Mike passed away peacefully on October 10, 2023. He was born May 2, 1933 to Joseph and Irene Postilion in Chicago, Illinois. He had one brother, Joseph, who preceded him in death in 1993. He is survived by his wife of 54 years Rita (nee Spallitta). He had four children from his previous marriage to Diane Wilmot: Michael Jr (Cristen), Catherine (Martin), Helen, deceased (Mark, deceased) and Laura. Mike and Rita had three children: David (Akie), Cara (Heather) and Mark (Layne). He had ten grandchildren: Erin (Matt), Adam (deceased), Thomas (Bella), Michael Patrick (Mandi), Tory, Tim, Alison, Neveah, Isaac and Hina, and four great grandchildren: Annabelle, Charlotte, Abigail and Emma. He was uncle to his brother’s children, Joey (Deceased), Jim and Daryl Postilion, and to Mary Sigala (Phil), Anne Lanagan (Tom), Dan Rorke (Jennifer) and Joe Rorke (Linda), his wife’s nieces and nephews. He was cousin and friend to many. Family was a priority to Mike, and he dearly loved them all.
Mike graduated from Holy Rosary grammar school in 1947 and St. Ignatius College Prep High School in 1951. At St. Ignatius, he was salutatorian and vice president of his class, as well as a charter member of the Jesuit Honor Society and an active member of the debate and drama clubs. He received a four-year drama scholarship to Loyola University and graduated in 1955. He attended Loyola Law School and was admitted to the bar in 1958. He practiced trial law in Chicago, Illinois for 40 years, primarily as a sole practitioner specializing in personal injury, workers' compensation and medical malpractice cases. He served as President of The Society of Trial Lawyers from 1997 to 1998, Chairman of the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education from 1997 to 1998 and Chairman of the Illinois State Bar Association Public Relations Committee from 1967 to 1969.
Mike had many interests throughout his life. In addition to his love of acting, he was an avid reader, loved music, played the violin and guitar, was an accomplished woodworker, and repaired clocks and pocket-watches. He was most proud of the work he did researching, writing, and publishing his family history, dating back to the 12th century. He received help with the family genealogy from his granddaughter Erin and daughters Catherine and Laura.
He loved opera and served as a super for the Lyric Opera in Chicago for their performance of La Boheme during the 1955-1956 season. Famed soprano Renata Tebaldi made her Chicago debut in that opera and asked Mike during an intermission if he had ever heard any of her recordings. He told her he had heard them all. She invited him back to her dressing room and sang his favorite aria a capella, “Si, Mi Chiamano Mimi” from La Boheme. This was one of many stories he loved to tell, always delivered with disarming humor and reflecting the rich life he led.
He will be missed by all those whose lives he touched.
Visitation will be at Rago Brothers Funeral Home, 624 North Western Avenue, Chicago on Thursday, November 9, 2023 from 4:00 to 8:00 pm. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at The Church of the Holy Family, 1080 West Roosevelt Road, Chicago, IL on Friday, November 10, 2023 at 11:00 am. Burial is private.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. Ignatius College Prep, 1076 W Roosevelt Rd, Chicago, IL 60608, the ACLU, 125 Broad Street, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10004, or the charity of your choice
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