Obituary

Michael Francis Collender, age 87 of Goodyear, AZ died January 18, 2018 in Goodyear, AZ. He was born July 7, 1930 in Dublin, Ireland to Hugh and Nora Collender. Michael, or Mike as he was known to family and friends, always had a gentle way about him. He had a soft twinkle in his eye. He was employed by Lufthansa in New York as an accountant. He was a member of the Irish American Club of PebbleCreek and belonged to St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. He loved his nephews and niece. He was an avid reader. He enjoyed playing golf and walked 5 miles a day. He loved music and was known as the “crooner.” He will be sorely missed by those who came to know him and love him.

Michael is survived by his niece, Colette O’Donnell; nephews, Hugh Brennan, Sean Collender, and Brian Collender; sister, Stella Brennan of Kilkenny Ireland; brothers, Hugh Collender, and Cornelius Collender of Goodyear, Arizona; two grandnephews, one grandniece and two great-grandnieces.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 am, Tuesday, February 6, 2018 at Thompson Funeral Chapel, 926 S. Litchfield Road, Goodyear, AZ. Burial will be in Kilkenny, Ireland. The family suggests that donations be made to Hospice of the Valley.