Michael J. “Mike” McQuillan was the fifth of seven children born to Jim and Mary Kay McQuillan on November 18, 1957. He was raised in Greeley and graduated from Greeley High School in 1976. He attended two years at UNL then moved to Omaha where he began a job as a teller at Northwestern National Bank. On May 31, 1980, he married Mary Ann Lenczowski of Omaha and in December of that year, he graduated from UNO with a degree in Banking and Finance. Mike continued his banking career at Northwestern National where he was promoted to a credit manager, then Commercial Lender.

In 1987, he and his wife moved back to his hometown in Greeley where he worked as a loan officer at City National Bank alongside his brother Bill and father Jim. During those years, he and his wife became parents to two sons, Jamin and Connor. Mike continued working as a Branch Manager when the bank was sold to First National Bank of Ord in 2012.

Mike was a devout Catholic. While quiet in his faith, he was active in Sacred Heart Church, serving as the Knights of Columbus treasurer for 25 years and cooking fish for their annual Lenten Fish Frys. He was a life-long member of Cedar River Ringnecks Pheasants Forever and served as its Chapter treasurer until his illness.

In 2007 while serving on the church’s Parish Council, Mike was among those who formed the Greeley Irish Festival, a Nebraska cultural event that is now in its 19th year. Mike’s passion for the festival, love for his heritage, and belief in his community made him a driving force with the festival. Mike was an avid fan of the Huskers, Chiefs, and Royals, and cheered as well for the Creighton Bluejays.

In June of this year, Mike was diagnosed with cancer. He died peacefully with his family by his side on September 13, 2026. His last conversation was with his family priest, Father Lawrence Vadakkan the night before he died, at which time Mike thanked him for his visit and expressed his faith in God.

Mike is survived by his wife, Mary Ann, of 46 years; his son, Jamin (Michelle) McQuillan and his granddaughter, Abigail McQuillan of Belleville, Illinois; his son, Connor McQuillan (Sara Kucera) of Burwell; his brother, Tom (Jody) McQuillan of Kearney; his sister, Karen (Rod) Wise of Omaha; his sister and beloved nurse, Kathy (Mark) Glatter of Kearney; sisters-in-law, Patty McQuillan of Lakewood, Colorado, Maureen (Dan) Maher of Omaha and Colleen (Chris) Johnson of Omaha; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

He leaves behind a score of memories, including lively trips to his favorite fishing camp in Canada with his sons and friends, weekend getaways to Omaha to visit family and friends with his wife, and countless facetimes with his beloved granddaughter.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Catherine (Clinch) McQuillan; father, James (Jim) McQuillan and three brothers, Pat McQuillan, Bob McQuillan, and Bill McQuillan.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Greeley, Nebraska. Father Lawrence Vadakkan and Deacon Paul Nordhues will be the Mass Celebrants. Inurnment will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery at Greeley, Nebraska. The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the church. The Rosary will be recited on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. by Deacon Paul Nordhues.

To honor Mike’s dedication to and love for the Greeley Irish Festival, memorial gifts are suggested to the Festival in lieu of flowers.