Michael J. Tansey; 1952-2014: Sylvania IT leader kept city connected

5/23/2014

Michael J. Tansey, Sylvania’s information technology manager whose interest in computers dated from the 1970s, died Tuesday in Ebeid Hospice Residence, Sylvania. He was 61.

Mr. Tansey of Temperance learned last month he had epithelioid angiosarcoma, which is a rare, aggressive cancer, his wife, Mary, said.

Through his own company, Vision Computer Services, he was a computer consultant for Sylvania in the early 2000s and helped install a computer network among police, the municipal court, and administration. He also was a pioneer in placing court records on the Web.

The city hired him several years later to establish its information technology office.

“[He] kept the city ahead of the IT curve, making our city government more responsible and efficient,” Mayor Craig Stough said.

Mr. Tansey’s wife said the challenge inspired him, “being able to put this all together for the city. He was very proud of that.”

Mr. Stough made May 14 “Michael J. Tansey Day” in Sylvania and read the proclamation to him in his hospice room.

Mr. Tansey, though not a resident, volunteered for the Sylvania community. He was the Sylvania Rotary Club secretary and rode in Rotary’s annual bicycle tour of Ohio in support of the charity, Medical Equipment and Supplies Abroad. He’d begun training for the 2014 tour.

“He was that kind of person that he really enjoyed giving back,” said Stephanie White, a Rotarian who rode on the tour with Mr. Tansey and Tim Broud.

“He was very tall. He was one of those lovable guys who, instead of being intimidating, he walked up to you and gave you a bear hug,” Ms. White said.

He was born Sept. 19, 1952, to Marie and Joseph Tansey, grew up in Point Place, and was a 1970 graduate of Central Catholic High School.

He went to work for GTE, the telephone company for Sylvania and other parts of northwest Ohio. He climbed poles, did installation work, and was promoted to central office switchman in his 30-year career.

While working full time, he took a full course load at the University of Toledo. He received an associate’s degree, then a bachelor’s in electronic engineering technology.

Surviving are his wife, Mary Beth, whom he married March 16, 1974; daughter, Maegen Ver-kennes; brothers, Patrick and Brian; sister, Colleen Tansey, and two grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 2-8 p.m. today in the Walker Funeral Home, Sylvania Township, with a Scripture service at 7:45 p.m. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in St. Joseph Church, Sylvania.

The family suggests tributes to Sylvania Community Rotary Foundation or MESA through rotarymesa.org/​Donate_to_MESA.html.

Contact Mark Zaborney at: mzaborney@theblade.com or 419-724-6182.