In the final days before he was due to retire following nearly thirty years at the helm of the Benton Harbor-St. Joseph YMCA, Executive Director Mike Ahern was hospitalized in Madison, Wisconsin fighting a lung infection. It was one of the few battles of his storied career that Mike was unable to win. Mike Ahern died Saturday with his entire family by his side, succumbing to the lung infection he had suffered for at least the last two weeks.
Ahern just announced his retirement after a 45-year career in service to the YMCA community at facilities in both Wisconsin and here in Michigan's Great Southwest. The final 29-years of that storied career were spent in the top spot at the Benton Harbor-St. Joseph YMCA, where he and the board of directors had recently celebrated the successful completion of yet another major expansion and renovation project overseen by the talented leader.
Mike had announced in late January that he would be retiring effective the end of May. He ended up being hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit in Madison during the Championship week of the Senior PGA Championship, and never fully recovered. In early June family members had reached out to friends and acquaintances asking everyone to "please pray for wisdom, healing and comfort," knowing that they had some tough decision to make in the days ahead.
Mike died surrounded by family yesterday and funeral arrangements are still pending at this time. Facebook friends have shared condolences ever since the news hit social media last night.
Upon news of Ahern's impending retirement, YMCA Board Chair Bob Kenagy, himself a retired Whirlpool exec, said, "We will miss his truly exceptional leadership and his outstanding commitment to serving others as shown in every aspect of his work here." Kenagy added, "He certainly has made his mark on our YMCA and our community. As we move forward to find the very best leader for our YMCA, we are delighted that we will have Mike's support and assistance to assure a very smooth transition to our next leader."
Mike at that time had expressed his deep love for Michigan's Great Southwest and planning for the next stage in his life. Sadly, he didn't get to enjoy a single day of actual retirement…just the thrill of what he had hoped it all to be. Godspeed to his family in this time of tragedy.
The YMCA had already advanced plans to collaborate with the Niles-Buchanan YMCA going forward and crafted an agreement to that effect in April. Mark Weber, the CEO of the Niles-Buchanan YMCA has assumed the role of leader for both organizations for the time being.
