Michael Vincent Howe Sr.

Michael V. Howe Sr. (Mike), age 78 of Grosse Pointe, Michigan, passed unexpectedly on August 6th. Mike was born in Detroit, Michigan on March 30, 1948, to Leo II and Eleonora Howe. Mike was the beloved husband of Ann for 30 years; loving father of Michael V. Howe Jr. (Erin), Carrie Howe (Mischa Heemskerk), and Julie Howe Van Tongeren (Drew); cherished father figure of Hallie Lamont (Max), Heather Pizzotti (David), Kristin Gross (David), Dan Burkhart (Laura), and the late Robby Burkhart; and devoted grandfather of 19 grandchildren. He was also a dear brother of Judy Marone Gilbert (Brian, Art), Carol Burgess (Mike), and the late Leo “Jerry” III (Pearl), James “Jim” Howe (Robin), and William “Bill”; and loving uncle to countless nieces, nephews and extended family. Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 13, from 4:00–8:00 p.m., with a 7:30 p.m. Rosary, at Wm. Sullivan & Son Funeral Home, 705 W. Eleven Mile Road, Royal Oak (4 blocks east of Woodward). A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, August 14, at 10:00 a.m., at St. Paul on the Lake Catholic Church, 157 Lake Shore Drive, Grosse Pointe Farms. Mike will lie in state at the church beginning at 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass. Memorial contributions may be made in Mike’s name to the American Heart Association or to John Carroll University in support of the Iota Chi Upsilon (IXY) Alumni Endowed Scholarship, honoring Mike’s commitment to heart health and education and the lasting impact both had on his life and family. Mike’s Story Mike grew up surrounded by loving siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles and close family friends in the Gesu neighborhood of Detroit. He graduated from Assumption High School and went on to graduate from John Carroll University, earning his MBA from Michigan State University. Over his lifetime, he was a member of the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club, Sherwood Country Club, Otsego Ski Club/Hidden Valley and the Detroit Racquet Club. But most importantly, he was a lifelong member of the DAC. Mike was a collector of good people. He had a rare ability to make people feel welcome, valued and completely themselves. He was loving, kind and patient, and remarkably non-judgmental. He was the kind of person whom people wanted to be with. He listened and had great stories to tell. His relationships spanned the globe, decades and generations, and he loved and cared deeply for his family and friends. Mike met Ann during his years at John Carroll University, and although life would take them down different paths, God had a plan to reunite them one day. Later, Mike met Cindy Stimson (Brady), and together they built a family, raising Michael, Carrie and Julie. They shared nearly 20 years of marriage and remained connected through the lives and joys of their children. Later in life, Mike and Ann found their way back to each other and their relationship grew into a deep and lasting marriage and true partnership. Together, they embraced a blended family of eight children and their partners and built a life filled with family, travel, laughter and friendship. Mike was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend who taught everyone so much about life and supported them in every endeavor. As a grandfather, he brought a special combination of humor, patience and playfulness to his 19 grandchildren. He taught many of them how to play backgammon, but perhaps more importantly, he taught them how to laugh—to laugh at themselves, at life and at the moments that didn’t go quite as planned. He had a way of making ordinary moments memorable, and each grandchild shared a special connection with him. The water was Mike’s happy place. He loved boating on Lake St. Clair and could often be found at the boat even when there was nowhere to go—sometimes simply “cleaning the boat” because being near the water was reason enough. He shared his beloved Boston Whaler with his brother Jim, creating countless memories on the water together teaching their children how to water ski. He loved handball and played throughout his life, continuing to take the court right up until the end. He also loved wake surfing, water and snow skiing, and traveling to see family. He remained active, curious and engaged with life well into his seventies. Mike’s entrepreneurial spirit showed itself early. While at John Carroll, he started a silk-screen company to earn spending money and, as a member of the Iota Chi Upsilon fraternity, successfully pitched university leadership on the idea of the school’s first on-campus bar. The resulting Ratskeller became a lively gathering place for students, faculty and family, and was an early example of Mike’s instinct for bringing people together. Mike went on to build a distinguished career in advertising, marketing and customer loyalty. He began at Kenyon & Eckhardt in Chicago before transferring to Detroit and rising through leadership roles in advertising and the automotive industry. Recruited by Lee Iacocca during Chrysler’s historic turnaround, Mike became General Manager of Chrysler-Plymouth and later Chief Marketing and Product Development Officer, helping launch the K-Car and Plymouth minivan. He later served as CEO of Young & Rubicam and joined United Airlines as Chief Marketing Officer, where he conceived and helped launch Mileage Plus, the airline industry’s first major mileage loyalty program. Mike later became President and CEO of Catuity Inc., an innovative loyalty technology company that he led through its public listing on Nasdaq. He then moved with Ann to Westlake Village, California, where he continued his career in healthcare as Chief Marketing Officer of WellPointe and later served as President and CEO of Rennhack Marketing Services and Travel America. Throughout his career, Mike was known for his ability to inspire teams, build lasting relationships and turn innovative ideas into successful businesses. Mike was also deeply committed to giving back and helping others achieve their ambitions. He served as Chairman of the Michigan Heart Association and supported the National Heart Association, while always taking great pride in helping his family and others pursue their own dreams. After a number of years in California, Mike and Ann returned to Grosse Pointe, drawn back to the people and places that had always been home, including the Detroit Athletic Club, where Mike was a legacy member. He eventually served on the DAC Board. The DAC community was an important part of his life—a place where friendships, family traditions and handball all came together. Mike’s life ended while he was on the water, wake surfing with his handball friends, doing something he truly loved. At 78, he was active, still playing handball, wake surfing, traveling, surrounded by people he loved, and still finding joy in the places that had always made him happiest. While he was taken from his family and friends far too soon, the love he gave, the lives he touched, and the memories he created will remain with all of us who were fortunate enough to have been privileged to be a part of his life.

Michael Vincent Howe Sr.

March 30, 1948 - August 6, 2026