Michael Toner

MADISON - Michael A. Toner, 79, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021, with his family by his side. He was born on April 2, 1942, to Judge John and Lily (Bender) Toner in Cleveland, Ohio. Mike is survived by his wife, Janet; children, Patrick (Mary) and Megan (Michael); grandchildren, Joseph, Lily and Daniel; and his brothers, Timothy, Robert, John (Andrea), Joseph (Lainey) and James. He was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Kathleen (Alex) Orban. Mike’s heart was as big as his laugh, his generosity was immeasurable, and his personality and quick wit was like no other. Mike’s stories were the best you’ve ever heard, some we can’t repeat, but you can imagine it all. If you knew him, you experienced all of this…so much laughter and great times shared! Mike worked as a telecommunications administrator for the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the State of Wisconsin for more than 30 years. Some of his notable, professional accomplishments included leading the installation of the phone and paging system for UW Health’s 505 bed University Hospital, directing the implementation for the distance learning network for the UW System universities and the video prisoner arraignment system for the State of Wisconsin. Mike was also a past president of the Association of College and University Telecommunications Administrators (ACUTA). He had many hobbies including carpentry and woodworking, photography, small engine repair and perfecting the art of making the world’s greatest holiday prime rib roast. Mike was also an avid reader of history books, biographies, politics and crime novels. He was known to be reading multiple books at any given time. Mike was also a lifelong auto racing enthusiast, serving as a volunteer track safety marshal for more than 40 years for the Sports Car Club of America. He spent many spring and summer weekends traveling to racetracks around the US and the world, to places like Brazil, Canada, Japan and Australia, helping to ensure the safety of race car drivers. Mike was highly regarded by his track safety peers and by race drivers for his dedication and professionalism to the sport. He proudly passed along his fondness for motorsports to his son and his grandsons. Mike adored his grandchildren and looked forward to cheering them on at their various sporting events, recitals and school concerts, helping them start coin collections, buying them that one Christmas present they wanted the most that year, letting them ride and steer the lawnmower with him, telling them silly jokes, teaching them valuable life lessons, and sharing the love for his country with them. He was a bigger-than-life character to his grandchildren, and they are forever grateful for having “Grandpa Mike” in their lives. Following his retirement in 2007, Mike embraced his new profession as a self-proclaimed Leisure Time Expert. He and Janet explored the world, traveling to Alaska, Austria, Canada, Chili, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Panama Canal, Poland, Spain, and the Vatican. They also spent many winters in Hawaii, exploring the islands and made good friends at the Kona Tiki Hotel on the Big Island. Ever true to their Midwestern roots, Mike and Janet enjoyed the Hotdog and Diet Coke lunch special at the Kona Costco a few times each week. Still $1.50 in Hawaii too… Mike graduated from Cathedral Latin High School in Cleveland and earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the University of Dayton and a master’s degree in business administration from Edgewood College in Madison. He made lifelong friendships at Dayton and was fortunate enough to visit with his good friends from college only a few weeks before he passed away. A memorial mass and celebration of Mike’s life will be held at BLESSED SACRAMENT CHURCH, 2116 Hollister Ave., Madison, at 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 24, 2021. Visitation will be held at the church from 10:30 a.m. until the start of the Mass on Friday. Over the coming months, some of Mike’s ashes will be spread at places he loved the most, including Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis. and Kona, Hawaii. Thank you to everyone for reaching out to Mike following his cancer diagnosis in May. He knew his time was short and made the most of the days he had left. Mike appreciated your kindness and loved you all very much. Please know that he went out peacefully, pain free and on his own terms. Finally, when you think about Mike’s passing, he would want you to laugh more than cry and smile more than frown. Better yet, Mike would want you to laugh and smile as you raise a toast of your favorite drink in his honor. Memorials may be made to Blessed Sacrament grade school. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608) 221-5420