06/06/2026
Kenneth Michael “Mike” Miceli, 74, of Pompano Beach, Florida, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on May 31, 2026, at Holy Cross Health in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Mike was born on July 17, 1951, at Great Lakes Naval Hospital in Illinois to Joseph Miceli and Doris Perks Miceli. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Ann Miceli Trombino.
Mike built a life defined by service, hard work, creativity, and loyalty to the people he loved. He graduated from Community High School in North Chicago in 1969 and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Carthage College in 1973.
Throughout his career, Mike worked in construction and apartment management, but some of his proudest accomplishments came through his many years of public service. He served as a Commissioner with the North Chicago Board of Fire and Police Commission from 1980 to 1993, followed by service as the 7th Ward Alderman for the City of North Chicago from 1993 to 2005. He then dedicated 21 years to the Lake County Sheriff's Merit Commission, where he helped uphold the integrity and professionalism of the Sheriff's Office. His years of service earned him numerous recognitions, but those who knew Mike understood that he never sought awards—he simply believed in showing up, doing the work, and serving his community.
Outside of his professional and civic life, Mike was known for the things that brought him joy. He was a lifelong and devoted Chicago Bears fan, celebrating every victory and enduring every loss with unwavering loyalty. He enjoyed painting in recent years and found great happiness in creating artwork and sharing it with family and friends. Many of those he loved have one of Mike's paintings in their home—a lasting reminder of his generosity, creativity, and thoughtfulness.
A significant part of Mike's life was devoted to the Grove Apartments in North Chicago, Illinois, a family business spanning three generations of ownership. For more than 50 years, he helped build, maintain, improve, and manage the property, taking great pride in its success and the people who called it home. In recent years, he continued to lend his experience, guidance, and support to his nephew as the third generation of the family carried on the legacy of ownership. Though he made his home in Florida, Mike always looked forward to returning to North Chicago during the summers, where he could reconnect with family, friends, and the community that remained close to his heart.
Above all, Mike treasured the relationships in his life. He shared 40 years of companionship with his partner, Peter Ruiz Jr. He is also survived by his brother, Steve (Martha) Miceli of Eagle River, Wisconsin; his nieces and nephews, Steven (Kelly Schaaf) Miceli of San Francisco, California, John (Jaime) Miceli of Waukegan, Illinois, Christine Miceli of Orlando, Florida, Megan (Brian) Pruitt of Aiken, South Carolina, and Michael (Kasia) Trombino of Lake Villa, Illinois, Peter Ruiz Sr. and family; as well as many great-nieces, great-nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.
Mike will be remembered for his quick wit, his dedication to public service, his artistic spirit, his love for the Bears, and the kindness he showed to those around him. His legacy lives on not only in the communities he served, but also in the lives he touched and the memories he created with those who loved him.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society in Mike's honor.
Funeral services will be at 12:00noon, on Saturday, June 13, 2026 at Peterson & Patch Funeral Home 408 N Sheridan Road, Waukegan, IL 60085. Interment will be at NorthShore Garden of Memories in North Chicago. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM to time of service at the funeral home. Please sign our online guestbook www.waukeganfunerals.com
https://waukeganfunerals.com/obituaries/kenneth-michael-miceli
Kenneth Michael passed away on May 31st, 2026
