J. Michael "Mike" Mcauliffe

James Michael "Mike" McAuliffe age 63, passed away on November 29, just weeks after being diagnosed with Covid 19. Mike was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma to Anna Marie McAuliffe and Richard Marvin McAuliffe. Mike, the 5th of seven children, graduated from Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School, earned his Associate of Arts degrees in Corrections and Sociology from Oklahoma City Community College; Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from University of Central Oklahoma (UCO); and his Master's degree in Management from Southern Nazarene University (SNU). He was later honored as an Outstanding Alum from both his grade school as well as UCO. His service to the city began at a young age when he was hired at Public Inebriate Alternative (PIA). In 1977 he was named the program's director. A career highlight was his opportunity to serve as chief of staff for Mayors Andy Coats and Ron Norick, where he assisted in coordinating early efforts for the city's transformational first MAPS initiative. Following his service at City Hall, he joined Ackerman McQueen advertising as Vice President, later launching his own advertising agency Bledsoe Norick McAuliffe. He was the owner and CEO of Doctor ON Call - a 24-hour telehealth hotline. His love for his city, his state and the people in it was unrivaled. He formed a special event company, Oklahoma City Events, where he coordinated large-scale events aimed at building community. He was the architect for many iconic events, including Oklahoma City Jazz Festival, Festival of the Pig, River Fest, the much loved OKC Holiday River Parade and he led the efforts to establish the Oklahoma River Foundation.Mike was a long-time civic leader, visionary, event planner extraordinaire, consummate promoter, advocate, and tireless volunteer of all things Oklahoma City with many remembering him as "Oklahoma City's biggest cheerleader" and one who lived the Will Rogers motto of "Never met a man I didn't like."His community and board service included but was not limited to: Allied Arts, Arts Council of Oklahoma City, American Red Cross, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, OKC Rotary Club 29, OKC Philharmonic, United Way, USS Memorial at Pearl Harbor and Variety Health Center. He was a prominent alum of both Leadership Oklahoma (Class XVI) and Leadership Oklahoma City (Class VII).He is preceded in death by his parents, Richard M. McAuliffe, Anna Marie McAuliffe and brother Thomas Patrick McAuliffe. He is survived by sister Dianna Swartz and husband Barry of Utah, sister Jeanne McAuliffe of Texas, brother Richard "Rick" McAuliffe, sister Mary Stancampiano and husband Dr. Anthony "Tony" J. Stancampiano and sister Deborah McAuliffe Senner and husband Scott Senner, five nephews, four nieces as well as great-nieces and great-nephews. Gone but most certainly not forgotten are his inimitable smile, boundless enthusiasm and that signature bow tie - he lived his dash with class. In lieu of flowers, consider a random act of kindness or a donation in Mike's honor to one of the following nonprofits that meant so much to him: Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School, Leadership Oklahoma City, Leadership Oklahoma and Oklahoma City Rotary Club 29 and the Oklahoma River Foundation. A celebration of Mike's life will be held later when it is deemed safe to do so.Celebration will be held Tuesday evening, September 21, 2021 at the McClendon Whitewater Center, 800 Riversport Drive, Oklahoma City, OK 73129 at 6:30 PM.