Michael Francis Doherty

June 5, 1962 – August 20, 2025

On August 20, 2025, Mike passed peacefully from this world surrounded by his family and with his wife Leslie by his side.

Mike was born in El Cajon, California where he grew up enjoying everything about being a kid in Southern California. As a child, he spent countless days boogie boarding at the beach, off-roading in the desert, and camping with his parents, siblings, uncle, aunt, and cousins in San Felipe, Mexico. He cherished each and every one of those memories dearly. While in high school, he began the journey of following in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps of becoming a journeyman plumber; a career of which spanned nearly 40 years.

A week after graduating from high school, he met his wife Leslie at a beach birthday party. They married two years later. They spent the years that followed building a wonderful life together, raising their children Michelle and Trent, first in El Cajon, then beginning in 1999 in Murrieta, California. Mike loved the ocean and rain, spending time with his family, dinners with friends, the occasional cigar, enjoying vacations in Cabo San Lucas, tooling around with his Jeep, and researching his Irish heritage.

Mike is survived by his wife of 43 years, Leslie; his children Michelle and Trent, his granddaughters Ava and Grace, his son-in-law Brett, his sister Colleen and her husband Sam, their daughters Joelle and Carrie and Joelle’s three children, his cousins Nicky and Jeff. He is preceded in death by his infant daughters Shawna and Candace, his parents Leo and Elaine, and his little brother Leo.

We will remember Mike and celebrate his life each and every day. We invite everyone to gather on September 19, 2025, at 2pm at Murrieta Valley Funeral Home, followed by an open house at Mike & Leslie’s home, so that we can have this time together to celebrate his life and remember him.

His family asks that in lieu of flowers, if your heart compels you to honor him in this way, please consider donating to one of the following non-profit organizations:

Colontown https://colontown.org/support/ in deep gratitude of the support, knowledge, and guidance from the community of others there on the same journey.

Michelle’s Place Cancer Resource Center https://michellesplace.org/ways-to-give/ in sincerest appreciation, especially of the Men’s Support Group.