Michael M. Gaynor

It is with the utmost sadness that we share the news of Michael M. Gaynor's passing at the age of 66. Michael is survived by a strong and profoundly loving family: his wife Deborah (Grasso), sons Nicholas and Christian, daughter Anna and future son-in-law Kevin Barnard, sister Kathleen Keough (William), niece Christine Baron (David), nephew Andrew, and scores of lifelong friends.

Michael was born in Darby, Pa, the beloved son of the late Martin and Dorothy Gaynor. He is a 1975 graduate of Monsignor Bonner High School and St. Joseph's University, Class of 1979, where he ran track as a Division I athlete. Michael began his professional career as an educator at the American Cancer Society in Philadelphia, then made the transition from Hawk to Wildcat when he went to work for Villanova University, beginning a 42-year career in enrollment management. Michael rose to become executive director of undergraduate admissions, in which capacity he traveled and forged relationships on behalf of Villanova with some 50 countries around the world. He also holds a Master's degree from Villanova in counseling and human relations.

As a high school cancer survivor, he volunteered at Camp Can-Do for children with cancer, as well as serving as a Big Brother and a mentor with Philadelphia Futures and Villanova's WISE program. Michael excelled in all of his roles as evidenced by his many awards and honors. He was a proud 2021 inductee of the Bonner Hall of Fame, a member of the National Jesuit Honor Society, the 1980 staff member of the year at the American Cancer Society, a recipient of the Pennsylvania Association for College Admission Counseling's Human Relations award, and the Dr. T. Michael Mayberry Award for international work in promoting global and cultural understanding. Together, Michael and Debbie received the Father Bill Atkinson, OSA, Humanitarian Award from Villanova's Office of Disability Services.

But no award Michael ever received pleased him more than scaling the heights of “Mount Crushmore" to win the hand of the beautiful Debbie Grasso in 1986, And no honor was more precious than becoming the father of their Irish triplets - Nicholas, Christian, and Anna. Michael is a man of great faith, and that faith forged the values for which his family and legions of friends love him. He remained humble in the face of great praise and steadfast in the face of great adversity. Generosity, gentleness, warmth, and empathy blended with strength and humor to define his character. He is, first and foremost, a man of grace who broadened the world for his wife and children and enriched it for everyone else. His very memory is a blessing.

The Gaynor family extends deep and heartfelt gratitude to the life-changing generosity of the Villanova community and friends and family from every aspect of their lives, as well as for the compassionate care given by the medical team at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center.

Relatives and friends are invited to his visitation on Monday, August 19th from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at The Donohue Funeral Home, 366 W. Lancaster Ave, Wayne, PA and Tuesday August 20th from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM at St. Thomas of Villanova Church (on campus), 800 E. Lancaster Ave., Villanova, PA followed by a Funeral Mass at 11 AM. Interment at SS Peter and Paul Cemetery, 1600 Sproul Road, Springfield, PA. Michael's mass will be Livestreamed and can be found here: Michael Gaynor Mass of Christian Burial

In lieu of flowers, an offering in Michael’s name can be made to the Augustinian Fund at www.augustinian.org/donate or mailed to the Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova, 214 Ashwood Road, Villanova, PA 19085.