became ill with cancer. After Cooky's death in 2012, Michael remarried to Felicia Cannegieter on July 8th, 2016, and adopted Felicia's two sons, Austin and Nathan. He practiced ophthalmology for 26 years, and after retiring moved back to Phoenix, AZ in 2018.
Michael was a dedicated servant to his family and the community. A devout Catholic, he was a man of faith, integrity, compassion, and resolve. He was loved for his great and humble intelligence, goofy sense of humor, and infectious personality. He was an avid golfer, and would often share this hobby with his family and friends. Despite his proficiency, his focus was always on everyone having a good time. He also enjoyed running, racquetball, hiking, boating, and philosophy. Michael's greatest joy came from returning to Phoenix to live out his retirement surrounded by his family. He is deeply missed by those closest to him.
Michael was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, and his siblings John Wagner, Thomas Wagner, James Wagner, and David Wagner. He is survived by his five children, his second wife, his siblings Mary Ann Lauer, Robert Wagner, Georgia Harbour, Richard Wagner, and Miriam Weckerly, his two grandchildren Dexter and Anastazja Wagner, and his many extended family members and friends. A rosary with funeral mass was held on Tuesday, August 27th, 2019 at the Saint Maria Goretti Church on N Granite Reef Rd. in Scottsdale, AZ, at 6 o'clock p.m. Donations in his honor may be made to Saint Maria Goretti Church or a charity of your choosing.
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Memories and Condolences
for Michael Wagner
Susan Powers
August 26, 2022
I think about Mike's smile and never ending gratitude to all constantly. My thoughts still go to Felicia and Mike's children. Remember the good things.
Peter Playman
September 2, 2021
I still think about you. Wish you were still here to catch up on things.
Happy belated birthday.
Peter Playman
September 6, 2019
I had known Mike from kindergarten on up but we were destined to meet before we were born.
Mike was the youngest of 10 children and I was the youngest of 7. Our parents lived next store to one another in the 40,s in a small town of Fond Du Lac Wisconsin. Our older siblings hung out with one another, went to the same school and members of the same Parish. When our folks migrated to Arizona a new generation was born. Like our siblings before us we went to school together and to the same church. We did our share of kid's stuff at Saint Thomas grade school shooting hoop, baseball and we played on our football team too. Mike was a terrific friend all through high school.
I hadn't seen him since our 10-year high school class reunion. We lost touched for a while but I finally located him in Illinois. When I heard he was moving back to Arizona last year I was pretty jazzed and was looking forward to reconnecting
February of 2019, he requested to come out to our house to ride old restored Schwinn bikes. What a trip riding paper boy bikes together again like kids.
After our ride home we said our goodbyes but promised to hook up soon but before he left, I had to asked him the Million-dollar question. What is it like to be a doctor and perform such a great service helping people with their eye site? He simply and proudly said .it is awesome.
We continue to touch base and did some texting to set up a repeat lunch date with Janice Hennessy and when all three of us finally found the right date that would work for all of us, it was the following day he left peacefully to meet his maker.
It took a while to hook up and reconnect again after 30 plus years but I did fulfill a want. It just wasn't long enough.
Mike was an all-around guy in so many ways. I will miss him a lot. Peace Brother.
Peter Playman
September 6, 2019
Michael Tidd
September 5, 2019
I will always remember Mike pulling up in his blue VW Karmenghia to Rick and Bob Behrens apartment at 13th St and Thomas. He was funny, and loved to have a good time. We both were competitive and had short fuses .. which would often lead to words that would quickly be forgotten. When I later found out that he'd succeeded in becoming a doctor.. I was so proud of him. I'll miss you buddy ..
Susan Powers
September 5, 2019
Felicia and family...I was so saddened to hear of Mike's passing. He was such a compassionate physician to his patients...and never failed to sincerely thank every staff team member after every single surgery. He will be missed. I will keep all of you in my thoughts a prayers.
Melvin and Bonnie Martin
September 5, 2019
Our deepest sympathy to all of you. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
September 4, 2019
So sorry for you all.. Hills Lake neighbors, Florence and Roger Wilke
Bruce Bogucki
September 1, 2019
I met Mike while he was at St. Thomas, we played little league Baseball & went to high school at Camelback. There are so many stories to tell about Butchy. He was fun to be around & will be sorely missed. God Bless you Mike.
Tonka Lawrence
September 1, 2019
May Michael's soul and the souls of all the faithful departed Rest In Peace .
September 1, 2019
Mike's smile hasn't changed in all these years. That speaks of a life well lived. Rest in Peace, Mike.
Pam Trompeter Aguilu & P.J. Trompeter
John Mueller
September 1, 2019
So sorry to hear about Mike. He was so funny and just a super nice guy. He had such a nice family.
John Mueller.
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